Airport Signs and Markings Recognition for Enhanced Runway Incursion Avoidance

A runway incursion is defined as any occurrence in the airport runway environment involving an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard or results in a loss of required separation with an aircraft taking off, intending to take off, landing, or intending to land. Multiple factors could contribute to runway incursion, including pilots’ failure to accurately and swiftly recognize runway markings, pilots’ multitasking while taxing, failure to comply with air traffic control’s clearances, complexity of major airports and low visibility under adverse weather conditions. Situations are further exacerbated when pilots lose their situational awareness when they are fatigued, pressured, distracted or confused. Small general aviation airports are most susceptible to such situations where they are typically not equipped with ground radar as most major airports are to monitor aircrafts’ operation on the airport ground.