Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is one of those venerable airports built with intersecting runways. And where runways intersect, there’s room for error – and accidents.

To minimize those chances, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is installing Runway Status Lights at Logan’s intersecting runways. Boston will be the first airport in the country to get them.

The lights employ a combination of ground detection systems and lights embedded in the runways and taxiways to give pilots visual cues as to whether it’s safe to cross runways, taxiways or even to take off. Pilots still have to get clearance from air traffic control. The lights don’t change that. This just adds an extra margin of safety.

The system costs some $5 million, and is supposed to be installed in November 2009.

Massport, the entity that runs Logan, says runway incursions at BOS spiked at 14 in 2005. An incursion occurs when an airplane gets too close to another aircraft, or to a piece of ground equipment, such as a truck.

Incursions are very much on the National Transportation Safety Board’s radar screen. Cutting down on their frequency remains at the top of the NTSB’s list.

Cheap flight

The savings from traveling a little further to another airport can outweigh the cost and effort of getting there.

Top tips

• Southwest often flies to nearby airports (Providence near Boston and Longbeach near Los Angeles)
• Smaller airports often have lower fees which airlines pass onto you, the consumer.
• In peak season or for big events search for deals to nearby airports for huge savings.
• Smaller airports can be quicker to get in and out of.
• Alternate airports may be more convenient for where you are traveling to.

Use this chart to find the distance (in miles) to alternative airports.

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