Field evaluation of T-NASA: taxi navigation and situation awareness system

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a field evaluation of an advanced taxi navigation and situation awareness (T-NASA) system, aimed at improving the efficiency of aircraft ground taxi operations under low-visibility conditions. T-NASA consists of two main components: 1) a panel-mounted electronic taxi map display and 2) a heads-up scene-linked display (HUD). These components were installed in NASA's B-757 research aircraft and flight tested at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport, The results clearly demonstrated both the feasibility and effectiveness of the T-NASA system towards improving the efficiency of airport taxi operations, In addition, as a direct result of the evaluation, improvements were made to the design and procedures of the T-NASA system.