CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sources told Eyewitness News the runway traffic lights President Barack Obama is pushing for millions of dollars to bring to Charlotte Douglas International Airport are already there.
Similar to street traffic lights, these lights are installed in runways as an added safety measure for pilots.
Channel 9 asked why they are not being used.
The airport is scheduled to have the new runway status lights letting pilots know where to land, cross or take off by 2017, but sources told Eyewitness News that hardware for the anti-crash technology has already been at Charlotte-Douglas for years.
Channel 9 reached out to airport officials, the pilots association, air traffic control and the Federal Aviation Administration for answers.
Sources said the technology is attached to a radar system on top of the tower but it has to be connected to the current system.
It on a high priority list, but will take time and money make happen.
Some question if the president's allotted $42 million is worth it to run this system nationwide.
The FAA said cost to get it up and running in Charlotte is $10 million.
WSOC
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