Mitigating runway incursions: Evaluating advanced technologies and methodologies for enhanced aviation safety

Runway incursions are not a new problem in air travel, but they have become more dangerous and concerning recently. As travel demands increase, factors such as airport congestion, pilot distractions, technology, human factors, and communication play key roles in preventing runway incursions. This study aims to explore pilots’ opinions to identify potential causes and methods—both technological and human-based—to reduce runway incursions and improve aviation safety. Four main conclusions emerged: First, systemic causes remain the primary factors behind runway incursions, with communication failures and situational awareness issues consistently reported by pilots as major safety risks. Second, cockpit technologies like EFBs, moving maps, and ADS-B In significantly enhance safety but must be used carefully to avoid overreliance. Third, ground-based systems such as RWSL and ASDE-X are very effective but are adopted unevenly, making smaller airports more vulnerable. Finally, airport size and complexity affect incursion risk in different ways, underscoring the importance of tailored prevention strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.