Is it possible to drive into Gibraltar Airport's runway?











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13
down vote

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1












The runway of Gibraltar Airport crosses an active 4 lane highway
enter image description here



Example Video.



My question is are there any security measures which prevent normal traffic to enter the airport through the runway, when runway is not in use?
How much security risk does such an intersecting runway with civilian road provides?



Edit: To make the situation more realistic, assume that some very hostile elements are heading towards the airport, and maybe they need only 5 minutes to throw a grenade at an aircraft, or open fire or cause some other similar destruction.
I am specifically looking at how fast would the response of airport security at Gibraltar Airport would be in such a situation, especially given that it's a small airport with only around 15 departures in a day. And, simply if there are any measures to prevent normal traffic from entering the airport boundary in first case.?









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  • 2




    Grenade or gunfire are probably even more than you need. If a terrorist didn't care about surviving, I imagine they could just drive a big truck in front through those gates and stop it right in front of the plane, once the plane is going fast enough that it can't stop. I don't know whether the intersection is late enough that the plane could just take off earlier to miss the truck.
    – yshavit
    19 hours ago










  • Sumburgh airport also has a road crossing it. tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/…
    – CSM
    19 hours ago






  • 2




    But you could do this at most any airport. For instance, at the FBO we tie down at (medium-sized commercial airport), access is controlled by a chain-link gate. If you didn't care about scratching your vehicle, you could drive through it quite easily.
    – jamesqf
    18 hours ago






  • 4




    Your question is written with 4 different questions all mixed in. The title asks if it is possible to drive "into" the runway. The photo and video you posted obviously shows vehicle and pedestrian traffic "on" the runway. So, the question is self-answered. Next, you ask what security measures are in place to prevent this traffic from going to the airport. (I assume you mean the aircraft parking area of the airport?). Next you ask for a quantified "risk level". And, finally, you ask what the response would be to a given threat. I suggest you edit to clarify what you want to know.
    – Jimmy
    16 hours ago






  • 2




    It’s apparently not all that difficult to drive onto a US Navy base and crash into an F-18. Neither the navy personnel nor the police stopped them, but they did not survive the encounter with a parked jet.
    – TomMcW
    9 hours ago















up vote
13
down vote

favorite
1












The runway of Gibraltar Airport crosses an active 4 lane highway
enter image description here



Example Video.



My question is are there any security measures which prevent normal traffic to enter the airport through the runway, when runway is not in use?
How much security risk does such an intersecting runway with civilian road provides?



Edit: To make the situation more realistic, assume that some very hostile elements are heading towards the airport, and maybe they need only 5 minutes to throw a grenade at an aircraft, or open fire or cause some other similar destruction.
I am specifically looking at how fast would the response of airport security at Gibraltar Airport would be in such a situation, especially given that it's a small airport with only around 15 departures in a day. And, simply if there are any measures to prevent normal traffic from entering the airport boundary in first case.?









share




















  • 2




    Grenade or gunfire are probably even more than you need. If a terrorist didn't care about surviving, I imagine they could just drive a big truck in front through those gates and stop it right in front of the plane, once the plane is going fast enough that it can't stop. I don't know whether the intersection is late enough that the plane could just take off earlier to miss the truck.
    – yshavit
    19 hours ago










  • Sumburgh airport also has a road crossing it. tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/…
    – CSM
    19 hours ago






  • 2




    But you could do this at most any airport. For instance, at the FBO we tie down at (medium-sized commercial airport), access is controlled by a chain-link gate. If you didn't care about scratching your vehicle, you could drive through it quite easily.
    – jamesqf
    18 hours ago






  • 4




    Your question is written with 4 different questions all mixed in. The title asks if it is possible to drive "into" the runway. The photo and video you posted obviously shows vehicle and pedestrian traffic "on" the runway. So, the question is self-answered. Next, you ask what security measures are in place to prevent this traffic from going to the airport. (I assume you mean the aircraft parking area of the airport?). Next you ask for a quantified "risk level". And, finally, you ask what the response would be to a given threat. I suggest you edit to clarify what you want to know.
    – Jimmy
    16 hours ago






  • 2




    It’s apparently not all that difficult to drive onto a US Navy base and crash into an F-18. Neither the navy personnel nor the police stopped them, but they did not survive the encounter with a parked jet.
    – TomMcW
    9 hours ago













up vote
13
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
13
down vote

favorite
1






1





The runway of Gibraltar Airport crosses an active 4 lane highway
enter image description here



Example Video.



