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The FAA is installing new airfield surveillance systems to reduce the risk of runway incursions. The new system will improve air traffic controllers' situational awareness and will be installed at four airports by mid-summer.
Austin-Bergstrom (AUS), Indianapolis International (IND), Nashville International (BNA) and Dallas Love Field (DAL) will be the first airports in the country to receive the new airfield surveillance systems, the FAA shared on Monday. The agency plans to implement the Surface Awareness initiative system at the first four airports by July and introduce it at numerous other airports by the end of 2025.
"We're committed to doing everything possible to make our runways even safer," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. "This cost-effective technology provides controllers with timely and accurate depictions of aircraft and vehicles on the entire airfield in all weather conditions."Learn more about the Surface Awareness Initiative here
SAI uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast data to display surface traffic to controllers at airports without a surface surveillance tool. Aircraft and ADS-B-equipped vehicles will appear as icons on an airport map that shows runways, taxiways and hold ramps. SAI is one of three initiatives that make up the FAA's surface safety portfolio, along with Approach Runway Verification and Runway Incursion Device. By quickly developing and deploying these new safety-focused technologies, the FAA can enhance and eliminate serious close calls. This follows the Safety Call to Action and release of the Independent National Airspace System Safety Review Team report in 2023.RELATED STORIES:FAA accepting applications for Enhanced ATC training initiativeFAA grants over $100M to airports, ATC towers around countryFAA launches new controller alert tool to keep planes on proper runwaysAustin airport becomes first in country to get advanced tower simulatorFAA enhancing ATC training, deploying tower simulator systems after recommendations from safety review team
Among the initiatives and programs like SAI, the FAA is taking actions elsewhere to increase safety at airports across the country. The FAA is increasing air traffic control hiring and surpassed the goal of hiring 1,500 new controllers in 2023 and 1,800 in 2024. On April 1 the FAA announced that the application process for the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative had opened. The Enhanced AT-CTI will help to bolster air traffic controller hiring and training. The agency will have deployed upgraded tower simulator systems in 95 facilities around the country by the end of 2025. There are regular runway safety action team meetings at airports all over the country and the agency has invested millions into runway lighting and surface improvements at small, medium and large airports.