Airport Edge Lighting Segmentation for Pilot Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airport lighting systems, relying on single nodes of light, are inadequate for pilots' situational awareness, especially at night or in reduced visibility conditions, as they can be confusing and fail to provide clear visual cues for navigating runway and taxiway intersections.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system using rod-like light patterns with radial arms that extend collinearly with airport pavement edges, allowing for adjustable length and spacing to enhance the human eye's ability to interpolate line segments, creating a more accurate representation of pavement edges and improving orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If single nodes of light are used for airport boundary marking, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the visual orientation and situational awareness of pilots is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single node light into multiple light-emitting segments arranged in specific geometric patterns (linear, L-shaped, T-shaped, cross patterns). Each segment emits light in specific directions to create directional visual cues that help pilots orient themselves relative to runway and taxiway edges, thereby improving visual orientation information without requiring a completely new system
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the light device are configured with different light emission characteristics and orientations. Each segment is optimized to provide specific visual information about the runway/taxiway edge direction from particular viewing angles, creating localized quality variations that enhance overall situational awareness
2Illumination intensity
If conventional single light nodes are used, then energy consumption is low, but visibility and clarity of pavement edge indication is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The light device uses multiple segments with directional emission properties to concentrate illumination intensity in specific directions where it is most needed for pilot orientation. This localized intensity enhancement allows for lower overall energy consumption compared to omnidirectional lighting while maintaining or improving pavement edge visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-source (0D) single node lighting to multi-segment directional lighting that adds angular dimensionality. The segments are arranged to provide illumination from multiple angles simultaneously, creating a three-dimensional light pattern that enhances visibility without proportionally increasing energy consumption
3Loss of information
If single light nodes are deployed at airport intersections, then the system is easy to operate, but pilots experience confusion and difficulty in recognizing safe exit locations
Solution Approach 1:
The light device segments the visual information into distinct directional patterns that clearly indicate runway/taxiway edge directions. At intersections, multiple light devices can be configured with different segment orientations to provide unambiguous directional cues, helping pilots recognize safe exit locations without increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The light segments are arranged in asymmetric patterns (L-shaped, T-shaped, cross patterns) that provide different visual signatures from different directions. This asymmetry creates unique visual identifiers for different locations and directions, eliminating the confusion that arises from symmetric single-node lighting and enabling pilots to easily distinguish their position and orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A boundary/edge recognition system for on ground vehicular traffic, especially airport runways and taxiways that uses multiple markers, each marker including an elongated tube with a light source in or near the tube for illuminating one or more slits or a plurality of apertures in the tube. Preferred embodiments include spring mounts and/or means for indicating misalignment. Additional options include a defroster/heater and/or bird roost prevention means.