Runway incursions decline 50 percent
October 8, 2010, 04:24 pm
Airport runways are consistently getting safer each year. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt announced there were only six runway incursions during the 2010 fiscal year.
The findings mark a 50 percent decline in runway incursions from fiscal year 2009 and a remarkably lower number than the 67 incursions reported in 2000.
"We continue to make terrific progress in the area of runway safety and the credit should go to the entire aviation community," says LaHood. "I'm thrilled that we've further reduced serious incursions, and I look forward to additional improvements in the years ahead."
Technology is one of the forces that is helping to make runways safer. Several airports have been outfitted with a warning system known as runway Status Lights. The lights turn red, alerting the pilot whenever there is traffic approaching on the same runway. Air traffic control then notifies the pilot when it's safeto proceed.
Similar to driving a car, an airplane pilot has to be alert and pay attention to his or her surroundings to ensure safety. While technology can be helpful in preventing accidents, a vehicle operator is ultimately in control.
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