Construction has commenced on new runway status lights (RWSL) at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport following a fatal collision between a Japan Airlines jetliner and a Japan Coast Guard plane in January. RWSL are red lights embedded in runways and taxiways that illuminate to alert pilots when two aircraft are taking off or landing on the same runway, or when two aircraft may be entering a runway simultaneously. The system is already installed in certain airports, including New Chitose, Itami, Fukuoka, and Naha. Based on discussions by the committee of outside experts for accident countermeasures, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has decided to expand the system to Narita, Haneda, Chubu and Kansai airports as well.
The construction work began during the night closure of Runway C at Haneda Airport. Workers dug out part of taxiway C5 to install three bases for the lights along with piping. By 5:30 a.m., the area had been filled and repaved. Approximately 1,500 lights are scheduled to be installed on runways A,B,C and taxiways at Haneda Airport with operation set to begin on the C5 taxiway by March 2028.
The remaining seven airports aim for full operation of RWSL by fiscal year 2030.
