FAA announces measures to improve runway safety

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After two close calls at one of the nation's busiest airports last week, many people were paying closer attention as the Federal Aviation Administration laid out plans to improve runway safety Monday.

Audio of the close calls at New York's JFK Airport last week show the confusion was unmistakable:

"I want you to make a right turn... heading one... cayman 792 just maintain 1000 please... I need a LEFT turn... a QUICK LEFT TURN... heading zero nine zero... NOW..."

In December Congressional investigators warned of a high risk of collision on the nation's runways.

The FAA laid out plans to try to cut close calls.

Over the next three years, 22 airports nationwide will get "Go" and "Don't Go" lights, essentially traffic signals to tell pilots when runways are safe.

For airports that don't get the lights, the FAA is looking into lower cost ground surveillance systems, and will provide up to $5 million to test new cockpit display and alert systems.

They have already changed sequencing procedures on JFK's perpendicular runways.

"Given that we had two in a short time frame, we're gonna see if there are additional considerations we should add to the procedure and in the meantime the airport will be used in a different configuration," explained acting FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell.

While the FAA was quick to point out severe runway incursions are actually down Nationwide, the recent close calls are, for millions of travelers, hitting a little too close to home.

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