Attachment 1 - Runway Incursion Device - Operational Scenarios_final.pdf

Attachment 1 - Runway Incursion Device Operational Scenarios

Market Survey

Runway Incursion Device – Operational Scenarios

The Runway Incursion Device (RID) program intends to implement a minimum viable product device that will be integrated into existing Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) facility infrastructure and ensure standardized functionality is deployed at each site. Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCS) in ATCT facilities at airports throughout the National Airspace System (NAS) use the RID as a memory aid to assist with maintaining situational awareness of aircraft, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic on one or more runways. The RID is a passive device and does not automatically detect or alert if an aircraft, vehicle, or pedestrian enters or is projected to enter the runway surface.

The following scenarios illustrate the intended use of the RID in the operating environment:

SCENARIO 1 (RID visual alert):

In this scenario, ATCS use RID as a memory aid to indicate runway status while the Airport Authority repaints a runway.

The Airport Authority requests permission from the ATCS to access the runway and the request is approved. The ATCS manually presses the runway selector on the RID to activate the RID to display a visual alert signaling that the selected runway is occupied. The backlit indicator for the corresponding runway on the RID starts to flash, indicating that the runway is unavailable for aircraft operations. After the repainting is completed on the runway, the ATCS manually presses the runway selector on the RID again to deactivate the visual alert for that runway. The RID now indicates that the runway is available for aircraft operations.

The RID enabled the ATCS to maintain situational awareness of runway activity while the RID unit remained within the ATCS’ eyesight as a memory aid providing status of all the ATCT runways.

SCENARIO 2 (RID visual and aural alert):

In this scenario, multiple ATCS use RID as a memory aid to enhance situational awareness of runway status while FAA Technical Operations personnel perform preventative maintenance on the runway.

FAA Tech Operations personnel request clearance from the ATCS to access the runway and the request is approved. The ATCS manually presses the runway selector on the RID and activates the device to provide both visual and aural alerts signaling that the selected runway is occupied. The backlit indicator for the corresponding runway on the RID starts to flash, indicating that the runway is unavailable for aircraft operations. Later, the ATCS shift changes and the ATCS on duty is replaced. An approaching aircraft calls the ATCT requesting clearance to land on the occupied runway. When the ATCS activates their microphone to give clearance to land, an aural alert, “check runway”, is emitted through a speaker contained in the RID unit. This audible alert reminds the ATCS to check the RID display for runway status. The ATCS checks the RID and sees flashing

Attachment 1 - Runway Incursion Device Operational Scenarios lights, indicating the runway is occupied. As a result the clearance to land is not granted. After the preventative maintenance is complete, the ATCS manually presses the runway selector to deactivate the RID for that runway, and the RID now indicates that the runway is available for aircraft operations.

SCENARIO 3 (RID visual and aural alert):

In this scenario, the ATCS has reduced visibility of the runway due to inclement weather and uses RID to enhance situational awareness of runway status. The airport is experiencing snow with low visibility conditions, which limits the ATCS’ line of sight from the ATCT to the runway. The Airport Authority needs to remove snow from the runway.

The Airport Authority requests clearance from the ATCS to access the runway and the request is approved. The ATCS manually presses the runway selector on the RID to activate the device to provide both visual and aural alerts. An approaching aircraft calls the ATCT requesting clearance to land on the occupied runway. When the ATCS activates their microphone to give clearance to land, the aural alert, “check runway”, is emitted through a speaker contained in the RID unit. This audible alert reminds the ATCS to check the runway status. Due to the low visibility conditions, the ATCS cannot visually confirm the status of the runway, therefore, the ATCS checks the RID display for runway status, sees flashing lights for the selected runway, and is reminded that the runway is occupied. The clearance to land is not granted. After the snow removal is complete, the ATCS manually presses the runway selector to deactivate the RID for that runway, and the RID now indicates the runway is available for aircraft operations.