For airports, the navigation guidance of runways and taxiways is a core link to ensure the safety of aircraft throughout the entire process from takeoff to landing. Whether it is a passenger aircraft or a cargo plane, during takeoff, landing and taxiing, clear visual identification is needed to determine the position and adjust the direction. Once the navigation deviates, it will at least affect the operational efficiency of the airport, and at worst, it may cause major safety accidents.
According to statistics from the civil aviation industry, nearly 30% of ground accidents at airports are related to unclear navigation signs. This data is sufficient to demonstrate that a reliable navigation system is the "first line of defense" for the safe operation of airports.
Next, NOKIN will comprehensively analyze airport solar road studs from dimensions such as product definition, working principle, airport application, and core advantages, providing professional references for airport infrastructure practitioners and purchasing decision-makers.
Airport solar road studs are special navigation devices embedded in the ground of airport runways and taxiways. They use solar energy as the core energy source and are equipped with LED lighting systems to provide visual guidance for aircraft. Unlike ordinary solar-powered road studs, its design standards, durability and lighting intensity are all customized to meet the demands of high-frequency take-offs and landings, heavy loads and complex environments at airports. It is a dedicated navigation sign product for airports.
Its appearance is mostly square or circular embedded structure. The top is covered with high-transparency material to ensure solar energy absorption and LED light penetration, while the bottom is made of high-strength metal or engineering plastic to guarantee anti-rolling performance.
The core functions of solar-powered road studs at airports revolve around "energy harvesting" and "safety guidance" :
During the day, the solar panels on the top of the road studs actively capture sunlight, converting light energy into electrical energy and storing it in the built-in lithium battery to complete the "energy storage" process.
When night falls or when encountering low visibility weather such as heavy fog or heavy rain, the light sensor built into the road studs will automatically detect the ambient brightness and trigger the LED lights to turn on.
At this time, the LED lights will emit stable or flashing strong light, serving as markers for the runway boundaries, centerlines, and taxiing paths, helping pilots clearly determine their positions and ensuring the safety of takeoff, landing, and taxiing.
Starting from the operational requirements of airports, solar-powered road studs at airports have three core characteristics:
Durability: Which can withstand the heavy loads during aircraft takeoff and landing (usually over 20 tons), and has waterproof and anti-corrosion capabilities, making it suitable for long-term and high-frequency usage scenarios at airports.
Low maintenance": Relying on solar power for self-supply, without the need to lay complex cables, reducing maintenance work such as line inspection and power consumption.
Energy conservation and environmental protection: Using renewable solar energy as the power source and not relying on traditional power grid electricity, which is in line with the low-carbon operation goals of modern airports.
On top of the Airport solar road studs, there is a highly efficient solar panel, which functions like a "charger for small batteries".
When there is sunlight during the day, this solar panel will automatically capture sunlight and directly convert light energy into electrical energy. When there is sunlight during the day, this solar panel will automatically capture sunlight and directly convert light energy into electrical energy. The converted electrical energy will be securely stored in the lithium battery (rechargeable lithium battery) in the road stud through the built-in simple circuit.
There is a "smart little switch" hidden in the solar-powered road studs at the airport - the light sensor. It is like the "eyes" of the road studs and can sense the changes of surrounding light in real time.
When dusk falls or when encountering low visibility weather such as heavy fog or heavy rain (like the foggy scenes commonly seen in foreign airports), when the light dims to a certain extent, this "eye" will trigger a command: to automatically turn on the LED lights in the road studs.
Conversely, by the next morning, when the sunlight brightens, the sensor will automatically turn off the LED lights and allow the solar panels to start "charging" again. The entire process does not require manual operation to open or close, and it is completely "automatically responsive" - this can save a lot of maintenance energy for airports that operate 24 hours a day.
After being fully charged and automatically activated, the core task of the road studs is to emit light for guidance. The LED lights in the road studs are not ordinary small light beads - their brightness is strong enough that even on the wide runway of the airport, pilots can clearly see them from hundreds of meters away or during taxiing. It mainly has two light-emitting modes, both tailor-made for airport scenarios:
Stabilizing light: Used on the centerline of the runway and taxiway, it remains on continuously, like "a light band", telling the pilot "You can't go wrong by following this path".
Flashing light: Used at the edge of the runway and the entrance of the channel, it flashes rhythmically, like a "warning signal", helping pilots quickly identify runway boundaries or turning points.
The runway is the core area for aircraft takeoff and landing, and the markings on the edge and center line of the runway serve as the "reference line" for pilots to determine the landing position. In this scenario, solar-powered runway studs at the airport play a crucial role.
At the edge of the runway, a white airport solar-powered runway stud will be embedded at intervals of 5 to 10 meters, forming a continuous "boundary line" to help pilots determine the width of the runway before landing and prevent the aircraft from deviating from the runway.
At the centerline of the runway, white airport solar-powered runway studs are also embedded at fixed intervals to form "centerline markings". Pilots can adjust the aircraft's attitude through the centerline to ensure "precise alignment" during landing - especially at night or in foggy weather The white strong light on the center line can directly guide the aircraft to taxie towards the correct landing point (touchdown position).
