Runway Status Lights (RWSL) system is an automatic independent system based on aerodrome surveillance data that can be used on airports to increase safety by preventing runway incursions. The RWSL will provide an independent system that uses A-SMGCS surveillance data to dynamically switch on and off additional and dedicated airfield lights on RWY and on the runway entry TWY.

It will directly inform the flight crews / vehicle drivers about the instantaneous runway usage. Runway status lights switched “on” is an indication that the runway is unsafe for entering (for line-up or crossing) or for taking-off.

The new airfield lights, can be composed of:

• Runway Entrance Lights (REL): sets of red lights illuminating runway entrances when it is not safe to enter or cross the runway;
• Take-off Hold Lights (THL): sets of red lights illuminating along the axis of a runway in front of a departing aircraft when it is unsafe to take-off from that runway due to an obstacle (vehicle or aircraft) already occupying or entering the runway ahead;
• Runway Intersection Lights (RIL): sets of red lights illuminating along the axis of a runway near the intersection with another runway (crossing runways only) when it is not safe to go through the intersection. Note that no validation could be performed on the operational requirements related to crossing runways (RIL) within associated SESAR R&D project.

The system is meant to be compatible with airport operations and independent of ATC clearances, even if TWR will have access to the status of the REL and THL, with no change in their operating methods, except in case of flight crew request or failure of the system.

The purpose of the RWSL system is to act as a safety net for flight crew and vehicle drivers, thus reducing the number of runway incursions without interfering with normal runway operations.
It is recommended to implement RWSL at medium to highly utilized airports with complex runway and taxiway lay-out.

NOTE: In ICAO Annex 14, Volume I, RWSL is designated under the term “Autonomous Runway Incursion Warning System (ARIWS).

NOTE FOR MILITARY AUTHORITIES: It is the responsibility of each military authority to review this Objective IN ITS ENTIRETY and address each of the SLoAs that the military authority considers RELEVANT for itself. This has to be done on top and above of the review of "MIL" SLoAs which identify actions EXCLUSIVE to military authorities.

Edition

2022

Stakeholders

Regulator / Air Navigation Service Provider / Airport Operator / Airspace Users / International Organisations and Regional Bodies

Type

SESAR

Scope

Local/Airport

Status

Active