Runway Incursion Statistics

While it is difficult to eliminate runway incursions, technology offers the means for both controllers and flight crews to create situational awareness of runway incursions in sufficient time to prevent accidents. Consequently, the FAA is taking actions that will identify and implement technology solutions, in conjunction with training and procedural evaluation and changes, to reduce runway accidents. Recently established programs that address runway incursions center on identifying the potential severity of an incursion and reducing the likelihood of incursions through training, technology, communications, procedures, airport signs/marking/lighting, data analysis, and developing local solutions. The FAA’s initiatives include:

• Promoting aviation community participation in runway safety activities and solutions.
• Appointing nine regional Runway Safety Program Managers.
• Providing training, education, and awareness for pilots, controllers, and vehicle operators.
• Publishing an advisory circular for airport surface operations.
• Increasing the visibility of runway hold line markings.
• Reviewing pilot-controller phraseology.
• Providing foreign air carrier pilot training, education, and awareness.
• Requiring all pilot checks, certifications, and flight reviews to incorporate performance evaluations of ground operations and test for knowledge.
• Increasing runway incursion action team site visits.
• Deploying high-technology operational systems such as the Airport Surface Detection Equipment3 (ASDE-3) and Airport Surface Detection Equipment-X (ASDE-X).
• Evaluating cockpit display avionics to provide direct warning capability to flight crew(s) of both large and small aircraft operators.

Statistics compiled for 2004 show that there were 310 runway incursions, down from 332 in 2003. The number of Category A and Category B runway incursions, in which there is significant potential for collision, declined steadily from 2000 through 2003. There were less than half as many such events in 2003 as in 2000. The number of Category A incursions, in which separation decreases and participants take extreme action to narrowly avoid a collision, or in which a collision occurs, dropped to 10 per year.