Preventing runway accidents continues to top the ‘Most Wanted’ lists of safety experts. Devising ways to prevent aircraft from colliding at the airport, or running into ground equipment, are just a few of the concerns on the ground safety list. Now comes word from Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport (YUL) that safety changes are in place.

Aéroports de Montréal and NAV CANADA are investing in a new surface surveillance system designed to improve aircraft and vehicle visibility at the Canadian airport. The technology, built by Sensis, is called Multistatic Dependent Surveillance, or MDS.

In addition to rendering operations safer, the set-up promises to “reduce delays for both airlines and passengers,” says Normand Boivin, Aéroports de Montréal’s vice president of airport operations.

Montreal’s move follows the same moves from a number of U.S. airports, which have begun installing sophisticated ground surveillance gear. Some airports, such as Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW), have also begun laying in perimeter taxiways. These taxiways are designed to reduce the number of instances when aircraft have to cross active runways, which is when runway incursions happen most often.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler