A Case for Runway Status Lights at Nontowered Airports

Abstract

Objective

Investigators assessed whether a simplified runway status light (specifically runway entrance lights) may reduce the risk of runway incursions in nontowered airport environments.

Background

Complementing the development of a low-cost aircraft surveillance system, the authors proposed the use of runway status lights at nontowered airports, an environment in which such systems have previously not been tested.

Method

Thirty-seven general aviation pilots were recruited to participate in three simulated scenarios with and without runway status lights. Participants were tasked with deciding when to take off from a runway. Participants’ performance was assessed to determine whether simplified runway status lights impacted the risk of runway incursions, or how quickly a takeoff decision was made. The effect of the provision of system information on participants’ performance was also studied. A NASA TLX questionnaire was administered to measure the perceived workload effects of runway status lights use while a survey captured participants’ views on runway status light use.

Results

Simplified runway status lights reduced runway incursion risk in simulated scenarios when conflicting aircraft were relatively difficult to see. The provision of training or system information appeared desirable but not necessary, based on participants’ feedback and performance. A reduction in perceived workload (physical domain) was reported in scenarios with runway status lights. Overall, participants had positive views on the implementation of runway status lights.

Conclusion

Simplified runway status lights may be effective at mitigating runway incursion risk.

Application

These findings support the continued study of runway status lights at more airports, including nontowered airports.