Runway & Taxiway Lighting
Airport Runways & Infrastructure · 6 specs
Direct Answer
Airfield lighting follows strict international color codes to prevent runway incursions: Runway Edge (White / Amber), Runway Threshold (Green), Runway End (Red), Taxiway Edge (Blue), and Taxiway Centerline (Green).
Specs
| Standard Authority | ICAO Annex 14 / FAA AC 150/5340-30 |
| Runway Edge Lights | White (transitions to Amber on final 2,000 ft or half of runway) |
| Threshold Lights | Unidirectional Green indicating landing threshold |
| Runway End Lights | Unidirectional Red indicating physical end of pavement |
| Taxiway Edge Lights | Omnidirectional Blue |
| Taxiway Centerline | In-pavement Green (alternating Green/Amber in runway lead-on/off zones) |
Comprehensive Airfield Lighting Color Code Guide
| Airfield Zone | Lighting Color | Optical Function |
|---|---|---|
| Runway Edge (HIRL/MIRL) | White | Outlines lateral runway boundaries in darkness/fog |
| Runway Edge (Final 2,000 ft) | Amber / Yellow | Warns pilot that runway end is rapidly approaching |
| Runway Threshold (Arrival) | Green | Marks the beginning of usable landing touchdown zone |
| Runway End (Departure/Rollout) | Red | Marks the end of usable rollout surface |
| Runway Centerline (RCL) | White rightarrow Red/White rightarrow Red | White until 3,000 ft left, alternating Red/White to 1,000 ft, solid Red last 1,000 ft |
| Taxiway Edge | Blue | Outlines taxiway pavement edges and turns |
| Taxiway Centerline | Green | Guides aircraft center along taxiway centerline |
| Runway Guard Lights ("Wig-Wags") | Flashing Yellow | High-intensity elevated or in-pavement flashing lights at runway hold lines |
| Stop Bars | In-Pavement Red | Red stop bar lights across taxiway; extinguished by ATC when cleared onto runway |