Automated Runway Lighting

Decrease controller workload by automating the control of runway lights.

Challenges/Solution

Some airports have runway lights, or portions of runway lights that must be continuously switched on and off manually throughout the day, depending on the situational ground traffic. An example of this is runway threshold lights at specific airports in the US that are only turned on when an aircraft is taxiing for take-off, and then switched off when the operation is complete.

In some specific cases, the manual process of switching lights on and off has been rejected by FAA Air Traffic Controllers due to the increase in workload, as well as the unwanted liability of committing critical errors and potentially causing incursions.

Integration of Runway Lights with Intelligent Surveillance Data

The Searidge IntelliDAR Runway Lighting System Automation solution monitors runways and adjoining taxiways with all-weather performance sensors, and based on predefined rules, automatically turns the lights on and off as required by procedure.

Through an adaptation and training process and through the use of advanced video analytics algorithms, the system can “learn” the local traffic patterns such that the automated control functions adhere to the operational rules with a high degree of confidence that is expected of ATC-grade systems.

Deployments

Teteboro Airport, New Jersey: IntelliDAR - Runway Light Automation

Teteboro Airport, New Jersey: Enhanced Airport Vision Display (EAVD)

Benefits at a Glance

• Increase safety, particularly in low-visibility operations
• Adhere to regulatory procedures
• Decrease controller workload
• Decrease controller liability