“The Runway Incursion Device is another vital tool to keep the flying public safe. These initiatives will continue to address the needs of our controllers by cutting through the red tape and bringing the most up-to-date technologies to their fingertips. ”
Gradual Installation
The RID can identify up to eight runways and “will now be a standard technology, replacing a variety of devices at control towers,” according to the FAA. The plan is to deploy RID at selected airports by the end of 2026. It is already operational at four airports: Centennial Airport in Colorado, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in Missouri, and Portland International Airport in Oregon.
In about a month, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, Hollywood Burbank Airport in California, and Boise Airport in Idaho will also have RID installed.
One of Three Surface Situational Awareness Solutions
As part of its fast-tracked surface safety portfolio, the FAA's Runway Incursion Device is one of three situational-awareness solutions. The other two are Surface Awareness Initiative system (SAI) and Approach Runway Verification system (ARV).
The SAI uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data to display surface traffic to controllers at airports without a surface surveillance tool. Aircraft and ADS-B-equipped vehicles appear as icons on an airport map depicting runways, taxiways, hold ramps, and other areas. It is operational at 18 airports with plans for installation at 32 additional sites by year-end.
In March 2024, the FAA launched Approach Runway Verification (ARV), which provides visual and audible alerts if an approaching aircraft is lined up incorrectly for landing. “ARV works like this: when aircraft are approaching the airport, the controller issues a landing clearance to a specific runway. The pilot may believe they are aligned with the proper runway but could actually be lined up with an adjacent runway or even a taxiway. ARV will then alert the controller if the aircraft is not aligned with the runway surface as instructed.”
ARV is currently operational at 85 control towers nationwide and will be intro-duced gradually to more locations.
Strengthening Aviation Safety
In February 2023, former FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen issued a Safety Call to Action aimed at fortifying airport and aviation safety through new ini-tiatives. The three discussed solutions were launched as part of this effort.
Among various recent initiatives by FAA includes proposing extensions to cock-pit-voice recording requirements for incident analysis consistent with interna-tional standards.
The agency has also announced significant investments into infrastructure deve-lopment alongside additional safety features nationwide.
Several near-misses have occurred recently within U.S airspace prompting autho-rities towards timely actions aimed at strengthening overall aviation industrysafety culture minimizing future incidents.
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