National Academies Press: OpenBook

LED Airfield Lighting System Operation and Maintenance (2015)

Chapter: Chapter 1 - Introduction

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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 1 - Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2015. LED Airfield Lighting System Operation and Maintenance. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/22076.
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Page 1
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 1 - Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2015. LED Airfield Lighting System Operation and Maintenance. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/22076.
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Page 2
Page 3
Suggested Citation:"Chapter 1 - Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2015. LED Airfield Lighting System Operation and Maintenance. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/22076.
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Page 3

Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

1 Airfield ground lighting (AGL) is a major element of pavement visibility. Coupled with pave- ment markings, signage, and instrument landing systems, ground lighting provides visual guid- ance to pilots and airport personnel. AGL over the years has used incandescent, quartz halogen, and fluorescent technology. The use of light-emitting diode (LED) technology in AGL has become more common in the past decade and significant advances have been made toward implementing this technology on airfields. Although LED light fixtures have been approved for use by the FAA certification program under Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5345-53, Airport Lighting Equipment Certification Program, and Engineering Brief 67, Light Sources Other than Incandescent and Xenon for Airport and Obstruc- tion Lighting Fixtures, concerns still exist regarding best practices for installation, operation, and maintenance. Current reference, design, and maintenance documentation for AGL fixtures provides guid- ance for their maintenance. However, such documentation typically refers to LED light fixtures through procedures published for incandescent light fixtures. The research performed under ACRP Project 09-09 indicates differences in the operational and maintenance practices for LED fixtures. Approximately 49% of airports surveyed stated that they have a maintenance schedule for LED different from that for incandescent light fixtures. Operation and maintenance practices for LED fixtures are deployed by individual airports with little carryover to other locations. This results in isolated solutions that have not attained industry concurrence. This guidebook, the result of collection and review of the methods used across the nation, presents a comprehensive collection of best practices. Background AGL has been in use at airports since 1930. Initially, lighting was developed for the runway edges and then taxiway edges. These systems expanded to centerline lighting, touchdown zone lighting, and approach light systems. Taxiway guidance signage became illuminated, and runway guard light systems were established. Systems have expanded to clearance bars, stop bars, and most recently runway status lights (RWSL). Appendix 3 of the FAA’s AC 150/5345-53D now contains an entire catalog of FAA-approved lighting systems, each with unique characteristics and construction. AGL helps pilots with situational awareness through illuminated color, spacing, and light intensity. Lights indicate where an aircraft is on the airfield and provide guidance regarding pathways where the aircraft can head. Early versions of airfield ground lights used tungsten- filament incandescent lamps. Given the short life of incandescent lamps, new lamp technologies C H A P T E R 1 Introduction

2 LED Airfield Lighting System Operation and Maintenance were introduced. Fluorescent lamps became a popular choice for guidance signs (although they have had performance issues in colder climates), and quartz halogen incandescent lamps rose in popularity. Quartz halogen technology offers lamp life that is 3 times longer than tungsten- filament, with the added benefit of increased vibration resistance. The next step in the evolution of AGL was the introduction of LED technology. In use on air- field since the early 2000s (see Figure 1), the newest versions bear little resemblance to the pioneer models. Though initially introduced on obstruction lighting and taxiway elevated edge lighting, LED technology has expanded to most types of AGL [excluding approach light systems such as the medium-intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights (MALSR) and the approach lighting system with sequenced flashers II (ALSF-2) systems]. This guidebook presents the progression of LED technology and provides guidance on maintaining LED lighting systems, regardless of the version installed on the airfield. Purpose and Objectives This guidebook presents typical challenges U.S. airports have encountered in implement- ing LED fixtures and provides guidance on maintaining and operating these systems. By inter- viewing airport maintenance and engineering personnel and LED fixture manufacturers, the research team collected a list of industry concerns. This guidebook summarizes potential issues and illustrates methods to optimize these systems and extract the greatest benefit from this new technology. The research findings, which include the review of standards and approaches, form the basis for the recommended approaches in this guidebook. This guidebook, a resource for airfield electrical maintenance personnel, offers insight into the most persistent issues that arise with LED AGL. Guidance is included for continuing education and training of staff as well guidelines for a successful preventive maintenance program. Criteria are established for evaluating the various components associated with operating and maintaining LED lighting to allow the maintenance director to establish priority and protocol; insight from maintenance departments around the country is included to afford the maintenance technician with best practices for servicing these systems. The research team prepared this guidebook for users who have already purchased LED fixtures and are using them on their airfields. This book neither weighs in on the LED versus incandescent lighting debate for an airfield, nor provides guidance on the layout of LED airfield lighting. For such information, refer to ACs which may be found at http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/ Figure 1. Timeline of FAA approval for LED fixtures.

Introduction 3 advisory_circulars/. Although incandescent lighting is mentioned in various sections, this guide- book is intended to address issues relating to the operation and maintenance of LED AGL systems and current industry practices. The survey data expresses the experiences of the individuals’ sur- veyed who actively deal with the product. In many instances, the research team based information and recommendations on the interpretation of experiences and anecdotal information collected because hard data of a statistically relevant sample size was not available. This guidebook does not endorse specific manufacturers. All references to specific manufactur- ers in this guidebook are the result of direct communication with airport personnel or interviews with manufacturers. Airports should select manufacturers based on the specific facility needs. Guidebook Layout The research team based this guidebook on the knowledge, expertise, opinions, and recommen- dations of airport personnel and other airport industry professionals, as obtained through surveys, interviews, and case studies. In addition to a collection of maintenance material references from ACs and manufacturer’s maintenance guides, this guidebook provides a comprehensive collection of best practices for the maintenance and operation of LED AGL systems. Airport personnel should use this as a reference guide. Rather than organizing this guidebook to be read from beginning to end, the research team organized it so that readers can focus on the particular topic they need addressed. Although the research team collected similar topics in adjacent sections, this guidebook is designed so that extensive cross-referencing is not necessary. Chapter 3 covers maintenance considerations for LED signs in general and for the following in particular: • Acceptance testing procedures and warranty issues • Avoiding fixture obsolescence and maintaining adequate spare parts inventories • Preventive maintenance and refurbishment/repair • Prior to, during, and following pavement repair • Environmental factors, such as vibration and moisture Chapter 4 covers operation considerations for • Circuit configuration • Fixture heaters • Monitoring of AGL systems • Photometrics and chromaticity • Return on investment Key takeaway summaries throughout this guidebook highlight significant points made in the discussion of each topic.

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TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 148: LED Airfield Lighting System Operation and Maintenance provides guidance for operating and maintaining light-emitting diode (LED) airfield ground lighting systems, including taxi guidance signs, elevated light fixtures, and in-pavement light fixtures.

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