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A study has shown the value of runway guard lights as a runway incursion mitigation tool.
A recent study sponsored by the FAA's NextGen Technology Development and Prototyping Division was conducted as runway incursions were becoming a growing problem across the country. RGLs serve as visual aids to identify runway holding position markings and provide pilots and airport ground vehicle drivers with an indication that they are approaching a runway.
The study surveyed a range of pilots and drivers and had over 700 respondents to help determine how many had encountered embedded or elevated RGLs and the perspective they had on how effective they were. The survey revealed that 75 percent of the participating pilots and drivers encountered embedded or elevated RGLs and 60 percent encountered both types. Most indicated that RGLs increased awareness of hold short marking and reported that embedded RGLs were more likely to increase awareness than elevated RGLs. Pilots and drivers also reported that RGLs were most effective in low visibility or night conditions or at unfamiliar or complex airports.RELATED STORIES:Bipartisan Infrastructure Law awards $200m to light the way to runway safetySafety alert issued after series of runway incursions, FAA urges airlines and pilots to take action
"According to the survey, RGLs were effective as an awareness tool to pilots and vehicle drivers in recognizing where the hold short line is on the surface," said Ingrid Rinker, FAA headquarters team manager of the Runway Safety Group and FAA co-chair of the Surface Safety Group. "The Runway Safety Group will work with the FAA Office of Airports and encourage airport operators to consider installing RGLs in locations that indicate a higher risk of runway incursions."
Some pilots and drivers reported experiences of RGLs preventing potential runway incursions and the survey showed that 36 percent reported the RGLs prevented them from crossing a hold short line while 37 percent said these lights prevented them from entering an active runway. RGLs are not mandatory but this study can result in lead to RGL installation consideration for movement areas with larger numbers of incursions.
"The survey was a valuable effort in helping us reaffirm that the runway guard lights are serving their purpose in providing another safety layer and we appreciate all the pilots who took the time to respond," said Alex Gertsen, CAM, NBAA director of airports and ground infrastructure, and industry co-chair for the Surface Safety Group.