A Field Demonstration of
Alternative Enhanced Runway Holding Position Markings
February 2005
Dr. Peter M. Moertl, The MITRE Corporation
Cheryl R. Andrews, The MITRE Corporation
ABSTRACT
Modifications of the airport surface marking standard have been considered
by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as one way to increase
safety of airport surface operations. This report summarizes the results
of a demonstration of two alternative enhanced airport surface marking
concepts for the hold-short environment. The two enhanced marking concepts
had been derived from recommendations that were made by aviation industry
representatives, the FAA, and MITRE Center of Advanced Aviation System
Development (CAASD) (Olmos, Andrews and Estes, 2003). The two enhanced
marking concepts were implemented at two United States (US) airports,
at T.F. Green airport in Providence (PVD) and at Boston Logan International
airport (BOS). Ninety-seven pilots assessed the safety related benefits
of the marking concepts after they had acquired operational experience
with the marking concepts at BOS. Pilots completed survey questionnaires
and reported their experience in interviews.
Overall, pilots found that enhancing the holdline as well as the taxiway
centerline marking provided greater benefits over the current marking
standard than enhancing only the holdline markings in isolation. This
indicates a general preference of pilots for a modification of the taxiway
centerline prior to the hold-short environment. The perceived utility
of a modified taxiway centerline was found to be reduced for pilots
who were highly familiar with the airport, for pilots with little or
no information about the marking modification and for pilots who viewed
the markings from a certain aircraft type such as a Cessna 402 where
a large extended nose reduced the visibility on the taxiway centerline.
Additional Search Keywords
Airport Surface Markings, Surface Marking Enhancement, BOS Field Demonstration
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