Potential Runway Collisions Decreased In 2001

Runway incursions dropped year over year in 2001, from 431 in 2000 to 381, reversing a long-standing trend, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

FAA attributed some of the progress to new technology, including the Airport Movement Area Safety System, which now is in place at eight airports and is set for installation this year at another 26 airports nationwide.

Though FAA credited the decrease in potential collisions to its efforts to educate pilots on incursion risks, it also is likely that 2001's drop in overall air traffic congestion aided the trend as well.