The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding its commitment to aviation safety with a major technology rollout. Over the next two years, the agency will install FAA runway safety technology—specifically the Runway Incursion Device (RID)—at more than 70 airports across the United States. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to prevent runway incursions, reduce human error, and equip air traffic controllers with cutting-edge surface surveillance tools.
What Is the Runway Incursion Device (RID)?
An aerial view of planes taxiing at Boston Airport | Photo: Wirestock
The Runway Incursion Device is a system designed to alert air traffic controllers when a runway is occupied or closed. It functions as a real-time awareness tool, improving surface safety by signaling potentially hazardous conditions that may lead to aircraft or vehicle incursions. The RID can monitor up to eight runways at a time and is set to become a standardized part of tower operations, replacing various older technologies.
“The Runway Incursion Device is another vital tool to keep the flying public safe,” said Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. “These initiatives will continue to address the needs of our controllers by cutting through the red tape and bringing the most up-to-date technologies to their fingertips.”
Deployment Timeline and Current Status
The FAA has committed to installing RID at 74 airports by the end of 2026. The system is already live at four locations:
- Centennial Airport (Colorado)
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (Texas)
- Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (Missouri)
- Portland International Airport (Oregon)
In the coming weeks, the technology will also go live at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Florida), Hollywood Burbank Airport (California), and Boise Airport (Idaho).
Comparing the FAA’s Surface Safety Technologies
| Technology | Description | Current Deployment | Planned Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runway Incursion Device (RID) | Alerts controllers when a runway is occupied or closed; monitors up to eight runways | Operational at 4 airports | 74 total airports by end of 2026 |
| Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) | Uses ADS-B to show surface traffic on airport maps with aircraft/vehicle icons | Operational at 18 airports | 50 total airports by end of 2025 |
| Approach Runway Verification (ARV) | Issues alerts if an aircraft is aligned with the wrong runway or taxiway | Operational at 85 control towers | Continued expansion planned |
Why This Matters Now
A crowded runway of departures
The push for upgraded FAA runway safety technology comes amid heightened concerns over runway incursions and near-miss incidents. In February 2023, then-Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen issued a national Safety Call to Action, emphasizing the need for proactive solutions to strengthen the country’s aviation safety culture.
While U.S. aviation remains among the safest in the world, several high-profile near-collisions and surface incidents in recent years have spotlighted the need for more robust situational awareness tools at busy and mid-sized airports alike.
Additional FAA Safety Measures
The FAA’s safety commitment extends beyond runway technology. Other recent initiatives include:
- Proposing expanded cockpit voice recorder requirements to improve incident investigations
- Allocating hundreds of millions of dollars toward infrastructure and safety equipment upgrades
- Enhancing controller training and procedural clarity at high-traffic airports
These investments reflect the FAA’s multi-layered approach to risk mitigation—combining hardware, software, and human factors training to prevent aviation accidents before they occur.
Next Steps and Long-Term Impact
With RID, SAI, and ARV all being phased into broader use, the FAA’s surface safety strategy is maturing into a fully integrated system. These technologies are not only enhancing situational awareness but are also forming the backbone of a next-generation national airspace management strategy.
FAA Picks uAvionix ADS-B System To Prevent Incursions
FlightLine offers a lower-cost alternative to airport surveillance systems!!
The FAA has qualified uAvionix’s FlightLine ADS-B surveillance and situational awareness system for the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI). pic.twitter.com/PjQBFrhMYl— Anthony Saumell (@anthony_sa38570) April 24, 2024
Industry stakeholders, including airport operators, airline safety officers, and pilot associations, have expressed strong support for these deployments. They recognize that comprehensive, layered safety solutions are key to keeping pace with rising air traffic volumes and increasingly complex airport environments.
A New Era of Runway Safety
The rollout of FAA runway safety technology across more than 70 U.S. airports is a pivotal step in modernizing air traffic control and protecting passengers and crews on the ground. By 2026, with RID standard across much of the country, U.S. airports will be better equipped to detect hazards, prevent incursions, and ensure safe, efficient operations in every weather and traffic condition.
With these technologies in place, the FAA is not just responding to past incidents—it is laying the groundwork for a smarter, safer aviation system for decades to come.