The Takeoff Hold Light

The author discusses the Runway Status Light (RSL) System being developed by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Airport Technology Research and Development Branch, which is expected to greatly enhance operational safety at many large United States airports. RSL illuminates a series of strategically placed in-pavement red runway, runway intersection, and entrance taxiway warning lights in order to automatically warn pilots of runway status on which they are about to cross, depart, or land. The system, which uses a surveillance data source, uses two major visual guidance components: Takeoff Hold Lights (THL) and Runway Entrance Lights (REL). Two distinct RSL system evaluation phases are discussed. By accessing http://www.airporttech.tc.faa.gov, interested parties may gain more FAA Airport Technology Research & Development Branch information.