Runway Incursion Alerting to Cockpits

Honeywell and Sensis have demonstrated a technology that detects and communicates potential runway incursions directly to an aircraft cockpit, alerting the flight crew of a potential incident.  The cockpit advisory technology sends potential ground, arrival or departure conflicts to pilots as an audible alert using a Mode-S data link and a modified TCAS unit in the aircraft.  The audible alert in the cockpit is generated by Sensis’ Airport Surface Detection Equipment Model X (ASDE-X) Safety Logic, and is provided to pilots at the same time that ASDE-X transmits the information to air traffic controllers.  The runway incursion cockpit advisory technology uses existing ground and avionics hardware, limiting changes to only software modifications. Currently, surveillance detection equipment notifies air traffic controllers of potential incursions and then controllers must relay the information to pilots via voice communications. This new air safety capability can be made available at the 35 high traffic density airports where ASDE-X is currently being installed, as well as future installations. The runway incursion cockpit advisory technology was demonstrated August 27-29 at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.