Runway SAFE-T Act

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. SEC. 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).''; and (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.''. <all>