My question is are there any security measures which prevent normal traffic to enter the airport through the runway, when runway is not in use?
How much security risk does such an intersecting runway with civilian road provides?



Edit: To make the situation more realistic, assume that some very hostile elements are heading towards the airport, and maybe they need only 5 minutes to throw a grenade at an aircraft, or open fire or cause some other similar destruction.
I am specifically looking at how fast would the response of airport security at Gibraltar Airport would be in such a situation, especially given that it's a small airport with only around 15 departures in a day. And, simply if there are any measures to prevent normal traffic from entering the airport boundary in first case.?









share















The runway of Gibraltar Airport crosses an active 4 lane highway
enter image description here



Example Video.



My question is are there any security measures which prevent normal traffic to enter the airport through the runway, when runway is not in use?
How much security risk does such an intersecting runway with civilian road provides?



Edit: To make the situation more realistic, assume that some very hostile elements are heading towards the airport, and maybe they need only 5 minutes to throw a grenade at an aircraft, or open fire or cause some other similar destruction.
I am specifically looking at how fast would the response of airport security at Gibraltar Airport would be in such a situation, especially given that it's a small airport with only around 15 departures in a day. And, simply if there are any measures to prevent normal traffic from entering the airport boundary in first case.?







runways security airport-design





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edited 19 hours ago

























asked 20 hours ago









anshabhi

5,6231153121




5,6231153121








  • 2




    Grenade or gunfire are probably even more than you need. If a terrorist didn't care about surviving, I imagine they could just drive a big truck in front through those gates and stop it right in front of the plane, once the plane is going fast enough that it can't stop. I don't know whether the intersection is late enough that the plane could just take off earlier to miss the truck.
    – yshavit
    19 hours ago










  • Sumburgh airport also has a road crossing it. tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/…
    – CSM
    19 hours ago






  • 2




    But you could do this at most any airport. For instance, at the FBO we tie down at (medium-sized commercial airport), access is controlled by a chain-link gate. If you didn't care about scratching your vehicle, you could drive through it quite easily.
    – jamesqf
    18 hours ago






  • 4




    Your question is written with 4 different questions all mixed in. The title asks if it is possible to drive "into" the runway. The photo and video you posted obviously shows vehicle and pedestrian traffic "on" the runway. So, the question is self-answered. Next, you ask what security measures are in place to prevent this traffic from going to the airport. (I assume you mean the aircraft parking area of the airport?). Next you ask for a quantified "risk level". And, finally, you ask what the response would be to a given threat. I suggest you edit to clarify what you want to know.
    – Jimmy
    16 hours ago






  • 2




    It’s apparently not all that difficult to drive onto a US Navy base and crash into an F-18. Neither the navy personnel nor the police stopped them, but they did not survive the encounter with a parked jet.
    – TomMcW
    9 hours ago














  • 2




    Grenade or gunfire are probably even more than you need. If a terrorist didn't care about surviving, I imagine they could just drive a big truck in front through those gates and stop it right in front of the plane, once the plane is going fast enough that it can't stop. I don't know whether the intersection is late enough that the plane could just take off earlier to miss the truck.
    – yshavit
    19 hours ago










  • Sumburgh airport also has a road crossing it. tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/…
    – CSM
    19 hours ago






  • 2




    But you could do this at most any airport. For instance, at the FBO we tie down at (medium-sized commercial airport), access is controlled by a chain-link gate. If you didn't care about scratching your vehicle, you could drive through it quite easily.
    – jamesqf
    18 hours ago






  • 4




    Your question is written with 4 different questions all mixed in. The title asks if it is possible to drive "into" the runway. The photo and video you posted obviously shows vehicle and pedestrian traffic "on" the runway. So, the question is self-answered. Next, you ask what security measures are in place to prevent this traffic from going to the airport. (I assume you mean the aircraft parking area of the airport?). Next you ask for a quantified "risk level". And, finally, you ask what the response would be to a given threat. I suggest you edit to clarify what you want to know.
    – Jimmy
    16 hours ago






  • 2




    It’s apparently not all that difficult to drive onto a US Navy base and crash into an F-18. Neither the navy personnel nor the police stopped them, but they did not survive the encounter with a parked jet.
    – TomMcW
    9 hours ago








2




2




Grenade or gunfire are probably even more than you need. If a terrorist didn't care about surviving, I imagine they could just drive a big truck in front through those gates and stop it right in front of the plane, once the plane is going fast enough that it can't stop. I don't know whether the intersection is late enough that the plane could just take off earlier to miss the truck.
– yshavit
19 hours ago




