The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it will roll out an enhanced safety system, the Runway Incursion Device (RID), at 74 air traffic control towers across the United States.
The FAA describes the RID as “memory aid” for air traffic controllers which works by indicating when a runway is occupied or closed. It can identify up to eight runways and will now be a standard technology, replacing a variety of devices at control towers.
The RID is the third and last initiative from the FAA’s February 2023 Safety Call to Action to improve runway safety and reduce runway incursions.
The two other situational-awareness solutions that the FAA had already established ahead of the RID are the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) and Approach Runway Verification (ARV).
“The Runway Incursion Device is another vital tool to keep the flying public safe,” Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau said in a statement.
“These initiatives will continue to address the needs of our controllers by cutting through the red tape and bringing the most up-to-date technologies to their fingertips,” Rocheleau added.
Currently, the RID is operational in the following airports:
- Centennial Airport (APA) in Colorado
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas
- Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) in Missouri
- Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon
By April 2025, the RID will go live at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida, Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California and Boise Airport (BOI) in Idaho.