Operation
The Runway Status Lights system uses data from airport ground surveillance systems to detect traffic on or approaching the runways.
Two subsystems, the Runway Status Lights Processor and the Field Lighting System, work together to automatically illuminate and extinguish the in-pavement lights. The processor uses surveillance data to analyze real-time airport surface operations. The Field Lighting System provides the physical interface from the processor to the runway lights.
The system commands in-pavement lights to illuminate red when there is traffic on or nearing runways. On taxiways, Runway Entrance Lights show that runways are not safe to enter or cross. On runways, Takeoff Hold Lights show pilots that it is not yet safe to begin their takeoff.
The system is fully automated and finely tuned for safety and efficiency.
Read more about this topic: Runway Status Lights
Famous quotes containing the word operation:
“You may read any quantity of books, and you may almost as ignorant as you were at starting, if you dont have, at the back of your minds, the change for words in definite images which can only be acquired through the operation of your observing faculties on the phenomena of nature.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (182595)
“It is critical vision alone which can mitigate the unimpeded operation of the automatic.”
—Marshall McLuhan (19111980)