If you watch any 28R approach video for SFO on YouTube, you'll be even more surprised. Because there is no way you can mistake the taxiway for the runway. There is a huge array of lights pointing the pilot towards the runway.
I would imagine this would be more of a problem during the day because the lights are not as bright compared to the ambient light.
I would think the best way to get this detected early would be to integrate some logic into the ATC radar. As the plane gets closer to the runway (or taxiway!), it should be easy to tell where the pilot is going by looking at the track and issue an automated warning.
I would imagine this would be more of a problem during the day because the lights are not as bright compared to the ambient light.
I would think the best way to get this detected early would be to integrate some logic into the ATC radar. As the plane gets closer to the runway (or taxiway!), it should be easy to tell where the pilot is going by looking at the track and issue an automated warning.