Kiitotieohjausjärjestelmä

Kiitotieohjausjärjestelmä, often referred to by its Finnish acronym KOTJ, is a ground guidance system used in aviation. Its primary purpose is to safely guide aircraft to and from their designated parking stands or gates at an airport, especially during periods of low visibility or congested taxiway conditions. The system works by providing visual cues and, in some advanced configurations, electronic guidance to pilots navigating the complex network of taxiways.

The basic components of a kiitotieohjausjärjestelmä include illuminated signs and painted markings on the taxiways and aprons. These markers indicate the correct path for aircraft movement, often with directional arrows and alphanumeric identifiers for different taxiways and holding points. In more sophisticated implementations, the system can integrate with the airport's air traffic control and vehicle tracking systems to provide real-time information and dynamic routing.

Advanced kiitotieohjausjärjestelmä solutions may incorporate technologies such as LED lighting systems that can change color to indicate active routes or potential conflicts, or even differential GPS (DGPS) or other satellite-based navigation systems to provide precise lateral and longitudinal guidance directly to the aircraft's flight deck. The objective is to enhance situational awareness for pilots, reduce the risk of runway incursions or taxiway collisions, and optimize aircraft flow on the ground, thereby improving overall airport efficiency and safety.