Airline Pilot Central Forums - Runway Safety Lights

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Runway Safety Lights

Some good news out of the safety world.
Runway incursions were down 50%.

Quote:

Serious Runway Incursions Cut in Half for Second Straight Year

October 8, 2010 – There was a double-dose of good news coming out of Boston this morning, where Administrator Randy Babbitt announced that serious runway incursions dropped by 50 percent in FY2010, compared to FY2009.
“The goal we are working towards is zero runway incursions,” Babbitt said during a press conference at Boston's Logan Airport, where he highlighted runway safety technology. “I'm confident that the right combination of education and technology will help us get there.”
The number of serious runway incursions dropped from 12 to six in year-over-year comparisons, only three of which involved commercial aircraft. Today's announcement reflects a steady, significant improvement in runway safety over the last decade. In FY2000, for instance, there were 67 serious runway incursions.
During the press conference, Babbitt also announced that the runway status lights system at Logan Airport has completed a successful 90-day testing period. The runway safety system warns pilots of potential runway incursions or collisions through a network of red lights that are embedded in the airfield pavement. The lights warn pilots when it is unsafe for them to enter, cross, or proceed down a runway. Pilots must stop when the red lights are illuminated and may not continue without clearance from air traffic control.
The FAA partnered with the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) to install the system. The FAA funded the design and development of the system, as well as the equipment. Massport paid for the installation of the airfield lighting equipment.
Runway Status Lights systems are scheduled to be installed at 23 airports across the country beginning next year.

Those of you who have flown into/out of Logan, do you have an opinion of the new runway safety light system mentioned in the article?

USMCFLYR

DFW was the first airport to get RSL and I was in on some of the testing. The system monitors traffic on the runway and on the crossing taxiways. If something is going down the runway at 30 knots or more, it will light up a string of red lights along the taxiway centerlines. If something is moving on the taxiway at a speed the system thinks will carry it into the runway, it will light up a string of red lights along the runway centerline.

NOTICES TO AIRMEN

I'm more familiar with Logan than any other non-hub airport that I fly to. I think the new lighting will help prevent runway incursions; however, it is still possible for the new system to allow a runway incursion (careless, unfamiliar, or fatigued pilot).

Nothing short of having a barrier pop up will prevent someone from doing something stupid. The RSL system cuts the controllers out of the warning. ASD-X senses a conflict, it sounds an alarm in the tower. The controller looks at a display, figures out where and who the conflict is, and makes a radio call to the plane. The crew has to hear the warning and stop/reject.
About 4 less steps.

Testing it was fun. Besides getting to use a runway as a drag strip at 3 in the morning, probably the only time DFW has cleared someone for takeoff and cleared them "right closed traffic 18L."

Thanks for the NOTAM link Twin. Good information.

USMCFLYR

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy (Post 885238)

I also like the new system at Logan, one of the problems at Logan is the confusing taxiways especially between 4L/4R and 27. Its like a house built in the 50s and you occasionally add on a room with no thought to the overall plan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy (Post 885238)

Let me ask those of you reading through this thread with a familiarity of the system:

Is this taught in simulator training?

Thanks,

X