Abstract

Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) is a specially designed surface that is installed at the end of certain runways that do not have sufficient surrounding space to support the standard runway safety area (RSA). EMAS is designed to reduce the extent and associated risks of a runway excursion by arresting an aircraft that experiences an overrun excursion during a landing or an aborted takeoff. Of the 121 EMAS beds installed at 69 airports in the United States, there have been 20 incidents where EMAS has safely stopped overrunning aircraft, carrying 428 crew and passengers. Despite its proven effectiveness, there is evidence that pilots occasionally avoid EMAS beds during an overrun excursion. Previous research by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Technology Research and Development Branch’s Safety Section (ATR) identified conceptual EMAS signage that would inform a test subject about the presence of EMAS during normal operations and an overrun excursion. Current ATR research has two objectives: gain test subject input about the location of EMAS signs that best inform a pilot about the presence of EMAS on a runway and evaluate the effectiveness of these signs during an overrun excursion. The use of flight simulators at FedEx and FlightSafety International (FSI) were chosen as the most effective way to meet these objectives. Flight simulation exercises with 132 test subjects were completed by September 2022.

Data analysis concluded the following:

•There is no evidence that the EMAS signs influenced the pilot to steer straight at the end of the runway during a simulated overrun excursion.

•Most test subjects reported that EMAS signage would be beneficial as a reminder during normal operations and during an actual overrun.

•Test subjects preferred that the EMAS signs be located near the end of the runway in lieu of 500 ft before the end of the runway.

•Test subjects also indicated that EMAS signage would also be useful at the departure end of the runway and 1,000 ft or more before the end of the runway.