L.A. boosts safety

Los Angeles International has opened a new center taxiway, a key component in its quest to cut down on runway incursions.

A runway incursion occurs when an aircraft or other object gets in the way of an aircraft landing or taking off, creating a potential for collision. From 2000 to 2003, LAX experienced the highest number of runway incursions of any U.S. commercial airport. In 2006-2007, LAX experienced 16 runway incursions, four of them deemed serious.

The $83 million taxiway runs between the two parallel runways in the south airfield. It will be used for parking aircraft that land on the southernmost runway until they're cleared to cross the adjacent runway on their way to the terminal. It also marks the end of the airport's $333 million program to reduce incursions by realigning the south side of the terminal. "The center taxiway is one of the most critical safety improvements to be implemented at LAX," said Wes Timmons, the FAA's runway safety director, in a statement.

Since 2006, the airport has also built shorter taxiways and moved its southernmost runway 55 feet farther south for further separation. City officials are still debating whether to make similar improvements to the terminal's north side.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2008-06-29-airport-checkin_N.htm

Fonte: Flight Safety Information 30/06/2008