How is a taxiway crossing lit?
Where two taxiways cut straight across each other, the pavement outline is still marked by blue edge lights and each straight-through route keeps its own green centreline — the two paths meet at one crossing point, with yellow holding-position lights added wherever ATC needs one flow to wait for the other.
A taxiway crossing has four legs and no lighting of its own — it is the patch of pavement where the lighting of two taxiways overlaps. Taxiway edge lights mark the outline of the paved surface, so they run along each leg and sweep around the four corner curves. None are placed inside the crossing area, because the pavement there is continuous and has no edge to mark.
Taxiway centreline lights carry on straight across for each route, so the two centrelines meet at a single crossing point. Any turn from one taxiway onto the other follows its own curved centreline that leaves the straight route tangentially, with the lights set closer together on the curve: ICAO Annex 14 gives up to 30 m on straight sections, stepping down through a curve to 15 m and then to as little as 7.5 m (see Entry 15 · Curve lighting arrangement). Where route guidance is provided, centreline lights can be wired in switchable sections so that only the cleared route is lit. At a busy crossing, ATC may also need one aircraft to stop short while another passes; intermediate holding-position lights, together with a broken-line marking on the pavement, show exactly where to stop. They mark a place — they don't replace the edge or centreline lighting already guiding the aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1How is a taxiway crossing lit?
Edge, centreline and holding-position lighting layer on top of one another. Blue edge lights follow the pavement outline, green centreline lights run straight through in both directions and meet at one crossing point, and yellow holding-position lights are added where ATC needs one flow to wait for the other.
Q2Are there taxiway edge lights inside a taxiway crossing?
No. Edge lights mark the outline of the paved surface, and the crossing area is continuous pavement. They run along each of the four legs and sweep around the four corner curves, but none are placed inside the crossing itself.
Q3What happens to centreline lights where two taxiways cross?
Each straight-through route keeps its own centreline lights across the crossing, so the two lines meet at a single crossing point. A turn between the taxiways follows its own curved centreline with closer spacing: up to 30 m on straight sections, stepping down to 15 m and then 7.5 m on the curve per ICAO Annex 14.
Q4When are holding-position lights added at a taxiway crossing?
Where ATC needs traffic to hold short so the crossing flow can pass. Yellow intermediate holding-position lights, with a broken-line marking on the pavement, mark the place to stop; they sit on top of the centreline and edge lighting rather than replacing it.
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