Study on Installation of Runway Status Lights

Abstract

Runway Status Lights (RWSL) System uses light to send information to aircraft pilots and vehicle drivers to enhance their situational awareness, so installation and layout of runway status lights are of crucial importance. Based on the common configuration of the runways/taxiways of the domestic airports, we analyze the requirements imposed by the applicable standards on classification and installation of runway status lights and, on the basis of facts, select the optimal strategy for practical installation in Runway Status Lights System Verification Project implemented at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Actual testing indicates that lights can effectively send information from the view of pilots. The above analysis and study indicate that a runway status lights system with rationally arranged lights is able to inform aircraft pilots and vehicle drivers of runway safety status and plays a positive role in preventing runway intrusion incidents.