Methods and systems for preventing wrong surface events
Example implementations relate to systems and techniques for coordinating and assigning aircraft and ground vehicles to runways to prevent wrong surface events and to minimize runway incursions. An aircraft initially receives instructions identifying a runway for use by the aircraft generated by an Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and then subsequently receives a runway identification (ID) code transmitted by a sensor subsystem positioned proximate the runway, which is used by a runway-aircraft pairing management system. An onboard verification system of the aircraft then compares the runway ID code with the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction and uses an onboard transmitter to transmit a confirmation to the sensor subsystem positioned proximate the runway when the code and runway match. The aircraft then displays instructions for the aircraft to proceed with use of the runway.
1 . A method comprising
transmitting a signal that includes a limited, exclusive pairing of an aircraft with a runway of an airport assigned for use by the aircraft, wherein the limited, exclusive pairing includes a runway identification (ID) code which verifies that the runway matches the runway assigned for use by the aircraft receiving, by one or more processors of the aircraft on a ground of a taxiway at the airport, a ground navigation instruction that identifies the runway for use by the aircraft on the ground, wherein the ground navigation instruction is generated by an Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT);
receiving, by the one or more processors, the runway ID code transmitted by a sensor subsystem, wherein the runway ID code further is based on the ground navigation instruction generated by the ATCT;
based on receiving the runway ID code, comparing, by the one or more processors, the runway ID code with the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction;
based on the comparison indicating a match between the runway ID code and the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction, transmitting, by the one or more processors, a confirmation to the sensor subsystem;
displaying, by the one or more processors on an onboard display interface, instructions for the aircraft to proceed with use of the runway;
receiving, by the one or more processors, an override message that cancels the ground navigation instruction; and
based on receiving the override message, automatically preventing the aircraft on the ground of the taxiway of the airport from using the runway of the airport.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
based on the comparison indicating a difference between the runway ID code and the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction, transmitting, by the one or more processors, an unsuccessful message to the sensor subsystem; and
triggering an automatic action by the aircraft.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein triggering the automatic action by the aircraft comprises inhibiting takeoff thrust at the aircraft, or activating brakes by the aircraft.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein triggering the automatic action by the aircraft comprises:
providing, on the onboard display interface, an audiovisual alert specifying instructions to avoid use of the runway.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a runway-aircraft pairing management system updates a runway status for the runway based on receiving the confirmation from the onboard transmitter, and
wherein the runway-aircraft pairing management system provides the updated runway status to the ATCT and the aircraft.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the runway-aircraft pairing management system modifies the runway status for the runway to available based on detecting the aircraft navigate beyond a predefined threshold on the runway.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ground navigation instruction is determined by the ATCT based on a runway status of the runway provided by a runway-aircraft pairing management system, flight and ground traffic conditions, and air traffic and airspace conditions.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the ground navigation instruction identifying the runway for use by the aircraft comprises receiving the ground navigation instruction via spoken instructions from the ATCT.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the ground navigation instruction identifying the runway for use by the aircraft comprises receiving the ground navigation instruction via a digital link.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the runway ID code transmitted by the sensor subsystem comprises receiving a signal pulse pattern or digital information transmitted by the sensor subsystem.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring ground vehicles relative to the runway.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the runway ID code comprises:
the runway for use in a numeric format; and
an indication that the runway is for takeoff or landing in letter and numeric format.
13 . A system comprising:
a runway-aircraft pairing management system; and
an aircraft on a ground of a taxiway at an airport, the aircraft having one or more processors configured to:
receive a signal that includes a limited, exclusive pairing of the aircraft with a runway of the airport assigned for use by the aircraft, wherein the limited, exclusive pairing includes a runway identification (ID) code which verifies that the runway matches the runway assigned for use by the aircraft;
receive a ground navigation instruction that identifies the runway of the airport for use by the aircraft, wherein the ground navigation instruction is generated by an Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT);
receive the runway ID code transmitted by a sensor subsystem, wherein the runway-aircraft pairing management system generates the runway ID code for transmission by the sensor subsystem based on the ground navigation instruction generated by the ATCT;
based on receiving the runway ID code, compare, using an onboard verification system, the runway ID code with the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction;
based on the comparison indicating a match between the runway ID code and the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction, transmit, using an onboard transmitter, a confirmation to the sensor subsystem;
display, on an onboard display interface, instructions for the aircraft to proceed with use of the runway;
receive an override message that cancels the ground navigation instruction; and
based on the override message, automatically prevent the aircraft on the ground of the taxiway of the airport from using the runway of the airport.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
based on the comparison indicating a difference between the runway ID code and the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction, transmit an unsuccessful message to the sensor subsystem; and
trigger an automatic action by the aircraft.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the automatic action comprises:
inhibiting takeoff thrust at the aircraft, and activating brakes by the aircraft; and
providing, on the onboard display interface, an audiovisual alert specifying instructions to avoid use of the runway.
16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the ground navigation instruction is determined by the ATCT based on a runway status of the runway provided by the runway-aircraft pairing management system, flight and ground traffic conditions, and air traffic and airspace conditions.
17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the runway-aircraft pairing management system updates a runway status for the runway based on receiving the confirmation from the onboard transmitter, and
wherein the runway-aircraft pairing management system provides the updated runway status to the ATCT and the aircraft.
18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the aircraft to autonomously navigate the runway.
19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive the runway ID code prior to initiating a take-off procedure, a final approach and landing procedure, or a runway crossing-over procedure.
20 . A non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store instructions, that when executed by a computing system, causes the computing system to perform operations comprising:
transmitting a signal that includes a limited, exclusive pairing of an aircraft with a runway of an airport assigned for use by the aircraft, wherein the limiting, exclusive pairing includes a runway identification (ID) code which verifies that the runway matches the runway assigned for use by the aircraft;
receiving a ground navigation instruction that identifies the runway of the airport for use by the aircraft on a ground of a taxiway at the airport, wherein the ground navigation instruction is generated by an Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT);
receiving the runway ID code transmitted by a sensor subsystem positioned, wherein a runway-aircraft pairing management system generates the runway ID code for transmission by the sensor subsystem based on the ground navigation instruction generated by the ATCT;
based on receiving the runway ID code, comparing, using an onboard verification system, the runway ID code with the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction;
based on the comparison indicating a match between the runway ID code and the runway identified in the ground navigation instruction, transmitting, using an onboard transmitter, a confirmation to the sensor subsystem;
displaying, on an onboard display interface, instructions for the aircraft to proceed with use of the runway;
receiving an override message that cancels the ground navigation instruction; and
based on receiving the override message, automatically preventing the aircraft on the ground of the taxiway of the airport from using the runway of the airport.