Lec31 PDF
Lec31 PDF
Lec31 PDF
Lecture – 31
Runway – Orientation
Dear students, I welcome you back to the lecture series on course material of
Transportation Engineering – II. In the previous lecture we have discussed about the
various fly rules and we have also discussed about the associated features of those
one. In today's lecture, we will be looking at some other aspects that is related to the
runways. So, what we are trying to do now is to start moving towards the design
aspects of some of the components of an airport and runway is one of the major
components of any airport. So, in today's lecture we are going to look at the
orientation of the runways and we will, in terms we will be looking at the various
associated features related to those.
So, what we are going cover in today's lectures are the runway orientation, the cross
wind effect, the wind coverage, the calm period and the wind rose diagrams and the
runway configurations. So, these are the things we would like to cover in today's
lecture. So, we will be starting right now with the runway orientation.
(Refer Slide Time: 1:47)
In the case of runway orientation, the orientation of a runway depends upon the
direction of the wind and to some extent on the area available for development. These
are the two major components which creates an effect on the direction in which the
runways can be oriented. The determination of a runway orientation is a critical task
and we have to look at because this is one of influential things, which creates its effect
in terms of planning and designing of an airport.
The direction of the runway controls the layout of the other airport facilities such as
passenger terminals, taxiways, apron configurations, circulation roads and parking
facilities - means the rest of the facilities which needs to be provided on any of the
airport are governed by the orientation of the runway and with respect to that because
the movements of the aircraft will be there and therefore, the facilities have to be
placed in such a way, so that it takes minimum of the time so as to approach a facility
or so as to operate that facility. According to FAA standards, runways should be
orientated so that aircraft can take-off and or land at least 95% of the time without
exceeding the allowable crosswinds. So, if there cross winds available on any of the
airport, which is mostly are, then in that case, as per the FAA standard it says that for
95% of the time period, the aircraft should be able to take-off or they should be able
to land, without taking an effect of the allowable crosswinds into consideration. That
is what is the orientation which needs to be taken care of and this is what becomes the
principle behind the orientation of any runway strip, as you will see when we will try
to compute, we will try to find out the runway orientation.
There are certain points which needs to be considered when they are orienting any
runway and similarly when we are orientating the taxiways.
They are avoiding delay in the landing, taxing and take-off operations and least
interference in these operations. This is one of the principles behind the orientations
that is during landing, there should be minimum of the delay for landing and then,
taxing means it is coming out of the runway strip and it is going towards the apron.
So, in that point of a time, in between of that transition that is known as taxing and the
aircraft will be using the taxiway during that operation.
Similarly, at the time of taking off operation also, there should be least of the delay
and then, there should be least interference of the different type of operations which
are simultaneously going on, on any of the busy airport. That is simultaneously there
can be a landing, there can be an aircraft which is taxing and there can be an aircraft
which is taking-off. So, in such conditions, no one operation should interfere with the
other operation. Then, providing the shortest taxi distance possible from the terminal
area to the end of the runway, this is another important thing. This is another way of
trying to economize at the same time trying to shorten the time which it takes, so as to
move from the terminal building to the runway or from the runway to the terminal
building.
Then, making provision for maximum taxiway, so that the landing aircraft can leave
the runway as quickly as possible to the terminal area. Now, this is important in the
light of the different type of aircrafts which are going to use any landing strip. Not all
the aircrafts are of the same specification. If the aircrafts are of bigger size with the
big amount of power available to them, then they will be moving to a larger distance
on the runway strip before they start taxing, whereas if the aircraft is of the smaller
size, then it will start taxing at a much earlier time frame. Therefore the taxiways
should be connected from the runway at different locations, so that as soon as an
aircraft comes into a position of taxing it should move quickly away from the runway,
allowing the runway to be used by another aircraft. Then, we should provide adequate
separation in the air traffic pattern that is another aspect related to the orientation of
the runway strips.
Now, what type of data is required so as to decide about the orientation of the runway
strip? We require the map of the area and contours, which is required to examine the
flatness of the area and the possible changes in the longitudinal profiles, so as to keep
them within permissible limits. So, we are looking at basically the contours where it
has to build-up topography of that area and with respect to that topography of the
area, we try to maintain as far as possible, the runways should be orientated in that
particular area where the flatness can be ensured, so that there are minimum changes
in the grades.