Grenade or gunfire are probably even more than you need. If a terrorist didn't care about surviving, I imagine they could just drive a big truck in front through those gates and stop it right in front of the plane, once the plane is going fast enough that it can't stop. I don't know whether the intersection is late enough that the plane could just take off earlier to miss the truck.
– yshavit
19 hours ago












Sumburgh airport also has a road crossing it. tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/…
– CSM
19 hours ago




Sumburgh airport also has a road crossing it. tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/…
– CSM
19 hours ago




2




2




But you could do this at most any airport. For instance, at the FBO we tie down at (medium-sized commercial airport), access is controlled by a chain-link gate. If you didn't care about scratching your vehicle, you could drive through it quite easily.
– jamesqf
18 hours ago




But you could do this at most any airport. For instance, at the FBO we tie down at (medium-sized commercial airport), access is controlled by a chain-link gate. If you didn't care about scratching your vehicle, you could drive through it quite easily.
– jamesqf
18 hours ago




4




4




Your question is written with 4 different questions all mixed in. The title asks if it is possible to drive "into" the runway. The photo and video you posted obviously shows vehicle and pedestrian traffic "on" the runway. So, the question is self-answered. Next, you ask what security measures are in place to prevent this traffic from going to the airport. (I assume you mean the aircraft parking area of the airport?). Next you ask for a quantified "risk level". And, finally, you ask what the response would be to a given threat. I suggest you edit to clarify what you want to know.
– Jimmy
16 hours ago




Your question is written with 4 different questions all mixed in. The title asks if it is possible to drive "into" the runway. The photo and video you posted obviously shows vehicle and pedestrian traffic "on" the runway. So, the question is self-answered. Next, you ask what security measures are in place to prevent this traffic from going to the airport. (I assume you mean the aircraft parking area of the airport?). Next you ask for a quantified "risk level". And, finally, you ask what the response would be to a given threat. I suggest you edit to clarify what you want to know.
– Jimmy
16 hours ago




2




2




It’s apparently not all that difficult to drive onto a US Navy base and crash into an F-18. Neither the navy personnel nor the police stopped them, but they did not survive the encounter with a parked jet.
– TomMcW
9 hours ago




It’s apparently not all that difficult to drive onto a US Navy base and crash into an F-18. Neither the navy personnel nor the police stopped them, but they did not survive the encounter with a parked jet.
– TomMcW
9 hours ago










2 Answers
2






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oldest

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up vote
14
down vote



accepted










There are no physical restraints to entering the runway when the road is open.



You can see from this video of the crossing that Gibraltar police and the base for the Royal Air Force are present. The runway is owned by the Ministry of Defence. Anyone attempting to drive on the runway will probably be intercepted in seconds, although I am not aware of any reported attempts.



There are plans to build a new four-lane diversion road and tunnel section. Construction started in 2008 but it still hasn't been completed as of 2018. The crossing across the runway will be kept for exceptional, specific, or emergency use but pedestrians will still be able to use the crossing.



enter image description here






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    10
    down vote













    Yes you could. I would expect airport security to come right after you.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 2




      This should possibly be a comment.
      – anshabhi
      19 hours ago






    • 5




      This should be an answer. I don’t see security measure for road crossing the runway.
      – vasin1987
      19 hours ago






    • 3




      If you think security measures need to be visible to be effective, you've been spending too much time around airports ;)
      – Harper
      18 hours ago






    • 21




      Username checks out
      – Zach Lipton
      17 hours ago






    • 1




      This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
      – Sean
      8 hours ago











    Your Answer





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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    14
    down vote



    accepted










    There are no physical restraints to entering the runway when the road is open.



    You can see from this video of the crossing that Gibraltar police and the base for the Royal Air Force are present. The runway is owned by the Ministry of Defence. Anyone attempting to drive on the runway will probably be intercepted in seconds, although I am not aware of any reported attempts.



    There are plans to build a new four-lane diversion road and tunnel section. Construction started in 2008 but it still hasn't been completed as of 2018. The crossing across the runway will be kept for exceptional, specific, or emergency use but pedestrians will still be able to use the crossing.



    enter image description here






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      14
      down vote



      accepted










      There are no physical restraints to entering the runway when the road is open.



      You can see from this video of the crossing that Gibraltar police and the base for the Royal Air Force are present. The runway is owned by the Ministry of Defence. Anyone attempting to drive on the runway will probably be intercepted in seconds, although I am not aware of any reported attempts.



