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

A comprehensive survey of existing approaches for close parallel runway landing operations: toward identifying the optimal method

“…The results were positive since the breakout trajectories in both cases (dual and triple runway) were executed with high accuracy, which lost accuracy slightly in the triple runway operation. Furthermore, despite being higher under the 3-runway condition and reaching their peak for the center ownership, pilot workload levels remained manageable overall [9].…”

“…Savita V. et al used the Terminal Area Capacity Enhancing Concept (TACEC) developed by NASA and Raytheon Corporation for dual and triple approaches in VCSPRO. This concept uses breakout trajectories that require less extreme turns than other maneuvers [9]. The results were positive since the breakout trajectories in both cases (dual and triple runway) were executed with high accuracy, which lost accuracy slightly in the triple runway operation.…”

“…Since the latter has a higher chance of wake encounter in case of a blunder from the lead aircraft than the escape procedure [4]. Acceptable level of workload: Savita V. et al in their study of the effect of breakout procedures for dual and triple Closely Spaced Parallel Runways Landing (CSPRL) showed that the workload level for the pilots, air traffic controllers, and all of the participants in the procedure remained manageable [9]. While escape procedures in pair landing approach procedures provide several benefits, there are also some potential disadvantages when additional level of complexity to the air traffic control process especially when it comes to bad weather and having to adopt an Instrument Landing System (ILS) instead of a visual approach.…”

“…Off-nominal conditions were not considered in the HITL simulation [3] since it would make an NP-hard problem, in addition to extending the time of the simulation to a high extent. On the other hand, Savita V. et al used HITL flight simulation to investigate breakout procedures for VCSPR using 2 and 3 runways [9]. The configuration is represented in Figure 11.…”

“…These approaches utilize the ILS, and Precision Runway Monitor (PRM) approaches can also be used on runways that are 3000 ft apart. However, In certain airports, such as San Francisco International (SFO) airport, flights are able to land on parallel runways that are separated by a distance of 750 ft by utilizing Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach (SOIA) procedures during periods of reduced visibility [9]. The trailing aircraft in the paired approach is required to visually spot the lead aircraft to proceed with the SOIA approaches, which is possible under marginal weather conditions, such as a cloud ceiling of 2100 ft and visibility of 3 nautical miles.…”