BWI, SFO the Latest Airports to Implement Runway Status Lights

April 4, 2017

Pilots operating at 20 U.S. airports must be aware of a new, red-light system rolled out to improve runway safety and mitigate runway incursions. Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) and San Francisco International (SFO) are the latest airports to implement runway status lights (RWSLs).

View FAA’s full list of RWSL airports.

“RWSLs are embedded in the pavement of runways and taxiways and provide a second layer of protection to alert pilots when a runway is unsafe to enter or cross or when it is not safe to initiate a take-off roll,” said Jim Fee, FAA’s manager of runway safety.

“The lights automatically turn red indicating when a runway is occupied by another aircraft or ground vehicle,” he added. “The system is completely independent of controllers, and it utilizes airport surveillance sensors to illuminate the signals.”

Runway entrance lights are located at runway entrances to indicate that a runway is not safe to enter or cross, while takeoff hold lights (THL) are located on runway centerlines and indicate that it is not safe to takeoff.

It is critical to note that from their vantage point in the tower, air traffic controllers do not see the lights as pilots or ground vehicle operators do. Although it may seem awkward to question a controller, pilots must obey red RWSLs, even if their actions contradict ATC instructions.

RWSLs were featured in an NBAA Flight Plan podcast, which highlighted an incident at McCarran International Airport (LAS) where one aircraft was cleared for takeoff by a controller, but due to incorrect coordination and loss of situational awareness, a second controller cleared another aircraft – a business jet – for takeoff on a conflicting runway.

 
The THLs illuminated red to the business aircraft, however it still proceeded to takeoff, resulting in a runway incursion. The business aircraft pilot later confirmed that he saw the red RWSL, but incorrectly assumed the controller did as well and followed the takeoff clearance.

The system successfully prevented a runway incursion in another recent event where an aircraft crossed a runway without proper clearance. Another pilot saw red lights and stopped, told ATC the RWSLs were red and asked for additional instructions before proceeding.

“A key to remember is if you’re given a clearance to take off, line up and wait, or cross a runway and the lights are red – stop,” said Bridget Gee Singratanakul, head of runway safety for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. “Tell ATC that the lights are red and you need to confirm instructions. Do not roll on red.”