Techniques are described for monitoring runway occupancy and providing
an indication of occupancy of a runway to an airplane on final approach the runway.
A system, for example, defines and monitors one or more zones on the runway to
determine whether the runway is occupied. Such a system includes sensors, such
as inductive loop sensors, that may be located proximate to or on the runway, and
the system may monitor ingress and egress of objects, such as airplanes or other
vehicles on the ground, into and out of the zone in order to determine whether
the zone is activated. The sensors may be located at points of entry and exit for
the zone. The zones may be located at take-off hold areas of the runway and intersections
of the runway with taxiways. A ground-based approach light array of the system
may provide the indication of runway occupancy to the airplane.