Further, another thing which is required is the wind data and the wind data is required
in three dimensions. That is in terms of direction, in terms of duration and the
intensity of wind in the vicinity of the airport and this is a requirement for the
development of wind rose diagram, which is finally used to identify the orientation of
the runway based on the wind coverage area. So, that is why this is one another
important metrological data which is required, so as to find out the orientation of
runways at an airport.
Another characteristic which has its effect on the orientation of runway is the fog
characteristics of the area, which is governed by not only the metrological conditions,
but it is also governed by the positioning of the runway strips with respect to the
conditions which are going to be created in terms of whether we are providing the
runway strip on the leeward side or the windward side as we have discussed in the
case of site selection of an airport. That is another thing which needs to be given due
consideration, because if you are on the windward side, then what happens is that we
will be getting more of the wind and that means whatever are the fog which has got
created or formed at any other location which will travel towards the site of the airport
or runway strip, so that should not happen.
Now, in the case of wind direction, when we are looking at the wind data, what we
will try to do is that we try to find out what way this wind is going to create an effect
on the aircraft. That is whether it is coming from the front side or it is coming from
the backside or it is going to create an effect from the sides of the aircraft.
In that sense it will be termed as the head wind or the tail wind or the cross wind
respectively. Also, the direction of wind is not necessarily the same throughout the
year. It will keep on changing. Therefore, we require to find out that particular
direction, where the maximum wind will remain can be ascertained throughout the
year. So, that means for the maximum time period in a year they can utilize the
direction for the operation of the runway; it means in terms of landings and take-off’s
of the aircrafts.
(Refer Slide Time: 11:04)
Another data related to wind is the wind intensity, which is reported in terms of
velocity in kilometers per hour and this velocity has it effect in terms of the force it is
going to generate on any of the aircraft and this force, finally we use on not only
during the navigation in the air, but we are going to use it during the ground
movements of the aircraft. So, in that sense, we look at this wind intensity or this wind
velocity or speed in terms of the ground velocity or in terms of the air velocity and the
wind velocity.
Another aspect is the duration for which the wind is available, but with certain
intensity for certain directions at the airport. So, that is another aspect which needs to
be taken care of and this is one of the design parameters which we use while fixing
the runway orientation.
(Refer Slide Time: 12:09)
So, in this case of wind direction, we look at the three of the components as we have
just discussed, where it is varying and it depends on from which particular direction it
is going to create an effect or attack on the aircraft and its effect on the aircraft
movements obviously then in that sense will become different. So, we are going to
look at the three wind acts that is the head wind, the tail wind and the cross wind
components.
So, if you look at this head wind, then this head wind is the wind blowing from the
opposite direction of head or nose of the aircraft or opposite to the movement of the
aircraft while landing or taking-off and this is what is termed as head wind, which
provides braking effect during landing and greater lift on the wings of the aircraft
during take-off. That is what is the effect of the head wind. Thus the length of the
runway gets reduced and this reduction maybe around 10% if we have the head wind
on the airport.
(Refer Slide Time: 14:41)
In case of tail wind, this is defined as the wind which is blowing in the same direction
as of landing or taking-off of the aircraft or in the other words it can be defined as it is
moving in the direction of the movement of the aircraft. That is what we have
discussed that is coming from the tail side is moving towards the nose side and the
effect of this tail wind is that it provides a push from the back, thus increasing the stop
distance or it may increase the lift-off distance also. So, that is the effect of the tail
wind and in that sense, it is going to be dangerous for the nose diving aircrafts.
This is the case, where the nose of the aircraft is going towards a downward elevation
as compared to the tail of the aircraft and if that type of aircraft is standing on the
apron or in the parking area or bay, then in that case what will happen is that the tail
wind which is coming from the tail direction will create an effect of a sort of a lift
from the back side and the nose will go further down and will hit the ground. So, that
is a dangerous condition for that aircraft, because then the aircraft will become un-
operational in this sense.
