Flight test measurement of pilot reaction times to runway incursions: out-the-window vs. synthetic vision

Researchers at Stanford University have developed and flight tested a runway incursion alerting system for aircraft on final approach. The system utilizes synthetic vision and ADS-B. The objectives of the flight test were to conduct a proof of concept and to compare the reaction times to incursion between pilots looking out the window and pilots looking at the display. In April 2001 we flew 98 approaches (incursions occurred on 72 approaches) into Moffett Federal Airfield. A specially equipped Ford Winstar Van generated the incursions while a Cessna Caravan flew approaches. Pilots looking out the window tended to see incursions at the runway threshold before the pilot using the display. The reaction time of the out the window pilot was a function of visibility conditions and the location of the incursion along the runway. The reaction time of the pilot looking at the synthetic vision display was insensitive to these factors.