      There are plans to build a new four-lane diversion road and tunnel section. Construction started in 2008 but it still hasn't been completed as of 2018. The crossing across the runway will be kept for exceptional, specific, or emergency use but pedestrians will still be able to use the crossing.



      enter image description here






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        14
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        14
        down vote



        accepted






        There are no physical restraints to entering the runway when the road is open.



        You can see from this video of the crossing that Gibraltar police and the base for the Royal Air Force are present. The runway is owned by the Ministry of Defence. Anyone attempting to drive on the runway will probably be intercepted in seconds, although I am not aware of any reported attempts.



        There are plans to build a new four-lane diversion road and tunnel section. Construction started in 2008 but it still hasn't been completed as of 2018. The crossing across the runway will be kept for exceptional, specific, or emergency use but pedestrians will still be able to use the crossing.



        enter image description here






        share|improve this answer














        There are no physical restraints to entering the runway when the road is open.



        You can see from this video of the crossing that Gibraltar police and the base for the Royal Air Force are present. The runway is owned by the Ministry of Defence. Anyone attempting to drive on the runway will probably be intercepted in seconds, although I am not aware of any reported attempts.



        There are plans to build a new four-lane diversion road and tunnel section. Construction started in 2008 but it still hasn't been completed as of 2018. The crossing across the runway will be kept for exceptional, specific, or emergency use but pedestrians will still be able to use the crossing.



        enter image description here







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 16 hours ago

























        answered 17 hours ago









        Ambo100

        302211




        302211






















            up vote
            10
            down vote













            Yes you could. I would expect airport security to come right after you.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              This should possibly be a comment.
              – anshabhi
              19 hours ago






            • 5




              This should be an answer. I don’t see security measure for road crossing the runway.
              – vasin1987
              19 hours ago






            • 3




              If you think security measures need to be visible to be effective, you've been spending too much time around airports ;)
              – Harper
              18 hours ago






            • 21




              Username checks out
              – Zach Lipton
              17 hours ago






            • 1




              This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
              – Sean
              8 hours ago















            up vote
            10
            down vote













            Yes you could. I would expect airport security to come right after you.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              This should possibly be a comment.
              – anshabhi
              19 hours ago






            • 5




              This should be an answer. I don’t see security measure for road crossing the runway.
              – vasin1987
              19 hours ago






            • 3




              If you think security measures need to be visible to be effective, you've been spending too much time around airports ;)
              – Harper
              18 hours ago






            • 21




              Username checks out
              – Zach Lipton
              17 hours ago






            • 1




              This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
              – Sean
              8 hours ago













            up vote
            10
            down vote










            up vote
            10
            down vote









            Yes you could. I would expect airport security to come right after you.






            share|improve this answer












            Yes you could. I would expect airport security to come right after you.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 20 hours ago









            CrossRoads

            3,6611316




            3,6611316








            • 2




              This should possibly be a comment.
              – anshabhi
              19 hours ago






            • 5




              This should be an answer. I don’t see security measure for road crossing the runway.
              – vasin1987
              19 hours ago






            • 3




              If you think security measures need to be visible to be effective, you've been spending too much time around airports ;)
              – Harper
              18 hours ago






            • 21




              Username checks out
              – Zach Lipton
              17 hours ago






            • 1




              This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
              – Sean
              8 hours ago














            • 2




              This should possibly be a comment.
              – anshabhi
              19 hours ago






            • 5




              This should be an answer. I don’t see security measure for road crossing the runway.
              – vasin1987
              19 hours ago






            • 3




              If you think security measures need to be visible to be effective, you've been spending too much time around airports ;)
              – Harper
              18 hours ago






            • 21




              Username checks out
              – Zach Lipton
              17 hours ago






            • 1




              This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
              – Sean
              8 hours ago








            2




            2




            This should possibly be a comment.
            – anshabhi
            19 hours ago




            This should possibly be a comment.
            – anshabhi
            19 hours ago




            5




            5




            This should be an answer. I don’t see security measure for road crossing the runway.
            – vasin1987
            19 hours ago




            This should be an answer. I don’t see security measure for road crossing the runway.
            – vasin1987
            19 hours ago




            3




            3




            If you think security measures need to be visible to be effective, you've been spending too much time around airports ;)
            – Harper
            18 hours ago




            If you think security measures need to be visible to be effective, you've been spending too much time around airports ;)
            – Harper
            18 hours ago




            21




            21




            Username checks out
            – Zach Lipton
            17 hours ago




            Username checks out
            – Zach Lipton
            17 hours ago




            1




            1




            This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
            – Sean
            8 hours ago




            This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
            – Sean
            8 hours ago


















             

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