Evaluation of Fiber-Optic Runway Distance Remaining (RDR) Signs

Details

• Creators:
  Patterson, James W.
• Corporate Creators:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. William J. Hughes Technical Center. Airport and Aircraft Safety Research and Development Division.
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation Research
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Airport operations
  • Airport runways
  • Fiber optics
  • Safety
  • Signs
  • Specifications
  • Standards
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT/FAA/AR-TN01/103
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Technical Note
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. William J. Hughes Technical Center
• Abstract:
  The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of fiber optic runway distance remaining (RDR) signs. An initial evaluation conducted revealed that the prototype fiber optic RDR signs were a significant enhancement over the traditional sign units currently installed across the country. To validate this findings, it was decided to conduct an in-service evaluation at Pittsburgh International Airport. The signs were installed for a 1-year period, at which time questionnaires were distributed to local pilots. The questionnaire responses showed that 93% of the pilots thought the signs were 'very effective' and that 79% of them thought that the signs were 'better than' the traditional RDR signs. Subjects used the terms 'sharper', 'clearer', and 'stood out better' frequently to explain the difference between the traditional signs and the fiber optic units. This technical note provides a summary of the results found during this evaluation, and suggests that fiber optic RDR signs be integrated into existing specifications so that they may be used as a safety enhancement at U.S. airports.
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/89801/dot_89801_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.30 MB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:25ac685948883dd8a449a1c24db29426e70b55076c6f941bdea67b709f217fe7a3b0fac7a2873590a1020e4441e40c43545e88880c0c93460b648a2057c2237f