(Refer Slide Time: 16:13)
The third component which we are looking at is the cross wind component and in this
cross wind component, this is the transverse component of the wind, which is taken at
90 degree angles may be it is in the form of that one or being reduced to that with the
direction of the aircraft movement and that is what is a cross wind component and if
the wind contains large component of cross wind, then the chances are that that during
the manoeuver of that aircraft, there will be drifting effect.
Drifting effect means the aircraft will be moving towards the, in the lateral direction
away from the runway strip and if the cross wind component is very, very large, then
in that case, there are all chances that during while making a take-off or landing, the
aircraft may move towards the shoulder area or even away from that which is
hazardous condition for the movement of an aircraft, so and that way we have to look
at that what is the cross wind component and this cross wind component is to be
specified and has to remain below that one, so that we have the safe and smooth
operation of the aircrafts. The excessive cross wind component might even veer off
the aircraft. That is what I have just said, away from runway thus restricting the use of
the runway under such conditions.
(Refer Slide Time: 17:34)
We are looking again at the cross wind component, where the maximum allowable
cross wind component will depend on three factors like the size of the aircraft, the
wing configuration and the condition of the pavement surface. So, the amount of the
cross wind which can be allowed is going to be a cumulative effect of these three
cases. If the size of the aircraft is big, then the higher value of the cross wind
component can be taken up, whereas the wing configuration again is such that it can
take up more of the wind and the surface area is larger, then also effect of higher cross
wind component can be eliminated or reduced.
But, in the case of the condition of the pavement surface, if there are more of depths
and rises, then this cross wind component may create its effect. Now, for medium and
light aircraft conditions, then this cross wind component is usually taken as less than
or equals to 25 kilometers per hour. So, the velocity of the wind in terms of at 90
degrees to the flight path or in 90 degrees to the landing or taking-off of the aircraft is
restricted to a value of 25 kilometers per hour.
(Refer Slide Time: 19:00)
Another thing related to cross wind is the ICAO recommendation which has a
maximum allowable cross wind component as defined for the different field lengths,
reference field lengths and on the basis of that, like if the value of the reference field
length is 1500 metres or over, that is more than that, then in that case, the maximum
cross wind component can be 37 kilometers per hour, whereas if it is between 1200
metres and 1499 metres, then this is taken as 24 kilometers per hour and if it is less
than 1200 metres, it is taken as 19 kilometers per hour.
Now, here the effect of the air speed with respect to the aircraft speed has been shown
and this is one aspect which we have discussed previously, where we try to correlate
the value of the ground with the air speed given the wind speed to us. In this diagram,
in the top most there is no air moving and therefore, whatever is the speed of the
aircraft in the air remains the speed of that aircraft on the ground. So, there is no
difference in the value in this case. Whereas, if there is air which is moving at 20
miles per hour and it is in the same direction in which the aircraft is moving with the
speed of some like 100 miles per hour, then the ground speed will be depicted as 120
miles per hour. So, that is the variation in the value between air speed and the ground
speed of an aircraft.
Similarly, when the air is moving at the same 20 miles per hour, but opposite to the
direction of the movement of the aircraft, then the ground speed will be coming as 80
miles per hour. This is because of the relative phenomena of the velocity which is
being considered here, so as to find out the velocity. So, that is the case, that is how
the ground speed or the air speed can be computed given the two other values to us
and this has its significance in the terms that we have to look at what value the aircraft
is going to navigate in the air or at the same time at the time of say landing, at what
speed it will be landing. So, that is where these values have their own significance.
So, we have looked at the surface wind, we have looked at the ground speed, in that.
This wind coverage is also termed as sometimes as a usability factor of airport and
this is defined as a percentage of time in a year, during which the cross wind
component remains within the limit or runway system in not restricted, because of the
excessive cross wind component. So, we have seen previously that what is the cross
wind component being defined on the basis of the type of the airport by ICAO and by
FAA. Now, based on the type of airport and the selected cross wind component, we
have to look at the maximum percentage of time in a year for which the cross wind
component will remain below that value and that is what is the wind coverage being
defined. ICAO and FAA both recommends the minimum wind coverage area of 95%
and this is what is being globally generally accepted by the other countries. A single
runway or a set of parallel runways cannot be oriented to provide the required wind
coverage of 95% as defined by ICAO, FAA. Then, one or more than one runways
needs to be provided in that case and the combined value of those two or more
runways will come out as more than 95%. So, that is the value which needs to be
provided while selecting the orientation of the runways.
