Federal Aviation Administration

Runway Status Lights

Introduction

Runway Status Lights tell pilots and vehicle operators to stop when runways are not safe. Embedded in the pavement of runways and taxiways, the lights automatically turn red when other traffic makes it dangerous to enter, cross, or begin takeoff. The lights provide direct, immediate alerts and require no input from controllers. The FAA plans to have Runway Status Lights operational at 23 airports by the end of 2016.

 

Program Overview

RWSL Airports

Runway Status Lights tell pilots and vehicle operators to stop when runways are not safe. Embedded in the pavement of runways and taxiways, the lights automatically turn red when other traffic makes it dangerous to enter, cross, or begin takeoff. The lights provide direct, immediate alerts and require no input from controllers. The FAA plans to have Runway Status Lights operational at 23 airports by the end of 2016.

 

Pilot Reference Guide

Runway Status Lights is a fully automated system that provides runway status information to pilots and surface vehicle operators to indicate when it is unsafe to enter, cross, or takeoff from a runway. The Runway Status Lights system processes information from surveillance systems and activates Runway Entrance Lights and Takeoff Hold Lights in accordance with the motion and velocity of the detected traffic. Runway Entrance Lights and Takeoff Hold Lights are in-pavement light fixtures that are directly visible to pilots and surface vehicle operators. Runway Status Lights is an independent safety enhancement that does not substitute for an Air Traffic Control clearance. Clearance to enter, cross, or takeoff from a runway must still be issued by Air Traffic Control. Although Air Traffic Control has limited control over the system, personnel do not directly use, and may not be able to view, light fixture output in their operations.

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Vehicle Operators Training

Runway Entrance Lights: The Runway Entrance Lights system is composed of flush mounted, in-pavement, unidirectional fixtures that are parallel to and focused along the taxiway centerline and directed toward the pilot at the hold line. A specific array of Runway Entrance Lights include the first light at the hold line followed by a series of evenly spaced lights to the runway edge; and one additional light at the runway centerline in line with the last two lights before the runway edge (See FIG 2-1-9). When activated, these red lights indicate that there is high speed traffic on the runway or there is an aircraft on final approach within the activation area.

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Airport Diagrams


Click to view airport diagrams:

* = Prototype Runway Status Lights system

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RWSL Videos

  • RWSL Demonstration Video

    RWSL Animation


Documents

Runway Status Lights Brochure

Associated Links

Aeronautical Information Manual
Runway Safety Office
Runway Status Lights Prototype System

Page Last Modified: 01/31/13 10:58 EST

This page can be viewed online at: http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/rwsl/