Assessing the Risk of Runway Incursions and Midair Collisions Without Available ATC

Runway incursions are persistent hazards in airport operations as evidenced by their consistent occurrence. While much study has been conducted on runway incursions, data collection and mitigation efforts have focused on towered airports. Thus, the risk of collisions due to runway incursions in non-towered environments is not well known despite runway incursions occurring in such environments. Airport practitioners at non-towered airports face obstacles in collecting data related to runway incursions. Without the data, it is challenging, if not impossible, to assess these risks. Airport practitioners at non-towered airports have limited familiarity with data-collection methodologies, associated risk frameworks, and the needs of stakeholders. Research is needed to assess the risks of runway incursions so that non-towered airport operators, regulators, and consultants can evaluate these risks while fostering the development of innovative tools and mitigation strategies more accurately. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this research are to (1) develop a guide; (2) produce spreadsheet templates that enable airport operators to assess the safety risk for runway incursions at non-towered airports (Special Note A); and (3) create an introductory video.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5954
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Funding: $400,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 04-38

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)

  Transportation Research Board, 500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Project Managers:

  Murthy, Krishna

• Start Date: 20260303
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air traffic control; Airports; Aviation safety; Crash rates; Midair crashes; Risk assessment; Runway incursions
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01963021
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 04-38
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 12 2025 10:28AM