AMSTERDAM — Scientists in the Netherlands are working at the country’s aerospace center to develop circular airport runways. <br /> <br />After several years of research, scientist Henk Hesselink believes that circular runways could have several benefits, including being more environmentally friendly and less noisy, the BBC reported. <br /> <br />The European Commission funded the research project called the Endless Runway, on which Hesselink and five European institutes collaborated together, the NL Times reported. <br /> <br />The group proposed constructing a 3.5-km-wide circular runway with banked sides divided into 18 runway segments, with the airport terminal in the center of the circle. <br /> <br />The length of the runway would be equal to three straight runways, while being able to handle the air traffic of four. <br /> <br />Circular runways would allow planes to land and take off at any point in the circle, according to Hesselink. <br /> <br />Pilots would be able to land in directions with the most favorable weather conditions, while avoiding difficult maneuvers in situations such as strong crosswinds. <br /> <br />The circular design would also mean aircraft would have to circle the airport less, thus using less fuel. <br /> <br />The design allows for three planes to land and take off at the same time. <br /> <br />Because of centrifugal forces, planes would automatically go slower, and move towards the center of the runway, Hesselink said. <br /> <br />Circular runways could also limit noise pollution by spreading it out more evenly around the airport. <br /> <br />The U.S. military conducted tests in the 1960s with circular runways, but commercial circular runways have never been built.
