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Runway Safety: Progress on Reducing Runway Incursions Impeded by Leadership, Technology, and Other Challenges

GAO-08-481T Published: Feb 13, 2008. Publicly Released: Feb 13, 2008.
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Highlights

While aviation accidents in the United States are relatively infrequent, recent incidents have heightened concerns about safety on airport runways. As the nation's aviation system becomes more crowded every day, increased congestion at airports may exacerbate ground safety concerns. This statement discusses (1) the trends in runway incursions, (2) what FAA has done to improve runway safety, and (3) what more could be done. This statement is based on GAO's November 2007 report issued to this committee on runway safety. GAO's work on that report included surveying experts on the causes of runway incidents and accidents and the effectiveness of measures to address them, reviewing safety data, and interviewing agency and industry officials. This statement also contains information from FAA on recent incursions and actions taken since November 2007.

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Accident preventionAir transportationAircraft accidentsAirportsAviationAviation securityCommercial aviationResearch and developmentRisk assessmentRisk factorsRisk managementSafety standardsStrategic planningTransportation planningTransportation safety