How can you monitor runway incursion risks?

Runway incursion categories are defined to classify incidents based on their severity and potential consequences. Typically, these categories include levels such as "A," representing the most critical incidents with a high risk of collision, down to less severe categories like "D." This classification helps prioritize interventions and corrective actions to mitigate the risks associated with runway incursions.

Catégories d'inclusion sur piste : intrusions accidentelles, non-respect des protocoles de circulation aérienne, et présence non autorisée d'équipements au sol

Hélas, lorsque nous sommes à bord d’un avion, on doit se fier à la compétence et au professionnalisme des gens charger de notre sécurité. Il y a bien sûr les gens de la tour de contrôle, mais également les pilotes et le personnel au sol. Heureusement, quant à moi, j’ai une grande confiance dans la gestion des pistes faites par tous les intervenants. Il est quand même très rare que des incidents interviennent. La vigilance est toujours de mise et je pense que tout est fait en ce sens par le personnel des aéroports et les pilotes. J’ai très confiance en tous ces gens et lorsque j’embarque à bord d’un avion, je n’ai aucun doute que tout est en place pour assurer ma sécurité. Mais j’ai un doute lorsque j’embarque dans un Boeing 737 Max 9.

As per ICAO, the runway incursion categories are classified into four categories: Category A: This is the most severe category, where a collision was narrowly avoided or a collision occurred resulting in fatalities, serious injuries, or substantial damage to the aircraft. Category B: In this category, there is a significant potential for collision, but the safety of the aircraft is not compromised. Category C: This category involves incidents where the safety margin was reduced, but there was no actual risk of collision. Category D: This is the least severe category, where there was no immediate risk of collision as safety was not affected, and there was ample time and distance to avoid a collision.

Identifying runway incursion hotspots involves analyzing historical data, air traffic patterns, and reported incidents. Common indicators include specific runway intersections, taxiway configurations, or areas with frequent pilot-controller communications. By pinpointing these hotspots, airport authorities can implement targeted safety measures and enhance situational awareness to reduce the risk of runway incursions.

Prévenir les risques d'inclusion sur piste en renforçant la formation du personnel au sol sur les procédures de sécurité et en utilisant des technologies de détection avancées pour surveiller les zones sensibles.

Identifying runway incursion hotspots is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. Some of the factors that contribute to the development of runway incursion hotspots include complex or confusing layouts, signage, markings, lighting, or procedures. Here are some examples of runway incursion hotspots: 1. Taxiways that intersect with runways. 2. Holding bays that are too close to the runway. 3. Runway exits that are too close to the runway threshold. 4. Taxiways that are too close to the runway edge. 5. Runways with multiple intersections. 6. Runways with crossing taxiways. 7. Runways with multiple touchdown zones. 8. Runways with displaced thresholds. 9. Runways with non-standard markings.

Generally, airports with hotspots are familiar with these locations and train their staff appropriately, but the primary users of the runways, pilots, may have little knowledge of the airport layout, where they are going, or how to get there. The Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) meeting is an excellent place to discuss hot spots, surface events, deviations, and incursions broadly with stakeholders to better understand the conditions and gather perspectives that could lead to a safety project to resolve or improve the condition. Additionally, the FAA prioritizes funding for safety-related projects, so be sure to coordinate closely with your Airports District Office (ADO) and Airport Certification Safety Inspector to prioritize projects.

Following the principle PDCA Plan Do Check Act it is fundamental to collect data and analyse them. Information about hot spots and blind spots are indeed very important data for us as Runway Incursion prevention system manufacturer to support the Airport not just with cutting-edge technology, but most of all with the best tailored solution.

The key world is "prevention"! Beside all the good practices related to procedures and trainings, both for pilots and airport operators, it should be considered the current frame of mix commercial/military/private flights and congested traffic. In this scenario we shall consider the installation of autonomous runway safeguards in order to prevent and not just communicating the current runway status. Technology can provide a safety enhancement when the innovation is an affordable solution both in terms of cost and in terms of smooth installation for any kind of aerodrome size.

