Identification of Exit Taxiways (Retroreflective Markers Only)
The purpose of the exit taxiway lighting is to enable the pilot to expeditiously exit from the runway to a taxiway. There is evidence that this has not been satisfactorily accomplished by the present lighting for short-radius exit taxiways. This report evaluated the use of surface retroreflective markers for identifying short-radius exit taxiways at night. The markers are intended for locations where the cost of inset centerline lighting cannot be justified. The results indicate that there was an improvement in the pilots ability to identify the exit taxiway associated with the exit-taxiway retroreflectors. The results also show that the retroreflectors should be placed on an arc from near the runway centerline to the taxiway centerline using a cord spacing of 12.5 feet (4 meters).
DOT/FAA/CT-85/5
Author: Larry W. Hackler