Robust Method to Detect and Track the Runway during Aircraft Landing Using Colour segmentation and Runway features

Abstract

Airport runway detection and tracking can play an important role in landing an aircraft. In some situations the runway may not be visible to pilot due to adverse weather condition. Considering the case of Unmanned aerial vehicles, the runway detection and tracking algorithm is one of its essential part which enable them to position itself and land safely. This paper explains an algorithm which will track the runway when it is visible using a camera. The algorithm is based on identification of runway colour and runway characteristics. This method ensures the detection of runway accurately. Algorithm detects the runway boundaries by selecting the appropriate hough lines using runway characteristics and runway colour. Once the runway is detected it tracks the runway using feature matching techniques. In tracking phase the algorithm will track the runway and it will find out the accurate runway boundary and threshold stripes. This algorithm can be used to assist pilot during landing and it can be also used to detect runways in UAVs.