End-Around Taxiways-A Win-Win-Win: Enhanced Safety, Reduced Aircraft Delays and Emissions

摘要

This paper provides an update on the standards, applications, and approvals of end-around taxiways (EATs) and implementation challenges at U.S. airports. It also describes how EATs could potentially reduce aircraft delays by reducing the number of runway crossings and minimizing departure holds for crossing aircraft. Other benefits of EATs described in this paper include reduced risk of runway incursions, reduced controller-pilot communications workload, and reduced emissions due to fewer starts and stops by taxiing aircraft. These benefits have been verified through fast-time airfield simulation, human-in-the-loop simulations, and actual experience at existing EAT installations. The paper also discusses challenges of EAT implementation and potential disadvantages of EATs at constrained airport sites, which include potential reductions in certain runway declared distances that could result in payload-range penalties for certain flights. Examples of existing EATs at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) are also presented. The paper focuses on (1) recent enablers of EATs, including recent changes to the EAT design standards and airspace obstruction clearance criteria; and (2) the new EATs currently being planned for ATL and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).