More Details Emerge on Runway Incursion Alerting System

More details have become available regarding a system developed by Honeywell International and Sensis Corporation to reduce runway incursions by directly alerting effected pilots.

As previously reported Honeywell and Sensis recently demonstrated their technology at Syracuse, which uses existing ASDE-X (airport surface detection equipment model X) warnings, available datalink bandwidth, and existing TCAS (traffic alert and collision avoidance system) functionality.

The system sends an audible alert directly to the cockpit, 15 to 45 seconds before an incursion takes place, via mode-S datalink and a modified TCAS unit in the aircraft.  The alert is generated by the safety logic of Sensis' ASDE-X (airport surface detection equipment model X) and is simultaneously sent to ground controllers.

Currently, surveillance detection equipment notifies air traffic controllers of potential incursions and then controllers must relay the information to pilots via voice, resulting in less than optimal response time.  This deficiency has been a concern of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and has been included in its Most Wanted list (of safety improvements) since 1990.

Since the technology uses existing ground and avionics systems, Honeywell and Sensis believe equipment changes likely will be limited to software modifications.

Rick Berckefeldt, Honeywell's product marketing manager for safety and surveillance systems said, "Only the pilots that may be involved in a potential conflict receive the audible cockpit warning, and advisories are only provided if a potential conflict is detected." Berckefeldt added that audible alerting doesn't require pilots to have "heads down time" during critical approach, taxi and departure phases.

Tony Lo Brutto, vice president and general manager of Sensis Air Traffic Systems said, "With the adoption of an open standard, FAA commitment for signal in space, test and certification, and approved procedures, this capability can be made available at the 35 high traffic density airports where ASDE-X is currently being installed, as well as future installations."

ASDE-X is now operating at 11 of the 35 largest U.S. airports set to get the system.  09-01-2007.

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