After the plane lands, it needs to pass through the taxiway to reach the terminal building or parking stand. However, the taxiway path is complex and has many forks. Traditional reflective signs are easily overlooked at night. Airport solar-powered runway studs can provide clear taxiing guidance.
On the straight sections of the taxiway, white airport solar-powered road studs will be embedded along both sides of the edge to form a "taxiway". At forks or turns, the density of road studs will be increased, and yellow LED lights (distinguished from the white lights on straight sections) will be used to remind pilots to adjust the direction in advance.
In addition, at the connection area between the taxiway and the runway (i.e., the "runway entrance"), red airport solar-powered runway studs will be used to mark "No Crossing Line" to prevent aircraft from mistakenly entering the runway and avoid ground conflicts.
Through this "color distinction + density adjustment" guidance method, the "deviation from course" rate of aircraft taxiing can be reduced by more than 35%, improving the operational efficiency of the airport ground.
The control of the "descent Angle" before an aircraft lands is the key to ensuring a safe landing - an Angle that is too steep can easily lead to a hard landing, while an Angle that is too shallow may cause the aircraft to miss the runway. Airport solar-powered runway studs can be specially arranged to assist pilots in maintaining the correct descent Angle.
In the area 300 to 500 meters ahead of the runway entrance, multiple rows of airport solar-powered railings will be embedded along the "ideal descent path" : the outermost railings use white LED lights to mark the "correct descent area". The inner side of the road studs are marked with red LED lights, indicating "Slide over shallow area".
When the pilot sees the white light, it indicates that the current glide Angle is normal. If a red light is seen, the aircraft's attitude should be adjusted in time to increase the glide Angle and avoid missing the runway.
This "color prompt" precise path indication method is particularly suitable for small airports or those without a precise approach system, helping pilots land safely even in the absence of complex equipment support.
The functions of different areas within the airport (such as runways, taxiways, landing zones, and parking stands) vary, and they need to be clearly distinguished by signs. The "color lights" of the solar-powered runway studs at the airport undertake this "division of labor" task.
In addition to the white (mainstream signs for runways and taxiways) and red (indications for sliding too shallow and no crossing lines) mentioned earlier, solar-powered runway studs at airports also use green, blue and other colors:
Green LED lights are mostly used for "parking stand boundaries" to remind pilots not to go beyond the range when parking.
The blue LED lights are used for "landing area identification" (the front section of the runway landing area), helping pilots determine the position where they first touch the ground.
By "dividing the work" through lights of different colors, pilots can quickly identify the current area they are in, reducing operational errors caused by area confusion.
Safety is the top priority in airport operations, and the core value of solar-powered road studs at airports is precisely to "comprehensively enhance navigation safety".
At night, traditional reflective signs rely on the illumination of aircraft headlights, while the LED strong light of the solar-powered road studs at the airport can actively emit light, with a long illumination distance and high recognition. Pilots can clearly identify them without adjusting the Angle of the headlights.
In low-visibility scenarios such as heavy fog and heavy rain, traditional lights are easily blocked by water vapor. However, the LED lights of the solar-powered road studs at the airport adopt a "penetrating" design, with a light intensity of over 2000mcd, which can penetrate thick fog and maintain clear guidance.
In addition, the "continuous marking" feature of the stud can form a "visual corridor", helping pilots maintain their flight path in complex environments and significantly reducing the risk of accidents during takeoff, landing and taxiing.
According to statistics from civil aviation safety authorities, at airports equipped with solar-powered road studs, the average ground accident rate under low visibility has decreased by 55%.
Airport runways and taxiways are subjected to the pressure of dozens of aircraft every day and are constantly exposed to wind, sun, rain and snow, which poses extremely high requirements for the durability of navigation equipment. Airport solar road studs meet this demand through a dual design of "anti-load + waterproof".
In terms of heavy load resistance, the outer shell of the road studs is made of high-strength aluminum alloy or engineering plastic, and the bottom is equipped with a reinforcing rib structure, which can withstand static pressure of more than 20 tons (equivalent to the landing weight of a Boeing 737 aircraft), and is not prone to deformation or damage after long-term rolling.
In terms of waterproofing, the sealing grade of the road studs reaches the IP68 standard, which can completely prevent dust from entering. Moreover, they can be immersed in water 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes without affecting the internal circuits. Even in the face of heavy rain or water accumulation, they can still operate normally.
In addition, the internal circuit of the road studs is designed with anti-corrosion features, which can withstand the humid and salt spray environment around the airport (especially coastal airports), and its service life can reach 8 to 10 years.
For airports, the maintenance cost of navigation equipment is a significant expense in long-term operation. However, the "low maintenance feature" of solar-powered road studs at airports can greatly reduce this burden.
Firstly, the road studs rely on solar energy for self-power supply, eliminating the need to lay cables or connect to the power grid. This saves the initial cost of cable laying and also avoids the maintenance work of later line inspection and replacement.