Calm period is the one when the wind intensity remains below 6.4 kilometers per hour
and this is common to all directions and hence can be added to wind coverage for that
direction. So, we are looking at the wind coverage data and we are trying to find out
the wind coverage value, then this is the one which can be taken and added to the
overall wind coverage information. So, the calm period is equal to 100 minus the total
wind coverage or it is 100 minus the percentage of time wind is blowing in any
direction, with any speed. So, if we take a total summation of all those percentages
with respect to time, with respect to direction and with respect to duration, then and
we subtract it from 100, what we are going to get is calm period.
(Refer Slide Time: 25:16)
Once the maximum permissible cross wind component is selected, the most desirable
direction of runway for cross wind coverage can be determined by examining the
wind characteristics for the following conditions: that the entire wind coverage
regardless of visibility or cloud ceiling which is termed as the normal condition, that
we can provide the overall whole of the wind coverage condition there is no problem
of visibility. There is a visual metrological condition as we have discussed previously
during the fly rules that the wind condition when the ceiling is at least 300 metres that
is what I have discussed previously too and the visibility is at least 4.8 kilometers and
this value during the concession period, where the concession fees was also levied on
the airlines and that was charged by the passengers during the flights at different
airports in India, this value is being requested to be lessened out, because this is a
little more stringent as compared to the other countries and the request was to bring it
to as low as 50 metres during the worst visual metrological conditions.
(Refer Slide Time: 26:39)
Further, in the case of the instrument metrological conditions, it defines that the wind
condition when the ceiling is between 60 metre and 300 metre and or the visibility is
between 0.8 kilometer and 4.8 kilometer, so that is the way it is defined in terms of
the instrument metrological condition.
Now, when visibility approaches 0.8 kilometers and the ceiling is 60 metres, there is
very little wind present, the visibility gets reduced due to fog, haze or smoke. So, this
is the minimum value which remains and the visibility is hampered, because of
various types of metrological conditions. Sometimes, the visibility may be extremely
poor, yet there is no distinct cloud ceiling. This happens due to fog or smoke or haze
or similar conditions and the criteria of 95% wind coverage is applicable to all the
conditions. Whatever are the conditions this cannot be removed or restricted. So, once
we have the idea of the wind and its components in terms of its intensity, direction
and duration and the effects of those winds, then now we can think of discussing
about the wind rose diagrams and this wind rose diagrams are the tools which we use
for finding out the orientation of the runways.
So the application of the wind rose diagram is for finding the orientation of the
runway to achieve the desired wind coverage and the area is divided in the case of the
wind rose diagram into 16 parts using an angle of 22.5 degrees. So, whatever is the
overall area on which the airport is being provided, we just divide it into 16 equal
parts and obviously, this will be on the basis of equal angle of 22.5 degrees and the
average wind data of 5 to 10 years is used for preparing such type of wind rose
diagrams. So, we will be taking the information available to us for say 10 years, in
terms of wind intensity, wind duration and wind direction and then we analyse that
and then, on the basis of that analysis we draw the wind rose diagrams.
(Refer Slide Time: 28:59)
This is a typical wind rose diagram, where what we are trying to do is that it shows
those directions in which it is being divided. This is the 360 degree circular curve
condition, where it shows the North, South, East and West directions and then it is
further being divided into, each quadrant is being divided into 4 parts using 22.5
degree angle and that is how at 45 degree angle, we have the North East and then at
the centre of that one, we have the North North East and on this side, it is the East
North East, because it is from the East side.
Similarly, when we look from the South side, at the centre it is the South East,
whereas on this side, it will be East South East and here it will be South South East
and this is the same way it is been defined on the other side for the West direction as
North North West, North West and West North West. Similarly for the South, it is the
West South East; this is the West South West basically, it is not East, let us make the
rectification here and this is the South West and this is South South West.
