Runway Incursions
An incursion is the phenomenon where an unauthorized object, person, or plane occupies the runway. This exposes the airport to numerous risks such as the collision of planes and run over by incoming planes in case of an individual.
How Is It a Challenge for GCAA/ UAE?
A good number of events have been accounted for in the world where mishaps have taken place due to runway incursion. A number of the causes of these phenomenons include parking of planes on the runway due to clogging or lack of parking slots. It creates a problem for landing and taking off activities. This is a huge challenge in general Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Due to the high figures of calamities experienced in this region, there is need to develop innovative procedures and mechanisms that will see this number reduce. In addition, bringing this phenomenon to a stop helps to create a healthy and serene working environment for players.
Statistics to Justify Importance
For the previous eight months, UAE has encountered the following accidents which includes the October -28 incursions, November-23 incursions, December-20 incursions, January-21 incursions, February-21 incursions, March-20 incursions, April-11 incursions and May-1 incursion. In the year 2012, A-320 plane landed on runway 12l and moved though M9 a high speed runway. Later, the pilot was instructed to move towards taxiway mike M11 where it came close to Runway 12L where B-777 was taking off. Thus, it is an important issue to be looked at by the firm.
Actions by GCAA in recent past
To bring down the figure of sortie will have a significant and direct outcome on profits and time management in the landing field. GCAA has introduced some measures such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS–B) to help locate the position of the plane at any given time. This appraise has enabled to replace the radar that has been in application for a long time. Other planes can also access this information hence able to undertake the necessary actions to avert an oncoming collision. However, the plan leaves space for step up in the sagacity that it caters for the planes. On the contrary, populace and substances are not catered for by the system. Thus, systems that will help give warning to any person or plane that approaches the runways are essential (Chang and Wong 2012). One of the systems that can do this work includes the installation of airport surface detection equipments coupled with proper lighting, marking, and signage.
The Proposed Solution by GCAA
A numeral of motives on the airstrip contributes to runway incursion. The first factor includes wrong or worn out signage’s that directs pilots to the right direction in most UAE airports. This set out hand in hand with the illumination and marking of the landing strip. If these aspects are well taken care of, the figure of incursion would go down. The lighting of the entire airport especially the runway should be in such a manner that individual pilots recognize the direction or path to take when landing or taking off. By doing this, many accidents that would see pilots take the wrong path/route when landing will be avoided. The marking of the paths should also follow the international principles and precise color codes which enable players to conduct their duties with diligence and care. This is the first move of safety that will see pilots make the right decisions in regards to parking their planes. Runaway incursion is a problem that can be overcome through proper planning. The runaways should be closely monitored to in order to make sure that it is safe for landing and taking off. Airports should ensure to take the traffic that it can handle without any inconveniences. This will minimize the likelihood of collisions from occurring. There should also be the provision of enough parking spaces in UAE for the planes to prevent an incidence where a plane is parked along the runway.
Additionally Proposed Solutions
A system where the pilot is informed in good time of an object on the highway should also be put into place such that he or she is able to make a radical and informed landing decision. An example of the system includes Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast and GPRS monitoring of the runway. This will save life and unnecessary delays that may occur as a result of the accidents. As we progress into the future, the level of traffic In UAE is expected to grow and the airports must be able to plan for the same. This would include expanding their parking spaces capacity, improving on their airport management for the people (Squire et al., 2010). There are some circumstances that are beyond the control of the airport management within GCAA such as bad weather conditions. The pilots should be informed of the situation in good time so that they can be prepared for the same. The ability of an airport to keep its passengers safe will determine the loyalty of its passenger which contributes to higher profitability.
Passengers should also alight and board the plane at designated places. This helps avoid collision or creating problems in this sector as traffic operators try to ease congestion (Ju 2011). A signage directs and warns players against taking certain directions. Thus, without this signage, an airport is deemed to experience multiple accidents that may claim of people’s lives. Therefore, UAE will invest more on the signs and other attributes that facilitates visualization and positioning of the right path. Massive investments in these features eliminate instances of doubts and irrational decision making. For objects, tightening security within the airport may help eliminate any object coming close or along the runway. It infers that in case of any object spotted on the runway, the security agents will alert the control panels. The panel will give warning to pilots hence avoiding unfathomed outcomes.
References
Chang, Y. and Wong, K. (2012). Human risk factors associated with runway incursions. Journal of Air Transport Management, 24, pp.25-30.
Ju, Z. (2011). Reason Analysis of Runway Incursions Based on Grey Theory. AMR, 328-330, pp.2400-2404.
Squire, P., Barrow, J., Durkee, K., Smith, C., Moore, J. and Parasuraman, R. (2010). RIMDAS: A Proposed System for Reducing Runway Incursions. Ergonomics in Design: The Quarterly of Human Factors Applications, 18(2), pp.10-17.