Update on Runway Incursions

In recent correspondence, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Kirk Shaffer, wrote to ACI-NA president Greg Principato to give a current view of FAA’s continuing focus on reducing runway incursions caused by vehicle/pedestrian deviations (VPDs). In it he noted that VPDs continue to occur and are trending somewhat higher than last year.

FAA is closely tracking category A, B, and C VPDs. Category D runway incursions are those that are less severe and were for the most part previously categorized as surface incidents before FAA adopted the ICAO definition of runway incursions earlier this year. Analysis of the A, B, and C VPDs this year indicated that poor communications or no communications were involved in most incidents.

Thirty percent (7 of23) were incidents that the vehicle crossed the hold line without authorization or communication with the tower. Twenty-six percent (6 of23) were directed to hold short of a runway but crossed the hold line anyway. The data clearly show that improved training on communication procedures for vehicles on the movement area is needed.

Associate Administrator Shaffer asked that ACI-NA bring this information to the attention of our member airports, and encourage them to emphasize proper communications with the tower to help reduce VPDs.

See Also:

• A summary of the VPDs FAA reviewed and Shaffer's original letter.
  

Please contact Dick Marchi (rmarchi@aci-na.org) or by phone at: (202) 293-8500.