在世界各地的機場中，我們可以看到不同的跑道佈局，有些機場採用平行跑道設計，而有些則擁有交叉跑道。交叉跑道的設計並非偶然，主要是根據風向、地形、歷史發展等多種因素決定。延伸閱讀：《知識》機場跑道數字及各種標誌代表的意思
風向因素
飛機在起降時通常需要迎風（逆風）操作，以獲得額外的升力並減少滑行距離。因此，機場會根據當地的風向設計跑道。然而，某些地區的風向變化較大，單一方向的跑道可能無法適應所有狀況，這時交叉跑道便能提供不同方向的選擇，確保飛機能夠安全起降。延伸閱讀：《知識》飛機「側風著陸」的方式
地形因素
有些機場因地形條件（如山脈、海洋或城市建築）而無法採用平行跑道設計，這時交叉跑道能夠更有效地利用有限的空間。例如，芝加哥中途機場（MDW）因位於市中心，受到周圍建築物的限制，因此採用了交叉跑道設計，以最大化可用空間。
歷史發展因素
許多機場最初建設時規模較小，隨著需求增加才擴建其它跑道。然而，由於原有設施的影響，新建跑道可能無法完全平行，因此形成了交叉跑道。例如，舊金山國際機場（SFO）擁有多條交叉跑道，這與機場的擴建歷史有關。
雖然現代大型機場更傾向於採用平行跑道，但基於上述因素，交叉跑道能讓機場更靈活地安排起降，提高整體運作效率。交叉跑道有其優勢，不過其交會點的確存在潛在的相撞風險。因此，機場與空中交通管制必須採取多種措施來確保飛行安全。透過嚴格的空中交通管制、時間管理、地面標誌與技術輔助，機場能夠有效降低相撞風險。延伸閱讀：《知識》空中交通管制(Air Traffic Control)介紹
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Why do some airports have intersecting runways? Aren't they dangerous?
Airports around the world have different runway layouts. Some airports use parallel runways, while others have intersecting runways. The design of intersecting runways is not accidental. It is mainly determined by factors such as wind direction, terrain, and historical development.Wind Direction
Aircraft usually need to take off and land into the wind to get extra lift and reduce taxiing distance. Therefore, airports are designed with runways based on the local wind direction. However, the wind direction in some areas changes greatly, and a single-direction runway may not be able to adapt to all situations. At this time, intersecting runways can provide different directions to ensure that aircraft can take off and land safely.
Terrain
Some airports cannot use parallel runways due to terrain conditions (such as mountains, oceans, or urban buildings). In this case, intersecting runways can more effectively use the limited space. For example, Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is located in the city center and is restricted by surrounding buildings. Therefore, it uses an intersecting runway design to maximize the available space.
Historical Development
Many airports were initially built on a smaller scale, and other runways were expanded as demand increased. However, due to the impact of the original facilities, the new runways may not be completely parallel, thus forming intersecting runways. For example, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has multiple intersecting runways, which is related to the airport's expansion history.
Although modern large airports tend to use parallel runways, intersecting runways can allow airports to arrange takeoffs and landings more flexibly and improve overall operating efficiency based on the above factors. Intersecting runways have their advantages, but their intersection points do have potential collision risks. Therefore, airports and air traffic control (ATC) must take various measures to ensure flight safety. Through strict air traffic control, time management, ground signs and technical assistance, airports can effectively reduce the risk of collisions.
