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S. 5224

Runway SAFE-T Act

Shown here: Introduced in Senate (2026-08-04)

To improve training for airport drivers in the movement area at commercial service airports through the establishment of a task force and the use of technology, and for other purposes.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Runway Surface Awareness and Focused, Effective Training and Technology Act” or the “Runway SAFE-T Act”.

2. Task force on airport driver training

(a) In general

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall convene a task force on airport driver training programs (in this section referred to as the “Task Force”).

(b) Composition

The Task Force shall be composed of members appointed by the Administrator, which shall include—

(1) representatives of national organizations representing airport sponsors and airport executives;

(2) representatives of commercial service airports, including at least 1 representative of—

(A) large-hub airports;

(B) medium-hub airports;

(C) small-hub airports; and

(D) nonhub primary airports;

(3) three representatives of air carriers and airline and cargo ground handling companies (including fixed- based operators) who service air carriers;

(4) individuals with demonstrated experience in aviation training, including classroom instructor led training, and training technologies and systems;

(5) designees from the Office of Airports and Air Traffic Organization of the FAA;

(6) representatives from an organization that represents aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) personnel;

(7) a career representative from the National Transportation Safety Board with subject matter expertise as an observer;

(8) at least 3 representatives from labor that operate vehicles in the airport movement area or work the air traffic in the airport movement area;

(9) representatives of air medical operators;

(10) representatives of air traffic control companies with expertise in technologies that provide airport surface detection or surveillance or otherwise provide greater situational awareness for drivers of airport ground vehicles and air traffic controllers;

(11) a representative designated by the Secretary of War with expertise in military aviation operations conducted at joint-use or commercial service airports; and

(12) other individuals the Administrator deems appropriate.

(c) Development of recommendations

The Task Force shall develop recommendations for the Administrator to consider for implementation to enhance and modernize training programs for personnel authorized to operate vehicles in the movement area at part 139 airports. In developing such recommendations for the Administrator, the Task Force shall consider the following:

(1) Improving the consistency of movement area driver safety training across part 139 airports nationwide.

(2) Enhancing recurrent training requirements for personnel authorized to operate vehicles in the movement area.

(3) The feasibility and value of a part 139 airport, or its contractors, attesting that personnel are authorized to operate vehicles in the movement area in accordance with FAA-approved certification standards.

(4) Existing training technologies including classroom instructor led training and systems that may be utilized to improve movement area driver training programs.

(5) Other technology, measures, and training enhancements that could reduce the frequency and severity of vehicle-involved surface events, vehicle and pedestrian deviations, and other surface safety incidents.

(6) Barriers, including cost, accessibility, and workforce availability, that may limit part 139 airports from adopting emerging training technologies.

(7) The feasibility and value of enhancing training for personnel authorized to operate vehicles on paved surfaces immediately adjacent to or intersecting movement areas.

(8) Other items determined appropriate by the Administrator.

(d) Final report

Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Task Force is established under subsection (a), the Task Force shall submit to the Administrator, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the recommendations developed under subsection (c).

(e) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the FAA.

(2) FAA

The term FAA means the Federal Aviation Administration.

(3) Movement area

The term movement area means the runways, taxiways, and other areas of an airport that are used for taxiing, takeoff, and landing of aircraft, exclusive of loading ramps and aircraft parking areas.

(4) Part 139 airport

The term part 139 airport means an airport certified under part 139 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).

(5) Surface event and vehicle

The terms surface event and vehicle have the respective meanings specified for such terms in Federal Aviation Administration order 7050.1B (or any successor document).

(6) Vehicle-involved surface event

The term vehicle-involved surface event means a surface event that involves—

(A) operation of any vehicle (including an aircraft tow vehicle or towing tractor); or

(B) operation of an aircraft under its own power by an individual other than a flightcrew member (as defined in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor provision) for such aircraft.

3. Funding for vehicle movement area training and technology

Section 47115(j) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(E) Application
Subparagraphs (A) through (D) shall not apply to grants under paragraph (5).

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(5) Vehicle movement area training and technology
(A) Available funding
Of the amounts available under this subsection for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, the Secretary may provide grants to airport sponsors for projects described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Eligible projects
The projects described in this subparagraph are the following:
(i) Projects for the purchase of vehicle movement area technology, including hardware, software, sensors, onboard vehicle equipment, displays, communications equipment, positioning or geolocation equipment, mapping systems, situational awareness systems, simulation systems, or other related technology, that is designed to improve the safe operation of vehicles in the movement area of an airport.
(ii) Projects for the acquisition, licensing, subscription, deployment, integration, operation, maintenance, and recurring use of technology-enabled training systems, software, and services for vehicle operators in the movement area.
(C) Priority
In making grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that—
(i) are designed to reduce vehicle-involved surface event or other vehicle related surface safety incidents;
(ii) improve situational awareness for vehicle operators and radio communications in the movement area;
(iii) can be tailored to the specific airfield geometry, signage, markings, lighting, communications, and operating procedures of the airport at which the technology will be used; or
(iv) are proposed by airport sponsors and demonstrate cost, accessibility, workforce availability, or other barriers to purchasing or deploying vehicle movement area technology.
(D) Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i) Movement area
The term movement area means the runways, taxiways, and other areas of an airport that are used for taxiing, takeoff, and landing of aircraft, exclusive of loading ramps and aircraft parking areas.
(ii) Surface event and vehicle
The terms surface event and vehicle have the respective meanings specified for such terms in Federal Aviation Administration order 7050.1B (or any successor document).
(iii) Vehicle-involved surface event
The term vehicle-involved surface event means a surface event that involves—
(I) operation of any vehicle (including an aircraft tow vehicle or towing tractor); or
(II) operation of an aircraft under its own power by an individual other than a flightcrew member (as defined in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor provision) for such aircraft.
(E) Savings provision
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the eligibility of a project described in subparagraph (B) for funding under any other provision of this chapter.

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