(Refer Slide Time: 30:13)
There are different methods by which these wind rose diagrams can be drawn,
because in the previous diagram we have only shown the directions. Then, what is the
use of those directions and how that is being done? There are different ways and most
of time we are using two types of the wind rose diagram. The Type - I shows direction
and duration of wind, whereas Type - II shows the direction, duration and intensity of
wind. That is all the three parameters are shown in the second case. So, we will be
looking at both the type of the wind rose diagrams now.
So, like this example wind is blowing in the direction North and for 4.6% of the time
period it has been moving with the velocity range between 6 and 15 kilometers per
hour, whereas 1.4% of the time period it was moving within a range 15 to 30
kilometers per hour and for 0.01% of the time period, it was moving in a range of 30
to 50 kilometers per hour and the summation of this time period is 6.1%, showing that
out of the total 100%, the wind was blowing for a value of 6.1% in the direction
North. So, that is how we have the composite data being available in this form, which
can be used either to draw Type - I diagram of the wind rose, where we are using only
the direction and the duration that is the total duration or we can draw the Type – II
diagram, where we are using direction, duration and the speed. That is the intensity
being defined here in this form.
Further, we take the example for a North North East direction and similarly we can
have the way for each and every direction in which the wind is moving, we can take
the values. Finally, what we do is that we take the total of for the different percentages
of times being related to the various speed categories and we get this value as like
66.4% of the time period it is moving within a range 6 to 15 kilometer per hour, for
21.14 time period, percent time period, it is moving in a range of 15 to 30 kilometer
per hour and for 0.46%, of the time period it is moving in a range of 30 to 50
kilometer per hour and the overall value of this comes out to be 88%.
It means for 88% time period, the speed of the wind has been more than 6 kilometers
per hour, whereas for the rest of the 12% of the time period, it has been less than 6
kilometers per hour and therefore, the calm period is 12%. So, this 12% value can be
added to the wind coverage area as we find out further and then that will become, that
will help us in identifying the direction of the runways.
So, in the case of the Type - I wind rose diagram, what we do is that it is based on the
direction and duration of the wind and the minimum 8 directions are taken and
optimum 16 directions are taken as we have seen at an angle of 22.5 degrees. Here,
the data will include the total percentage of time in each direction as being done in the
final column of the previous data chart. The concentric circles are drawn to scale
according to the percentage of time wind is blowing in a direction. So, based on the
value, we will be drawing the concentric circle. So, this is based on the time period,
whatever is the minimum or the maximum time period is available in this case.
(Refer Slide Time: 34:52)
So, if you look at this diagram, the minimum is 1.15 and say the maximum is 6.10.
So, on the basis of this value, we will be drawing the concentric circles, say for every
2% we are drawing it. So, it will be 2, 4 and 6. Then, there is a total percentage in
each direction marked on the radial line drawn in that direction.
Then, these points on radial lines are joined together to form a duration map and the
best direction of runway is indicated along that direction of the longest line on the
wind rose diagram.
(Refer Slide Time: 35:37)
That is how we find out the orientation of the runway and this is what we are trying to
do is on the basis of the time periods, we are dividing it into the concentric circles.
Now, for more accuracy we can have more of the circles or we can go for lesser
number of circles. So, if we have some circles, then there will be direction, like for
this there maybe the West direction, East direction and similarly for the other
directions and then for that direction, for that concentric circle, we will be taking the
value. In that direction what is the value of the percentage of time as we have seen in
the last column of the data chart. So, we will just put that value and we will draw or
put a mark on this concentric circle.
Similarly for North, if the value comes here, we will mark here or for other directions
if the value comes here or here or likewise in a haphazard form, we will keep on
marking all those dots in those directions on the concentric circle, or away from the
concentric circles, because it is to be between the concentric circles and then once
those dots have been drawn in all the directions and they are joined with each other
starting from one direction going in the circular or the anticlockwise condition and
coming back to the same direction, so we will be having a graph and then, within that
graph we will try to find out the maximum longest line which can be drawn starting
from one direction to the opposite direction and that particular line will tell that this is
going to be the orientation of the runway on the basis of the first type of wind rose
diagram.
