The FAA and the airline industry are working together to develop new safety procedures, technology and training techniques to reduce the number of such incidents, which can be anything from a near-collision between two jets to a truck straying too close to an active runway. The FAA plans to update some of the terms used by controllers and pilots on the runways and propose that pilot testing focus more on runway procedures. And air-traffic controllers will receive training on reducing operational errors and prioritizing responsibilities. The FAA emphasized improving communication between controllers and pilots and increasing awareness of the procedures already in place. The agency also pledged to make runway-safety information more readily available and provide new advisories about safer practices.
Every runway incursion is a human error.
The FAA recommended that airports increase the visibility of markings that tell pilots when to hold short of runways. Airports would double the length of each of the solid and dotted lines to 12 inches and contrast them against a black background. Some airports have already taken steps to improve the markings' visibility. The runway initiatives will begin this month. Click here to read more of Congressman Jackson's Issues and Positions.