San Francisco International Airport is one of 21 airports nationwide picked as a test site for new technology aimed at preventing planes from accidentally taxiing onto active runways, the Federal Aviation Administration announced today.
The FAA is providing up to $5 million for the program, which includes moving map displays and audio alert systems that let pilots know their exact position on an airfield.
FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell said in a statement that the technology "is on every pilot's wish list."
SFO was selected both because it is one of the busiest commercial airports and has intersecting runways, the FAA said.
The technology "could have prevented many of SFO's past runway incursions," as well as others nationwide, the FAA said.
The systems are expected to be deployed by several airlines beginning next May.