(Refer Slide Time: 37:21)
Then, when we look at the second type of the wind rose diagram, then this is based on
direction, duration and intensity of wind. The concentric circles are drawn to scale
according to the wind velocity and not on the basis of the percentage time as taken in
Type – I. So, here we are using wind velocity. The influence of wind is assumed to
spread at an angle of 22.5 degrees in a direction and the radial lines from the centre
are drawn up to the midpoint of the two directions, thus dividing the space into 16
directions and 64 parts.
So, what we are doing is that we are drawing the radial lines from the centre of the
concentric circles and they will go towards the centre of the direction. So, if we have
this as North, and then this as a North East and then, whatever is the centre of this
one, that will be North North East in this side. So, this will be the line which will be
drawn. So, it will divide this total part into two segments. So, as we are going for 16
directions, then we will be having 16 such segments based on such orientation and the
categorized duration is marked in the related cell. So, whatever duration we have
found out for that direction, that we can write down in the cell related to that one.
(Refer Slide Time: 38:43)
So, here what we are doing, this is the speed of the wind 0, 10, 20, 30. So, the
concentric circles have been drawn accordingly. Now, once it is being drawn, this is
one direction, this is another direction or say there is one direction in the centre also
here as North North East. So, this is twenty two and a half degree, this is twenty two
and a half degree. Now, the line which will be drawn will be from the centre of this
North and North North East. That is from this point it will be joined as a centre of the
concentric circles.
Similarly, from the centre of the North North East and North East that is from here, a
line will be joined here. It means now this is, this area which is being provided for this
North North East is staring from half of the distance from this side and half of the
distance from this side. Similarly for North East, we have half of the distance from
this side and half of the distance from this side. So, we will be having a line segments
line this way. So, once we have the line segments this way, then we will be having the
cells, the cell between these two lines and the cells being created because of the
concentric circles. So, whatever is the duration that duration will be written in that
cell. So, if it is North North East, then within this cell that is between 10 and 20
kilometers per hour whatever was the duration will be written here. Then, whatever
was the duration for 20 to 30 will be written here. So, that is how the total chart will
be prepared.
(Refer Slide Time: 40:22)
Now, once this is being done, the next step is to prepare a transparent rectangular
template of length greater than the diameter of the diagram. So, whatever the
diameter of this diagram is, we prepare a template like this. This template is having a
size which is greater than the diameter. This is the diameter of this one, so it is greater
than this. So this is the length. Similarly, we have to decide the width of this one. So,
what we are doing is the and the width is equal to the twice of allowable cross wind
component. So, whatever is the cross wind component, say if it is 24 kilometers per
hour, then the twice of that means 48 kilometers per hour. So, whatever is the scale
we have taken, so as to find out these speeds, here as 10, 20 and 30, using the same
scale you will decide this width as 48 kilometers per hour. So, that is how the size of
the template is decided.
Now, wind rose diagram is fixed in position and the template is placed above it, such
that the centre of the template coincides with the centre of diagram and the centre line
of template should pass through the direction. So, whatever is the centre of this
template will come at the centre of this line diagram which we have drawn and the
centre of the template here will be at this location. This is how now we place our
template over this diagram and we start locating our template.
(Refer Slide Time: 41:58)
The template is fixed in position and the sum of the duration shown in cells
superimposed by the template is calculated. So, whatever is the area being covered by
the template, we will find out the area in terms of the values being written in the cells
and then, we take the sum of all those values and that sum will become the percentage
and will represent the total wind coverage for that direction.
So, once we have got the total wind coverage for that direction, similarly we will be
doing the same exercise for the rest of the 16 other directions and if we do it for all the
directions, then the direction which gives the maximum wind coverage is the suitable
direction for orientation of runway. In case, a single runway is not in a position to
provide the necessary coverage that is 95% of the wind coverage, then two or more
runways should be planned, so as to get the desired coverage area. That is how it
works.