Secondly, the core components of the road studs (solar panels, LED lights, lithium batteries) have a long service life: the attenuation rate of solar panels is low, with no more than 10% attenuation within five years. The lifespan of LED lights is over 50,000 hours, which is equivalent to 6 years of continuous use. The lithium battery is made of lithium iron phosphate material, with a charge and discharge cycle of over 2,000 times and a service life of 3 to 5 years.
Comprehensive calculation shows that the average annual maintenance cost of solar road studs at airports is only one fifth of that of traditional navigation equipment. Long-term use can save a large amount of operating costs for airports.
Under the global "dual carbon" goals, airports, as major energy consumers, are actively promoting low-carbon operations. The "energy-saving and environmentally friendly features" of solar-powered road studs at airports precisely align with this trend.
Road studs rely solely on solar energy and do not consume non-renewable energy sources such as thermal power and hydropower in the power grid. Each road stud can reduce electricity consumption by approximately 120 kilowatt-hours annually. If a medium-sized airport installs 1,000 road studs, it can reduce electricity consumption by 120,000 kilowatt-hours each year. This is equivalent to reducing 96 tons of carbon dioxide emissions (calculated based on a thermal power carbon emission coefficient of 0.8kg per kilowatt-hour).
In addition, there is no pollutant emission during the production and use of road studs. After scrapping, the core components (such as aluminum alloy shells and lithium batteries) can be recycled and reused, which conforms to the concept of "full life cycle environmental protection".
Airport operations are not restricted by weather or seasons. Navigation equipment needs to remain stable in harsh environments such as high temperatures, low temperatures, strong winds, and sandstorms. Airport solar-powered road studs, through special design, have achieved "full environmental adaptability".
In terms of temperature adaptation, the working temperature range of the road studs is from -40 ℃ to + 70℃. In the extremely cold northern regions, lithium batteries will not fail due to low temperatures. In the high-temperature regions, the internal circuits will not short circuit due to high temperatures.
In terms of wind and sand resistance, the top light-transmitting cover of the road studs is made of impact-resistant glass, which can withstand the impact of sand and stones carried by strong winds. Moreover, the surface is treated with anti-glare and anti-dust coatings, making it less prone to dust accumulation and ensuring the efficiency of solar energy collection.
This "all-environment adaptability" capability enables the solar-powered road studs at the airport to operate stably under various climatic conditions without the need for frequent maintenance or replacement.
A1: Yes. The built-in lithium battery of the solar road studs at the airport is designed with a large capacity (usually 12V/10Ah or above), and the solar panels can collect energy through scattered light even on cloudy days.
On a completely sunny and rainy day, a fully charged lithium battery can support the LED light to work continuously for 5 to 7 days. If there are brief sunny days during this period, the solar panels can also be recharged, further extending the working time.
In addition, the control module of the road studs is equipped with a "low battery protection" function. When the battery power drops below 20%, it will automatically reduce the brightness of the LED lights (while still maintaining a recognizable state) to prevent excessive battery discharge and ensure basic navigation requirements.
A2: No. The solar-powered runway studs at the airport are installed in an "embedded manner", which is simple and efficient in the installation process and causes minimal interference to the runway operation.
During installation, simply drill a hole on the runway or taxiway ground that matches the size of the rail stud (with a depth of approximately 10-15cm), insert the rail stud into the hole, and fix it with special glue. The installation time for a single rail stud only takes 10-15 minutes.
Moreover, the installation work can be carried out during the airport's "closed window period" at night (such as from 2 to 4 a.m.), without occupying the daytime operation time.
After installation, the top of the track studs is flush with the ground, which will not affect the normal rolling of aircraft tires and will not cause damage to the runway structure.
A3: The lifespan of LED lights is up to 50,000 to 80,000 hours, and they do not need to be replaced frequently.
Based on a 10-hour night operation at the airport, the LED light of a single road stud can be used continuously for 13 to 22 years. Even taking into account a small number of tests during the day, the actual service life can reach over 10 years, far exceeding the lifespan of traditional incandescent lamps (1,000 hours) or fluorescent lamps (8,000 hours).
In addition, the LED lights of the road studs adopt a "modular design". If individual lamp beads are damaged, only the LED module needs to be replaced, without the need to replace the entire road studs. This results in low maintenance costs and convenient operation.
A4: No. The solar road studs at the airport have been specially optimized for extreme environments
When exposed to direct strong light, the solar panels of the road studs are equipped with an "overload protection" module. When the light is too strong and the voltage is too high, the module will automatically adjust the current to prevent damage to the solar panels or batteries. Meanwhile, the anti-glare coating on the top light-transmitting cover can reduce strong light reflection and avoid affecting the pilot's line of sight.
At extremely low temperatures, lithium batteries adopt the "low-temperature activation" technology, enabling normal charging and discharging even at a low temperature of -40 ℃. The wires in the internal circuit are made of low-temperature resistant materials and will not harden or break due to low temperatures, ensuring the stability of the circuit.
