System Designed To Reduce Potential Of Runway And Taxiway Accidents

The FAA ways it has successfully completed its roll-out of the Airport Surface Detection Equipment – Model X (ASDE-X), a system that the agency says has improved runway safety at the top 35 airports.

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Memphis is the 35th airport to commission ASDE-X, which was designed to reduce the potential for collisions on airport runways and taxiways by allowing air traffic controllers to detect potential conflicts and take appropriate action.
 
ASDE-X works by monitoring real-time surface activity taken from a variety of sources, including radar, ADS-B technology, multilateration sensors, and aircraft transponders. ASDE-X fuses this data and projects them on color displays that allow controllers to see the precise location of aircraft and transponder-equipped vehicles on runways, taxiways and approach corridors, as well as aircraft flying within five miles of the airport. The transponders provide the identity of each aircraft and vehicle.
 
ASDE-X is especially helpful to controllers at night or in bad weather when visibility is poor. An enhanced safety logic spots potential collisions and provides visual and audible alerts to controllers.
 
The first ASDE-X became operational at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee in June 2003.

FMI: www.faa.gov