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TRIMIS

The Endless Runway

PROJECTS
Funding
European
European Union
Duration
-
Status
Complete with results
Geo-spatial type
Infrastructure Node
Total project cost
€709 948
EU Contribution
€562 242
Project Acronym
ENDLESS RUNWAY
STRIA Roadmaps
Infrastructure (INF)
Transport mode
Airborne icon
Transport sectors
Passenger transport,
Freight transport

Overview

Call for proposal
FP7-AAT-2012-RTD-L0
Link to CORDIS
Background & Policy context

The airports capacity is determined by the capacity of its runway system. The real capacity is usually lower than the declared capacity because of weather restrictions (cross- and tailwind and visibility) and because of dependencies between runways.

Aircraft need to take off and land within defined cross- and tailwind limits. The direction of the runway determines the cross- and tailwind components. With changing wind (direction and speed), other runways in other directions need to be used.

Objectives

Endless Runway investigates the use of a circular runway. Starting anywhere in the circle, aircraft can take off from the point where the crosswind is at minimum (or zero). Just as well, they can land at the point where they fly exactly headwind and continue their landing roll in the circle, exiting anywhere where they are closest to their gate. This will create a runway that can be used under any conditions without loss of capacity.

Funding

Parent Programmes
Institution Type
Public institution
Institution Name
The European Commission
Type of funding
Public (EU)

Results

Circular runways may improve air travel

The idea of a circular runway for airports could help revolutionise air travel, shortening flight times, saving fuel costs and promoting airport efficiency.

The design of airport runways has remained largely unchanged ever since aeroplanes were created. The EU-funded project 'The endless runway' (http://www.endlessrunway-project.eu/ (ENDLESS RUNWAY)) conceived a revolutionary design for a runway, based on a circular track that runs around the airport. Such a runway could enable planes to take-off in any direction and land from any direction, shortening trajectories, avoiding runway crossings and facilitating landings in any weather.

More specifically, the project team proposed a circular runway that would have a radius of 1.5 to 2.5 km, which enables changes to existing airports more readily. Such a runway would also be 400 m wide, striking a balance between limiting centrifugal forces and safety considerations. Interestingly, several aircraft can operate such a 10 km runway at the same time.

To achieve its aims, the project evaluated three operational models. The first was designed for low-wind scenarios where any part of the circle can be used in any direction. The second, on the other hand, involved a high-wind scenario that was similar to an airport with two parallel runways. Lastly, the third model considered changing winds, involving an aircraft sequence that gradually 'moves' with the wind direction.

With these scenarios in mind, the project team found that the concept could shorten take-off and landing tracks overall by 10 % in comparison to straight runways. The model fosters more sustainable operations that don't always rely on the wind, with total land use being smaller than that of conventional airports. While construction costs will be 10–60 % higher, the concept offers benefits in terms of shorter trajectories, less taxi time and continuous capacity, ideal for increasing air capacity in the world.

ENDLESS RUNWAY has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the circular runway project, highlighting benefits, future requirements and outlook. If Europe's airports shift to such a model, they could realise significant fuel savings and streamline air travel. Exciting possibilities are in store for air travel in Europe.

Partners

Lead Organisation
Organisation
Stichting Centrum Voor De Ontwikkeling Van Transport En Logistiek In Europa
Address
Van Nelleweg 1, 3044 BC Rotterdam, Netherlands
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€182 249
Partner Organisations
Organisation
Instytut Lotnictwa
Address
Krakowska 110/114, 02 256 Warszawa, Poland
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€33 250
Organisation
Office National D'etudes Et De Recherches Aerospatiales
Address
CHEMIN DE LA HUNIERE, 91120 PALAISEAU, France
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€125 492
Organisation
Deutsches Zentrum Fr Luft Und Raumfahrt E.v
Address
Linder Hoehe, 51147 KOELN, Germany
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€118 898
Organisation
Instituto Nacional De Técnica Aeroespacial
Address
Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4,5, 28850 TORREJON DE ARDOZ, Spain
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€102 353

Technologies

Technology Theme
Aircraft operations and safety
Technology
Future-proof airport
Development phase
Research/Invention

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