Implementing runway incursion prevention strategies is crucial for enhancing safety. These strategies may include improved signage, runway status lights, enhanced air traffic control procedures, and pilot education programs. Regular safety assessments and collaboration among aviation stakeholders contribute to the effective implementation of preventive measures. Continuous monitoring and adaptation of these strategies further ensure a proactive approach to mitigating the risks of runway incursions.

analyse approfondie des incidents passés, mise en place de protocoles de communication améliorés entre tour de contrôle et équipes au sol, et utilisation de simulations pour anticiper les scénarios à risque. Mise en œuvre des stratégies de prévention des incursions sur piste : renforcement des barrières physiques, utilisation de technologies d'alerte précoce, et amélioration continue des programmes de formation du personnel.

The lessons we have learnt from mid-air collisions further developed TCAS and the requirement for recurrent training. Development should now be based further towards systems that can allow planes to communicate to one another on the ground and also between the ground and air. Combined with GPS this could potentially warn aircraft if a runway incursion could lead to an accident. Modern aircraft have runway entry monitoring but they are independent of TCAS to the best of my knowledge. I also think all airports should make it compulsory to use English for RT with ground ATC. Native to native such as what is common in Paris CDG is extremely dangerous for non natives to maintain situational awareness.

Here are some of the effective ways to prevent runway incursions: 1. Training: Conduct regular training sessions for pilots, controllers, and ground personnel on runway safety, situational awareness, and communication skills. 2. Briefings and Checklists: Use pre-takeoff and pre-landing briefings and checklists. 3. Runway Markings, Signage, Lighting, and Geometry: Improve runway markings, signage, lighting, and geometry. 4. Visual Aids: Install runway status lights, stop bars, or other visual aids to indicate when the runway is occupied or unavailable. 5. Advanced Technologies: Utilise advanced technologies. 6. Standard Operating Procedures: Establish standard operating procedures, coordination protocols, and phraseology.

To effectively prevent runway incursions, you need to implement strategies that enhance runway awareness and situational awareness. These include training, briefings, checklists, improved runway markings and signage, visual aids, advanced technologies, standard operating procedures, and a positive safety culture. To evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies, monitor key performance indicators such as the number, rate, and severity of runway incursions, types and causes, trends and hotspots, compliance and feedback, and lessons learned. By analysing these indicators regularly, you can identify any gaps or weaknesses in your strategies and take corrective actions.

Monitoring runway incursion performance indicators involves tracking relevant metrics such as the number of reported incidents, severity levels, and the effectiveness of implemented prevention measures. Key performance indicators may also include pilot compliance with procedures, air traffic controller responses, and the impact of safety enhancements. Regularly assessing these indicators allows airports to identify trends, evaluate the success of prevention efforts, and make data-driven adjustments to continually improve runway safety.

There are a lot of considerations to fully address runway incursions at your airport. Below, I’ve tried to outline some of the lessons learned I’ve discovered: 1. Hold short of the holding position marking well back and parallel to the runway. 2. Don’t accept any long route clearances from the tower. 3. Don’t give way to aircraft toward a runway, if possible. 4. Communications should be consistent and clear. 5. Communicate your airfield driver program and expectations to the tower so they know what to expect and why your drivers do what they do. 6. Discipline significant failures (incursions/deviations). On the movement area, there is little room for simply coaching authorized drivers following a failure. 7. Don’t hang out. Move!

Despite the operation category of an airport, we shall consider that the runway safeguard is a common need and for the aviation concept that the priority is for a landing aircraft, we shall do our best to monitor and manage the traffic on the ground. Let's take for instance the example of a CAT I ops airport with frequent RWY inspection: in this case the installation of a RWY incursion mitigation device is not strictly related to the volume of air traffic, but related to the inspection fleet driving around or maintenance vehicles if we think for example to the snowplows in a northern/Nordic environment.

J'ai souvent constaté en France Qu'aux alentours des aéroports il y avait souvent des rapaces qui rodaient en l'air ( buses , Faucons..). En réalité ils sont implantés près des aéroports pour éviter les pigeons et autres petits oiseaux capables de perturber les décollages et atterrissages et mettre le feu aux réacteurs .