The US Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration are testing a new all-weather low-cost safety device that could be installed at US military airbases and the nation's less-congested airports to reduce runway incursion problems.
The Ground Safety Tracking and Reporting System (GSTARS) uses inductive loop technology coupled with advanced signal processing and predictive networking techniques to classify and keep track of aircraft and ground vehicles. The system has been installed at MacDill AFB, Florida, and at Long Beach Municipal Airport.
As an aircraft passes over sensors embedded in the runway, GSTARS notes the direction and classifies the vehicle based on its electronic signature.
Speed and location are transmitted to a host computer which processes the data for tower controllers. Visual and aural alerts of potential incursions are offered.
GSTARS is an inexpensive alternative to the Northrop Grumman Airport Surface Detection Equipment ground-mapping radar system and companion airport movement area safety system to be installed at 34 major US airports.
A USAF report says GSTARS "is very useful" in low-visibility conditions and for monitoring visually obstructed runways. It says the safety device would be useful during peak hours. The FAA is completing a GSTARS demonstration at Long Beach, where the system is integrated to the approach radar.
Source: Flight International