Comparative Analysis of Procedures for Dual and Triple Closely Spaced Parallel Runways

Abstract

This article provides a comparative analysis of 2 experiments on procedures to increase the capacity of closely spaced parallel runways under low-visibility conditions. The common goal for both studies was to achieve visual meteorological capacity under instrument meteorological conditions, when landing aircraft on parallel runways 750 ft apart. Using a high-fidelity flight deck simulator, both studies investigated procedures related to breakout maneuvers on final approach during off-nominal conditions. The first study investigated procedures for 2 parallel runways (involving a leading and trailing aircraft) and the second study examined 3 parallel runways separated by 750 ft, investigating procedures for 3 simultaneously arriving aircraft (leading, center, and right aircraft). In both studies, off-nominal events were introduced during the approach. In some cases the wake of the leading aircraft drifted too close to the aircraft behind. In others, the leading aircraft deviated off its course and blundered toward the trailing aircraft. Statistical analysis examined the effects of approach echelon (2-runway vs. 3-runway), breakout cause, and breakout location on the dependent measures of breakout trajectory cross-track error, breakout trajectory track angle error, pilot workload, and pilot situation awareness. Although revealing differences between the study conditions, results also show accurate cross-track and track angle error levels (i.e., high levels of breakout trajectory accuracy), manageable pilot workload, and high levels of pilot situation awareness across all conditions in both studies. Results suggest possible avenues of future adaptation of dual and triple parallel runway operations (e.g., improving pilot training) and also show potential promise of the concept.