The FAA wants a bargain version of a successful lighting system that advises pilots of runway activity at 20 of the busiest airports. The Runway Status Lights System consists of different colored lights embedded in the pavement and concrete of taxiways and it works really well. It’s also really expensive and disruptive to install. “That is why we are seeking information on new and commercially available runway safety lighting system options that can be deployed and operational within the next 2-3 years,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford in an FAA press release.
That kind of timeline rules out ripping up hard surfaces all over the country, so it would seem some sort of system involving lights on the edge of the maneuvering areas and at intersections is in the cards. The agency isn’t prejudging what the new system might look like and is calling for ideas from the private sector through a Request For Information. Bedford said the goal is to cut the number of close calls on the ground at airports. “Situational awareness provided by this system is vital in maintaining the safety of the National Airspace System,” Bedford said.
Russ, I think your read is fair. The FAA’s 2–3 year window does make embedded systems unlikely, but the release keeps it broad. I am reminded of my years in the ’60s designing fixtures in Los Angeles with different lamp technologies as a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society. From that perspective, IES, with standards like ANSI/IES RP-37, the recommended practice for lighting airport outdoor environments covering visibility, glare control, and human factors, seems the natural partner to help FAA set the criteria. I am somewhat surprised the FAA has not already approached the IES for guidance. Otherwise we risk a patchwork of “bargain” systems that vary from airport to airport instead of a trusted, uniform solution.
Cost and repairability/replaceability I think it must be L.E.D. edge of taxiways/runways that will work. Possibly consider sequenced directional control for challenging/confusing intersections with really bright red ones for hold short lines/areas as red is universally recognized as STOP. My 2 cents worth.
Slow Saturday
The FAA wants a cheaper way to expand Runway Status Lights (RWSL) beyond the 20 airports that already have them.
#1. Wired (current): Works well, but trenching and vault work make it our 100% cost baseline.
#2. Low-voltage (concept): About 70% of that cost, same FAA-approved fixtures, same safety, less digging, likely similar maintenance.
#3. Solar (concept): Around 60% upfront, but would need new fixture designs and 5–6 years of certification. In the long run, batteries and upkeep make it 10–20% more expensive.
Winner: #2. Low-voltage looks like the sweet spot, it keeps the same lights pilots presently recognize while trimming the cost.
Up in Masset, B.C. smudge pots were a favourite as they could be procured locally at any goodwill store and with different coloured chimneys would be ideal. operational costs would be limited to a part-time employee filling lamp oil now and then. In bright lighting situations coloured flip cards (remotely controlled) would work well as long as they were waterproofed. Dollarama would be a good source of coloured cardstock.
Tom, only in B.C. would smudge pots and Dollarama cardstock make it onto the RWSL menu. 😂 Gotta admit, that kind of Canuck ingenuity would keep the lights on through a Masset winter. Canucks rule!
Thanks Raf–what’s not to like, Eh? BTW, where’s A.J. when we need some clarification on this?
A.J., wherever you are, these threads are too quiet without you. Come on back.
It just seems odd to me that the FAA has to reach out to the public for lighting suggestions. The actually do have teams of intelligent folks including engineers that should be able to figure that out. Although they are now short one of those intelligent folks since I retired some years ago.
LED Lighting Solutions, Inc makes a two-sided LED solar powered light in various colors as a stand-alone, epoxy-fixed centerline or edge line light assembly. It’s low, relatively flat, 4″ X 4″ square assembly that will last without maintenance or replacement for 3-5 years. We used them to assist pilots in ground ops for dark or unlit areas of the ramp. Cost about $30.00 each.
Flight Light, Inc is selling what looks like the same thing with FAA approvals in place for $75.00 each.
Either way, durable, no trenching, no wiring, and easy to install and replace.
Tom Waarne gets my vote. Alternatively: Tea-lights.
Thanks Jason. I think that adding large emojis’ to the flip cards would pique the interests of the taxiing pilots, not knowing whether they’d get a happy face or a sourpuss. Tealights Eh?
Looking for ideas? Laser Level Technology type laser lines across the taxiway to make the Hold Short Lines Red or Green. They would work with any weather and are very good attention getters, especially when the whole Hold Short Line sequence is lit up. Still need wires but do not need to put wires or holes in the pavement. Just two post about a foot high or either side of each taxiway/runway intersection far enough away the snow plows don’t take them out.
The laser would also cause a glow affect in poor visibility fog and rain when you need signalling the most.
The holes in taxiways are not the issue. The cabling running to those lights, providing power and/or control all the way from the tower’s switch panel – that’s where the digging really begins.
But if you want a signalling system, that’s what you are going to need to consider.
In terms of the lights, please just make it look like the rest of the world – the “ring of red” lines across holding points. Keep it standard if you don’t want pilots to make mistakes.
Green leading lights are a nice to have, but the ring of red is what you need to stop the incursions.
Forget about more/different lights and come up with a secure standard for safe-taxi in a connected cockpit with 2 way messaging (maybe text, maybe cockpit lights, maybe voice, maybe vibrating seat cushions…).
Imagine if the taxi route showed up on your iPad with the active magenta segment and little stop signs (controlled by ground) at the end of segment for hold short.
There is an architectural shift needed at airports. Right now, most lighting systems are “remotely switched”. For example, when you turn on the runway lights, a master switch energizes the circuits for all of the lights. It also means that those power feeds can’t be used for other purposes greatly increasing the cost of installing things like in pavement lights.
The technology exists to locally switch individual lights. In this environment, a remote system instructs the individual lights to come on, set color, etc. With the power bus always energized and a network to control the individual lights, it suddenly becomes possible to very inexpensively do a number to things:
1. Dynamically change the colors of lights. Would Air Canada have almost landed on a taxiway if the parallel runway had a red border instead of being dark?
2. The guard lights at runway hold short lines could change color (perhaps to red) and flash pattern based runway status. (The subject being discussed.)
3. Devices can be placed around the airport for physical security (especially at Part 139 airports), personal safety, and communications.
Etc.
Colored high-visibility reflectors? Much cheaper, but would they be effective enough?