LAX, the sixth busiest airport in the world, has been using a prototype system that was installed June 2009. The expanded RWSL system will increase the overall safety of aircraft operations at LAX by reducing the likelihood of a runway collision, officials said.
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The RWSL system warns pilots about potential runway safety hazards using a series of red lights embedded in the airfield pavement that indicate if it is unsafe to cross or enter a runway.
The lighting system works in conjunction with a state-of-the-art Airport Surface Detection Equipment Model-X (ASDE-X) ground radar that collects data from more sources than LAX's previous ground radar system and provides air traffic controllers with color map displays showing locations of all aircraft and vehicles on the runways and taxiways.
In addition to the existing prototype installation, the FAA has determined 11 new taxiway locations for Runway Entrance Lights (RELs) and one new runway location for a Takeoff Hold Light (THL). When completed, LAX's airfield will have a total of 27 RELs and two THLs.
The FAA will design, own, operate and maintain the entire system, which includes all required data processing equipment and software to operate the Runway Status Lights, RELs and THLs. LAWA will not incur any cost for this new installation.
LAX offers more than 565 daily flights to 81 destinations in the U.S. and over 1,000 weekly nonstop flights to 65 international destinations.