This is one of the typical diagrams, where we are having this North and these radial
lines are drawn from the centre of this direction and the other direction that is North
and North East, so this is the centre, likewise and because these concentric circles are
related to their speeds, so we have the cells. So, this is one cell, this is another cell,
this is another cell, this is another cell, likewise. So, whatever was the value related to
North, for the first category, then for the second category or for the third category has
been noted.
Similarly, it has been done for the rest of the cells. Now, once we have done this, then
we will keep on orientating our template and on the basis of that, what we found that
if we keep our template in the direction of North North East and South South West
that is this direction in this way and we take the summation of all the values which are
coming like this and then, we are also putting the value in this direction in this form
and taking the summation of all these values which are coming in this direction that is
in West and East, then the total value of these two directions is providing us a 95% of
the coverage area and that means in this particular airport, we have to provide two
runway strips which are placed like this. In case only a single strip is providing 95%
of the coverage area, then there is no need of providing any such other strip which is
crossing it.
Now, we come to the various types of the runway configurations and these are single
runways, parallel runways, dual parallel runways and intersecting runways and V -
shaped runways. These are the 5 categories of the runway configurations which can
be there on the basis of the orientations which we have found out. So, we will be
discussing about these now.
(Refer Slide Time: 45:02)
In the case of single runway, this is one of the simplest of the basic configurations and
optimally positioned for prevailing winds, noise, land uses and other determining
factors which determine the position of the runway strip and during VFR conditions,
the hour capacity of this type of a runway is between 50 and 100 operations per hour,
whereas in the case of IFR condition, it is reduced to 50 to 70 operations per hour.
The capacity depends upon aircraft mix as well as navigational aids being provided.
Then, there is a parallel runway condition where the capacity depends upon the
number of runways and the spacing between them. Two or four parallel runways are
the common type of configurations. Above this, the air space requirement becomes
large and the traffic handling becomes difficult. That is why most of the time, we are
providing only up to four parallel runways and not more than four parallel runways.
The spacing between the runways is termed as close, intermediate and far and this
depends upon the centreline separation of the two runway strips being provided side
by side.
(Refer Slide Time: 46:43)
We look at the first case, where this is a closed parallel condition being defined on the
basis of the distance between the centreline of one runway to the centreline of another
runway and here it is being defined in terms of less than 2,500 feet between runways.
If that is the case of the distance, then that is known as close parallels.
Then, in the case of close parallel runways, if they are spaced between like 210 metre
and 750 metre, under IFR conditions, the operations on one runway will become
dependent upon the operation on another runway. That is the problem in the case of
close parallel runways. In the case of intermediate parallel runways, generally these
are spaced between 750 metres and 1290 metres, in the diagrams being shown in the
form of feet and under IFR conditions, the departure from one runway is independent
from the arrival on the other runway. That is what it tries to define is that the two
runways which are being provided in the intermediate condition are used for different
specific type of operations. One is used for departure and another maybe is used for
say the landing and in such cases, they are independent of each other. Therefore, there
is no effect of one operation on another one and the airport capacity will not be
reduced. It will rather improve.
This is the case of intermediate parallel, where again the distance between the two is
being defined in terms of feet. It is 2,500 to 4,300 feet.
(Refer Slide Time: 48:24)
Further, in the case of parallel runways, there is another case where the runways may
be spaced between 1290 metres and above and under IFR conditions, the operation on
the both runways becomes independent of each other and for simultaneous operations
under VFR conditions on the close parallel runways, the minimum centreline spacing
has to be made as 210 metres in the group I to IV cases and has to be made 360
metres for group IV to VI type of airplane design group.
Then, a staggering of runways is also required sometimes, because the available shape
of the area is such or at times we are interested in reducing the taxing distance that is
the distance by which the aircraft is coming away from the runway towards the apron
area and that is the case, why we go for the staggering condition. In the case of the
arrivals are on near threshold, then the centreline spacing may be reduced by 30 metre
for each 150 metre of stagger with minimum separation of 300 metres. So, the
minimum separation remains 300 metres, but if we are staggering it for 150 metres,
then in that case, the centreline spacing can be reduced by 30 metres. In case of the far
threshold movements, then the centreline spacing is increased by 50 metres for every
150 metre of staggering.
