Risk Increases as Summer Travel Season Ramps Up

Warmer weather normally signals an increase in all types of activities on airports: higher numbers of commercial and general aviation operations, construction projects, and maintenance activities. The increased activity also tends to mean more vehicles and pedestrians operating on airports, sometimes in areas they are not authorized.

The FAA has a commitment to safety in all facets of airport operations and is intent on reducing to zero the number of runway incursions and surface incidents. With the summer travel season upon us, they are particularly concerned about the number of vehicle-pedestrian deviations, or VPDs, which is when a pedestrian or vehicle enters any portion of airport movement areas – runways or taxiways – without prior authorization from air traffic control.

A look at the FAA statistics shows that except for the pandemic year of 2020, VPDs have steadily grown beyond 2019 levels (295) and are on pace to exceed the 2023 number of 308 by a significant margin.

To assist airport managers in mitigating VPDs, the FAA sent out a video guide (link shown below, in the FMI) on concrete steps they can take to reduce such incidents.

Preventive steps include comprehensive initial training of airport personnel, seasonal staff, tenants, and construction workers in access control and escort procedures. In addition, enhanced recurring situational awareness training on critical airport changes, construction areas, safety area boundaries, hot spots specific to the airport, and clear and concise communications with the control tower, aircraft, and other surface vehicles.

Implementation of technologies such as Vehicle Movement Area Transponders (VMAT) and Runway Incursion Warning Systems (RIWS) can also help mitigate VPDs. In addition to the use of such technologies, continually emphasizing and insisting on a strong and lasting culture of uncompromising safety vigilance in all airport operations can go a long way toward reducing the number of vehicle-pedestrian deviations.

 FMI: www.faa.gov, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-_fWCpMdM4