Shanghai Airport (Group) Co Ltd

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport trials runway status lights system

Released：2024-05-15

A lights status system – similar to intelligent traffic lights but used on aircraft runways – has begun trial operations at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in East China's Shanghai city.
Using data on flight area scenes and terminal traffic conditions, the system automatically communicates information to pilots and vehicle drivers through light signals.
It provides accurate and timely runway occupancy updates to assist air traffic control towers in guiding aircraft through runway crossings and takeoffs.
When activated, the runway status lights system is estimated to reduce the likelihood of runway incursions by 70 percent, complementing traditional air traffic control commands and providing extra assurance of airport operational safety.
Consisting of 22 sets of runway approach lights and four sets of takeoff waiting lights, the runway status lights system at Hongqiao Airport is equipped with operating procedures. These are tailored to the requirements and industry standards of China's civil aviation operations, filling a gap in the domestic field of intelligent navigation light control systems.