“Follow the Greens” – it is under this title that simulations are being performed currently at Frankfurt Airport.
As part of SESAR validation exercices, the objective of these simulations is to speed up the taxiing procedure of aircraft to and from the runway system, making the process more efficient. Currently, the cockpit crew is directed by radio to the assigned taxi route by the apron controllers. In future, the taxiway lighting system will be used to direct the crew and therefore the aircraft. Each segment of taxiway needed is switched on. All areas not needed, are switched off. This makes the guidance of aircraft safer, as errors are hereby minimized. The guidance system is computer controlled. This is a modification of the system already in place.