Implementation of the Aerodrome ‘Triple One’ Concept

Runway incursions are considered as one of the most critical incident types in aviation as potentially leading to a collision on a runway with catastrophic consequences.

Using a single frequency for communication purposes with regard to runway operations improves the situational awareness of the actors active on the airport movement area. However, this presupposes the use of a common language so that the use of a common frequency makes sense. There are examples cases of aerodromes with heavy traffic where this recommended “triple one” concept has been implemented, while it seems that in a significant number of cases other ways of operations are being used.

Objectives

The ‘triple one’ concept is seen by many aviation stakeholders as a suitable mean to further reduce incident of runway incursions. There is also a significant number of aerodromes where the concept is not implemented, and at some aerodromes other variations to this mode of operation are being used. This means that in many European States and at many aerodromes there is a reluctance to take the next step, and the presumed reasons for this are manifold and will be the subject of this study.
The Agency necessitates an assessment of the current situation because the practices currently used across Europe differ widely. To avoid unnecessary negative impacts on the operational stakeholders at an aerodrome, an accurate picture needs to be established before the European legislator would take any further decisions in the area.

Main tasks / deliverables

The project will provide the Agency and the aviation stakeholders with the necessary understanding of the safety benefits and safety risks, as well as all reasons for implementing or not the ‘triple one’ concept. Finally, the study should provide policy options in relation to the ‘triple one’ concept that may be pursued to further reduce the risk of runway incursions at European aerodromes.