Transcript Human Factors Assessment of RWSLs and FAROS

Human Factors Assessment of Runway Status Lights (RWSL)
and Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal (FAROS)
FAA Operational Evaluations at Dallas Ft. Worth
and San Diego International Airports
Maria Picardi Kuffner
June 29, 2009
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
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Outline
• Runway Incursions
• RWSL and FAROS
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RWSL/FAROS Configuration
RWSL/FAROS Locations
System Description
Protocol
• Feedback and Recent Events
• Conclusion
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Runway Incursion Statistics
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Runway incursions are a persistent problem
Major accidents on the airport surface are expected to increase
Most runway incursions are the result of
pilot error
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Runway Disasters
• The deadliest accident
to date occurred at
Tenerife
• Two 747s collided
killing 583 people
“The Final Eight Minutes”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/planecrash/minutes.html
“Map Tenerife Disaster”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_Tenerife_Disaster_EN.svg
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RWSL and FAROS
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Runway Status Lights (RWSL) and Final Approach Runway Occupancy
Signal (FAROS) increase situational awareness (SA) of pilots and vehicle
drivers via direct warning of possible runway incursions
RWSL are red whenever it is
unsafe to cross, enter or take off
THLs at LAX
Takeoff Hold Light (THL)
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PAPIs flash when it is
unsafe to land
PAPIS
Precision Approach
Path Indicator (PAPI)
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Configuration and Protocol of RWSL
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Number and placement of lights provides optimum warning
RWSL has two states, ON (red) and OFF
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RED MEANS STOP! Do not proceed even if cleared to do so
OFF: lights are EXTINGUISHED, clearance is still needed from ATC
Operational Concept
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Configuration of Runway Entrance Lights (RELs )
RELs show when it is unsafe to enter the runway
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RELs along taxiway centerline for last-second situational awareness
Distinct from Surface Movement Guidance Control (SMGCS) stop bar
Runway Entrance Lights Concept
LAX
RELS
New RELs
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Existing RGLs
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Configuration of Runway Intersection Lights (RILs)
RILS are red when it is unsafe to cross a runway intersection
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RILs will be a double row installed on either side of runway centerline.
Runway Intersection Lights Concept
RILs
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Configuration of Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs)
THLs are red when it is unsafe to depart
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THLs configured longitudinally along runway centerline
Pilot feedback resulted in addition of ten lights and a second row
Takeoff Hold Lights Concept
Takeoff Hold
Lights (THLs)
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Configuration of FAROS
Recommended Pilot Protocol:
• When FAROS acquisition point of approximately 500 ft AGL is reached with flashing PAPIs
- Attempt to see traffic on runway
- If seen, evaluate the situation then proceed with caution
- If not seen, prepare to contact ATC at contact point
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When FAROS contact point of approximately 300 ft AGL is reached with flashing PAPIs
- Attempt to see traffic on runway
- If seen, evaluate the situation then proceed with caution
- If not seen, contact ATC to verify landing clearance and prepare for an immediate go-around
- If ATC does not verify landing clearance promptly, go around
- If ATC cancels the landing clearance, go around
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Flashing
PAPIs
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A STEADY PAPI SIGNAL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE CLEARANCE TO LAND!
FAROS Concept
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
RWSL Airports: DFW, LAX, SAN
Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW)
RELs, THLs and FAROS
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San Diego (SAN)
RELs
Los Angeles (LAX)
RELs and THLs
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
RWSL Airports: BOS
Boston (BOS)
RELs, THLs and RILs
TBD in Dec. 2009
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System Description
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RWSL red bars on tower display turn on/off with surface lights
FAROS red bar flashes red/white with audio alarm when PAPIs flash
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RWSL supervisor’s display
• For command and control of RWSL and FAROS
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Title bar states version shown
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Three buttons precede the title
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Airport Configuration
Surveillance Mode
Light Controls with Soft Kill Switch
Help and Close buttons
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Click red button to close
Click yellow button to minimize
Click green button to expand
Three sections for RWSL functions (left)
and status (right)
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LAX
Aligned on bottom row
“RWSL Commander” label
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
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Operational Feedback and Analysis
Questionnaires for pilots and vehicle operators on www.RWSL.net
Feedback resulted in system tuning and safety enhancements
Overall reaction to the RWSL systems in field has been favorable
Learning curve increased favorability
Pilot Survey Data
for RELs at DFW
and SAN and THLS
at DFW
% Favorability
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Pilot Feedback for FAROS
Results through 6/17/09
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Feedback collected via voluntary surveys (90 respondents to date)
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Favorable responses regarding comprehension, acceptance, and effectiveness >80 %
Suitability low due to pilot concern about acquisition/contact heights (too low, late) <80 %
% Favorability
“FAROS… helped alert us to a possible
conflict not identified by the tower.” - Pilot
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THL save at DFW: Feb 2008
• EGF301 cleared for intersection takeoff on 36R. About 26 seconds
later tower cleared AAL1116 to cross runway 36R. During
EGF301’s departure, THLs illuminated as AAL1116 crossed.
EGF301 rejected the takeoff because of red THLs. EGF301 was
cleared for takeoff again 25 seconds later.
Pilot
“EGF301 you cleared us for takeoff but we had the red lights”
Eagle 301 slows to taxi and RELs turn off
Tower
Pilot
“EGF301 no sir it was just position and hold runway 36R intersection Bravo”
“Ah, OK we’ll hold in position but we got cleared for takeoff sir”
Eagle 301 stops
Tower
Pilot
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“EGF301 36R, ah, cleared for takeoff now”
“Cleared for takeoff EGF301”
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
THL save at DFW: May 2008
• AAL379 was cleared for departure on 36R and 20 seconds
later MES3675 crossed 36R during AAL379’s takeoff roll.
THLs illuminated and AAL379 aborted. After exiting the RWY,
AAL379 was cleared for takeoff on 36R four minutes later.
“After cleared for take-off, we began to roll and I noticed the RWSL
lights turn red. I looked down the runway and saw an aircraft
crossing the runway left to right (Mesaba regional jet) and aborted
the takeoff (max speed below 80 knots). The RWSL worked
awesome. I noticed that BEFORE I saw the intruding regional jet.”
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FAROS save at DFW: Dec 2008
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EGF5152 did not exit 36L as cleared with traffic on short
final. FAROS audio alert when AAL1300 was 0.5 nmi from
RWY threshold and EGF5152 turning onto E4. Go-around
issued to AAL1300. Pilot who went around saw flashing
PAPIs had decided to go around.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Charlotte/Douglas Airport
NEWS: 5/29/09 Incursion
RWSL would have potentially
alerted pilot of dangerous
incursion in Charlotte
RELs
THLs
“Graphic: Near-Collision at Charlotte/Douglas” 6/4/09
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/462/story/762350.html
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Conclusion
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Human factors challenges included
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Training pilots and vehicle operators to understand that illuminated
red lights or flashing PAPIs advise unsafe conditions
Collecting and analyzing feedback data
Researching novel solutions to concerns
Airline Pilots Association wrote white paper on runway incursions
that recommended RWSL deployment at all major airports
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Pilots trained with NOTAMs, Jeppesen, posters/cards, and briefings
Website developed for outreach and feedback from surveys
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Human factors assessments continuing as we test prototypes of
RWSL and FAROS at new sites chosen by FAA and airports
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RWSL to be deployed operationally at 20 airports in USA
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