(Refer Slide Time: 50:29)
We look at, this is a far parallel condition, where the far runway strips are at a
distance 4,300 feet or more. A larger area is being provided in the centre of these two.
Then, another case is the dual parallel runway case, where it consists of two closely
spaced parallel runways with the appropriate exit taxiway. That is a dual parallel
runway. Both runways can be used for mixed operations, though it is desirable to use
farthest runway on the terminal for arrivals and the nearest runway for departures.
That is for economizing the time.
(Refer Slide Time: 51:15)
Capacity, as far as this is concerned, then it can handle 70% more traffic as compared
to the single runway under VFR conditions and 60% more traffic than the single
runway in case of IFR conditions and if spaced at 300 metres or more, then the
capacity becomes insensitive to centreline spacing.
This is the case of a dual parallel condition, where the spacing in between is 4,300
feet or more, but then after that we have another parallel strip on this side as well as
on the other side, so we have two pairs of parallel runways spaced at farthest spacing.
(Refer Slide Time: 52:02)
So, in this case of intersecting runways, we can have three conditions. Now, this is the
intersecting near end runway condition, where this is the direction of operation. So,
this is starting from this side, so this becomes the near end and this becomes the far
end. This is the far end. So, these two runways are intersecting each other at the near
end location. This is what is one type of runway systems.
The greatest capacity for operation is accomplished when the intersection is close to
the take-off end and the landing threshold. If that is the case, then only the maximum
capacity will be there as we have seen just in the previous photograph and capacity is
dependent upon the location of intersection. That is I have said that there can be three
conditions. One is very near, one is far off and one is in the case of centre point
intersection and the runway-use strategy is another case that is how we are going to
utilize the two runways for the two different operations that is take-off and landing
and what is the type of the mix of the aircrafts on that. So, these are the factors which
will create an effect on the capacity in the case of intersection runways. The capacity
for near end operation ranges between 70 to 175 operations per hour in VFR condition
and 60 to 70 operations per hour in IFR condition. So, under VFR conditions, we can
see the capacity of the airport has increased manifolds as compared to the previous
conditions.
Then, the capacity for the midpoint intersection ranges between 60 to 100 operations
per hour. That is as we are going away from the near end to the far end, it is changing
and it is 45 to 60 operations per hour in the IFR condition. In the case of the far end
operations, it ranges between 50 to 100 operations per hour in VFR condition. Further
reduction is there and there is 40 to 60 operations per hour in IFR condition.
This is a case of far end intersecting runway. Direction of operation remains like this
and this is the far end. The reason is that as this is taking off or this is landing, there is
the intersection of the flight path at this location and if there is any emergency, then it
is going to create a hazardous condition. That is why the intensity or the capacity of
traffic handling keeps on reducing, as we go away from the near end. In the case of
the near end, because they are separating from each other in the very starting that is
why the capacity is more.
The last case is the open V runways. In this case, there are two runways which diverse
in different directions and they are not intersecting with each other and the
configuration is useful, when there is a little or no wind and both the runways are in
use. With the strong winds only one runway can be used. When take-offs and landings
are made away from the two closer ends, the number of operations per hour
significantly increases. That is the case as in the case of the intersecting conditions
and when the take-offs and landings are made towards the two closer ends, the
number of operations per hour can be reduced by 50%.
(Refer Slide Time: 56:33)
So, we look at this open V condition. This is open V, which is, the operations are
going from this direction. So, they are going away from each other and this is
dependent operations away from intersection.
Whereas this is another case, where the open V with dependent operations towards the
intersection. So, these are the two cases of open V type of movements.
So, what we have seen in today's lecture is that, how to decide about the orientation of
the runway and what are the factors which contribute in this particular decision. Then,
we have looked at the wind rose diagram, which is a tool so as to identify this
orientation and then further, we have looked at the various types of configurations
which can come up on the basis of the fixing of the orientations. So, the five types of
configurations we have seen and we have tried to compare them. This is all about type
of the runway configurations and orientations in today's lecture. We stop at this point
and we will be meeting for some other things related to the runways in the coming
lectures. Till then, good bye and thank you to you.