Runway Safety

Runway Safety Teams

The International Civil Aviation Organisation has suggested that a Runway Incursion Reduction Programme should start with the establishment of Runway Safety Teams at individual airports.

Within Australia, Airservices Australia has initiated work to promote the benefits of a local RST at controlled aerodromes through a program of visits to meet with aerodrome operators and other interested parties. The work of local RST's is supported by the Airservices' Runway Incursion Group.

Primary Responsibility of RSTs

The primary responsibility of an RST is to meet on a regular basis and develop an annual plan for runway safety. The initial plan should contain :

• An assessment of runway incursions

A strategy to determine the number, type and if available the severity of runway incursions at the airport .

• Goals

Goals that will improve safety on the airport surface. Examples of possible goals are:

• Improve runway safety data collection, analysis, and dissemination;
• Increase situational awareness on the airport surface;
• Deploy new technologies that reduce the potential for collision;
• Develop and distribute runway safety education and training materials to controllers, pilots and personnel driving vehicles on the airport.   

• Terms of Reference

Generic Terms of Reference for the Team are suggested as follows:-

The local Runway Safety Team will assist in enhancing Runway Safety by:

1. Considering the outcome of investigation reports to establish local hot spot or problem areas at the aerodrome.
   
2. Working as a combined team to better understand the operating difficulties of those working in other areas, and suggest items for improvement.
   
3. Co-ordinating with the organisations or teams they represent, the implementation of the recommendations that have been assigned to the local teams in the Runway Safety Document.
   
4. Identifying any local problem areas and making any suggestions for improvement that are considered necessary.
   
5. Running a local Runway Safety Awareness Campaign, that focuses on local issues, for example by producing and distributing local hot spot maps or other guidance material as considered necessary.
   
6. Confirming that communications between ATC and Aircrew/Drivers are satisfactory, or if any improvements could be suggested. For example, although standard ICAO phraseology may be utilised, some messages from ATC may be overlong or complex, which may have the potential to confuse drivers or aircrew.
   
7. Driving on the airfield on a regular basis to ensure that all markings and signage are understandable by all parties, and that no possible ambiguity exists.