Airport Markings and Lighting

Dr. A. A. Trani
Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
Associate Director of NEXTOR
Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA
April 21, 2003

Virginia Tech
1 of 31
 Outline of this Presentation

• A human factors problem

• How important are markings
• Why standardized markings
• Various marking schemes
• Lights
• Approach light types
• Signage

Virginia Tech
2 of 31
 A Human Factors Problem

• Cockpit visibility is an issue during approach and

landing operations
• Aircraft usually fly a 3 degree approach slope but the
actual fuselage deck angle might be 7-10 degrees with
the horizontal

Aircraft
Visibility Cone
Flight Path
Runway

Virginia Tech
3 of 31
 Aircraft Approach Attitude

Consider the aircraft attitude during the landing roll on

why markings are important

B727-200
Flare

Touchdown
Markings

Virginia Tech
4 of 31
 Runway Markings

• For detailed information refer to FAA Advisory

Circular 150/5340-1H
• There are six basic runway markings:
• Runway designation
• Centerline
• Threshold markers
• Touchdown zone
• Side stripes

• Two runway ends can have different runway markings

• When runways intersect use runway marking
precedence rules (see page 3 in AC 150/5340-1H)

Virginia Tech
5 of 31
 Runway Markings (FAA)

There are three basic runway marking arrangements

Virginia Tech
6 of 31
Runway Markings
Threshold Marks
Runway Identification Number

Touchdown Marks (1000 ft.)

Runway Edge Marks

Runway Centerline Marks

Runway Turnoff

Runway Shoulder

Virginia Tech
7 of 31
Table for Runway Markings

Source: FAA AC 150/5340-1H

Virginia Tech
8 of 31
 Runway Designation Markings

• Designates the runway magnetic azimuth (remember to

divide by 10)
• White color

Virginia Tech
9 of 31
 Runway Designation Markings

Runway CL Marks

150 ft

Runway Number
20-30 ft
Threshold Markers

Virginia Tech
10 of 31
 Runway Threshold Markings

• Two configurations:
• Configuration A - Fixed number of threshold stripes (8)
• Configuration B - Variable number of threshold stripes

Virginia Tech
11 of 31
 Runway Aiming Point Markings

• Provide guidance on where to land on the runway

• Typically start 1,020 ft. from the runway threshold (an
allowance of +/- 200 ft. is possible if runway
intersections are to be avoided)
• Two large rectangular markings (150 x 30 ft.)
• White color
• For narrow runways reduce the width proportionately.
No reduction in length is needed.

Virginia Tech
12 of 31
Runway Aiming Point Markings

Aiming Point Markers

1,020 ft.
Threshold Markers

Virginia Tech
13 of 31
 Runway Touchdown Zone Markings

• Identify touchdown zone areas

• Groups of one, two and three rectangular bars

Runway TD Markers

150 ft

Runway Number

Virginia Tech
14 of 31
 Runway Side Stripes Markings

• Delineate the runway from surrounding terrain

• Part of the usable runway
• 36 inches in width for runways 100 ft. or wider
• 18 inches if runway width is less than 100 ft.
• Extend to the displaced threshold (if available)

Virginia Tech
15 of 31
Runway Side Stripe Markings

Runway CL Marks

Runway Side Stripe Markings

CL Taxiway

Virginia Tech
16 of 31
High-Speed Exit Markings

Runway CL Marks

CL Taxiway

Virginia Tech
17 of 31
 HS Exit Markings

HS exits deserve special attention because they are

seldom used at the design speed by pilots

REDIM 3520 Geometry

35 m/s Design Exit Speed
20 Degree Exit Angle

Virginia Tech
18 of 31
 Holding Line Markers

• Delineate positions on taxiways where pilots are

expected to hold short of the runway
• Also used in Landing and Hold Short Operations
(LAHSO) - operations in intersecting runways

Source: Table 4 in FAA AC 150/5340-1H

Virginia Tech
19 of 31
 Taxiway Markings

Taxiway markings provide guidance during good and

bad weather conditions (note the yellow markings)

Cessna 650

Holding Line
Marks
Taxiway Centerline
Markings

Virginia Tech
20 of 31
 Approach Lights

• Provide navigation guidance to the runway

• Vertical and lateral guidance
• Several types of approach lighting systems have been
developed
• Check technical specifications at Honeywell web site at
http://airportsystems.honeywell.com/airfieldlighting/
productfamilies/approachlights

Virginia Tech
21 of 31
 Approach Lights Categories

• ALSF I and II - single and three intensity lighting

system (typically 2,400 ft. or longer)
• MALSF - medium intensity lighting system (1,400 ft.)
• ODALS - Omnidirectional approach lighting systems
• SSALR - high-intensity lighting system (2,400 ft.)
• MALSR - medium intensity system (2,400 ft.)
• MALS - medium intensity system (1,400 ft.)

Virginia Tech
22 of 31
 Typical Approach Lights

The approach lights provide roll guidance during

landing (very important during low visibility operations)

3000 ft
2000 ft

Virginia Tech
23 of 31
 Sample View from the Cockpit

Another sample of precision approach lights as viewed

from 1000 ft (note the color of these lights)
HS Exits
Touchdown Lights
Runway End
Identififier
Lights (REIL)

Virginia Tech
24 of 31
 Detail of High Speed Exit Lights

HS exit lights are shown in more detail in this figure

HS Exit Lights

Touchdown Lights

REIL

Virginia Tech
25 of 31
Placement of Runway Touchdown Lights

Runway lights are flushed on runways to avoid damage

to the aircraft landing gear

Mounting
Support

17” inch
PCC
26 inches Runway

Virginia Tech
26 of 31
 Runway Light Fixtures (RLF)

RLF are frangible structures located near the runway or

taxiway shoulders

Shoulder

Light Fixture

Virginia Tech
27 of 31
 Apron Lights

Apron areas need to be properly lighted to help pilots

guide aircraft under adverse weather conditions

UPS Boeing 747

PW JT9D-7R
Engine

Virginia Tech
28 of 31
 Apron Lights (Deicing Crane)

Deicing sections near runways or aprons have to be

properly lighted to avoid ground collisions

Adjustable Deicing
Crane at UPS
Facility

245 ft

Virginia Tech
29 of 31
 Airport Signs

Airport signs are very important to provide guidance on

runways, taxiways and apron areas

36 inches

Virginia Tech
30 of 31
 Runway Length Markers

Remaining runway markers are very critical to pilots

during takeoff roll manuevers

In this case the

remaining runway
is 6,000 ft long

Virginia Tech
31 of 31