The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will roll out enhanced safety technology at 74 air traffic control towers across the US, in order to improve runway safety and reduce runway incursions.
The Runway Incursion Device (RID) is the third of three fast-tracked initiatives launched from the FAAs “Safety Call to Action” imitative. This program was introduced by former FAA acting administrator Billy Nolen in 2023, with the goal of ensuring that structures are fit for purpose for the US aerospace system.
The RID acts a memory aid for air traffic controllers, aiming to improve safety by indicating when a runway is occupied or closed. It can identify up to eight runways and will now be a standard technology, replacing a variety of devices currently in use at US control towers.
“The RID 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.”
This device is currently operational in four locations - Centennial Airport in Colorado, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in Missouri and Portland International Airport in Oregon.
The FAA confirmed on March 19, 2025, that this technology will be live at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport and Boise Airport in Idaho, within in the next month.
By the end of 2026, the FAA will deploy it at 69 other airports throughout the US.