Evaluation of Runway Guard Light Configurations at North Las Vegas Airport

Runway guard lights (RGL) both in pavement and elevated, when used in conjunction with Federal Aviation Administration-approved illuminated signs and painted hold position markings, have successfully reduced runway incursions at major air carrier airports. RGLs have not yet been recommended for use at general aviation (GA) airports. Typically, in pavement RGLs are installed in sets of eight parallel to the hold position marking. This research effort also evaluated the effectiveness of adding additional lights perpendicular to the hold position marking, creating a T-configuration. The purpose of this research effort was to determine if RGLs in the in-pavement, elevated, or T-configurations could offer the same safety enhancement to GA airports as they do for air carrier airports, even though GA airports are smaller in size, are far less complex in design, and have less separation between runways and taxiways. Eight test locations were selected for evaluation at the North Las Vegas Airport. Subject pilots were asked to navigate a vehicle on the airport surface to indicate the distances at which selected lights, signs, and markings became visible, and to clearly indicate the point at which the pilot must stop until clearance to enter or cross an active runway is received for air traffic control. The evaluations showed that the standard illuminated sign performed the best during daylight conditions, and the elevated RGLs were most effective during dusk, dawn and nighttime conditions. The proposed alert zone lighting configuration did not offer any significant enhancement, especially when approached from a 90-degree angle. Of the pilots polled, 60% ranked the elevated RGL as the most effective visual aid for identifying the taxiway hold position.