Emerging Standards for Aerodrome Mapping Databases and Datalink Technologies to Enable Reductions in Runway Incursions/Excursions

The integration of onboard databases with data linked aeronautical information services (AIS) is a task that RTCA and EUROCAE are pursuing. One major opportunity to reap short-term benefits from this work is in the area of runway incursion / excursion prevention. For example, utilizing data link enabled onboard aeronautical databases within the airport surface domain offers the promise to further reduce the severity and frequency of runway incursions / excursions. Data link enabled applications that can be hosted on a cockpit integrated electronic display, like a moving map application with own-ship position, include several new applications such as D-(Aerodrome) NOTAMs, D-Taxi, and D-Traffic. These new applications make use of available data link technologies. By way of background, RTCA SC-206 (in a joint effort with EUROCAE WG-76) is leading the effort to develop standards for data linking AIS and MET information to the flight deck. The committee’s philosophy embraces the notion that users no longer rely on voice and text communications but on graphical products which communicate the information content more effectively, including situations when operating at some of the world’s busiest airports. This is based on the premise that flight crews can more readily comprehend and react quickly to graphical information, rather than deciphering voice or text messages, especially during high work-load situations and most (perhaps not all) critical phases of flight. The same data links used to provide AIS data can also provide up-to-the-minute meteorological information as well as runway conditions (e.g., runway contamination / clutter reports) which supports the flight crew in assessing landing performance prior to and during the approach. And lastly, ground and airborne users need to have timely access to much of the same information, so as to have common situational awareness and thereby to engage in collaborative decision making -- within a more strategic setting. (That said, a microburst warning on a 3-mile final may not likely be effectively communicated via data link -- in tactical situations like this, voice communication is still extremely effective!) The list of standards committees that are working on integrating airborne and ground-based databases by means of various data link technologies include, for example, RTCA’s SC-186 (joint with EUROCAE WG-51) on ADS-B, RTCA SC-214 (joint with EUROCAE WG-78) on Standards for Air Traffic Data Communications Services, RTCA SC-217 (joint with EUROCAE WG-44) on Terrain and Airport Databases, and RTCA SC-223 (joint with EUROCAE WG-82) on Airport Surface Wireless Communications using the IEEE 802.16e link. In addition, SAE G-10 is addressing the human factors issues associated with displaying the information needed in the cockpit for reducing runway incursions and excursions. SC-206 is coordinating with RTCA SC-217 / WG-44 to harmonize terrain, obstacle and aerodrome mapping database requirements with potential data link capabilities. For example, an early SC-206 AIS data link application is to transmit aerodrome NOTAM "overlays" to the cockpit. This application is targeted at improving airport safety by reducing crew confusion during taxi. In a similar fashion, SC-206 is teaming with SAE G-10 to develop the necessary human factors guidance for both AIS and MET data link products; all of their efforts thereby contribute to reducing runway incursions and excursions. A notable precursor to the various standards needed to reduce runway incursions and excursions are the airport trials involving data link enabled onboard aeronautical data base technologies that recently concluded at major airports in Sweden and in Germany. Another noteworthy initiative is the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Joint Undertaking (SJU) Work Package (WP) 9, “Aircraft Systems” that deals with ATS Data Link Operational Improvements (WP9.33) including airport digital NOTAMs in text format (D-OTIS), and an AIS/MET Services and Data Distribution (WP9.48) effort that includes airport and en route digital NOTAMs in graphical format. In the USA, the FAA has embarked upon a Capstone 3 effort to validate moving maps with own ship position in transport category aircraft. A logical extension to this effort is to then add the above mentioned data link enabled applications to assess the operational and safety benefits on the airport surface. Collectively, the results from these numerous US and European research efforts, airport and flight trials, as well as industry standards activities will contribute towards reducing the severity and frequency of runway incursions and excursions and thereby improve overall runway safety at some of the busiest airports in the world.