Evaluation of Taxiway Centerline Lighting for Runway Exits and Taxiway Intersections

An evaluation was conducted on green taxiway centerline lighting to determine the feasibility of its continuance across runways to maintain continuity of taxiway guidance and use in runways on short radius curves leading into taxiways for reducing runway occupancy time. It was determined that green taxiway centerline lighting can be used in the surface of runways to provide
(1) exit guidance on short radius curves and (2) continuity of taxiway guidance across runways. By color coding green the three runway centerline lights opposite the "throat" of a taxiway used for exit purposes, a method of providing visual aids for reducing runway occupancy time resulted. Other findings concerned the need for wide beam fixtures adjacent to intersections consisting of straight sections of centerline lighting, a method of determining the minimum number of fixtures on short straight sections, and a hold bar of three yellow lights spaced 5 feet apart as a minimum adequate configuration for providing an imminence of intersection signal--also applicable for holding aircraft clear of intersecting runways and taxiways. Low-profile green reflectors were found effective as a low cost means of marking curved exits from the runway centerlines into the "throats" of taxiways for night operations.