TAXIWAYS

Types of Taxiways:

Parallel Taxiway: A parallel taxiway is generally constructed 600 ft (180 m) from the runway
(measured centerline to centerline). It is connected by shorter high-speed taxiways to allow
arriving aircraft to leave the runway surface quickly in order to clear another aircraft’s arrival as
quickly as possible. This combination is generally referred to as a runway-taxiway complex.

Ideally, airports can exclusively utilize parallel runway complexes so that incoming and
departing aircraft can also be parallel for safe, simultaneous operations. Under these conditions,
runway thresholds would be slightly staggered to avoid wake turbulence interference between
incoming aircraft. Staggered thresholds might also be used to minimize crossing of active
runways by taxiing aircraft. Each crossing is a potential aircraft delay and a safety hazard.
Exit Taxiway: A decision to provide a right-angled exit taxiway or a standard acute-angled exit
taxiway rests upon an analysis of the existing and contemplated traffic. The purpose of an acute-
angled exit taxiway, commonly referred to as a “high speed exit,” is to enhance airport capacity.
However, when the design peak hour traffic is less than 30 operations (landings and takeoffs), a
properly located right angled exit taxiway will achieve an efficient flow of traffic.
Entrance Taxiway: also serves as the final exit taxiway on a bidirectional runway. It is normally
in the form of an “L” taxiway intersection with a right-angle connection to the runway.
Bypass Taxiway: Air traffic personnel at busy airports encounter occasional bottlenecks when
moving airplanes ready for departure to the desired takeoff runway. Bottlenecks result when a
preceding airplane is not ready for takeoff and blocks the access taxiway. Bypass taxiways
provide flexibility in runway use by permitting ground maneuvering of steady streams of
departing airplanes. An analysis of existing and projected traffic indicates if a bypass taxiway
will enhance traffic flow.

For busy airport to allow aircraft to bypass each other aircraft parked on the parallel or entrance
taxiways in order to reach the runway for takeoff.
The Figure below shows some Bypass Taxiways of San Francisco International Airport.
(Some of the Bypass Taxiways below are Bypass Taxiway E, T and U)
a. Location. Bypass taxiway locations are normally at or near the runway end.
b. Design. Bypass taxiway widths require at least the standard taxiway edge safety margin. The
separation and clearance standards are the same as for parallel taxiways.

Recommendation - The design of a taxiway should be such that, when the cockpit of the
aeroplane for which the taxiway is intended remains over the taxiway centre line markings, the
clearance distance between the outer main wheel of the aeroplane and the edge of the taxiway
should be not less than that given by the following tabulation:

Code letter Clearance

A 1.5 m
B 2.25 m
C 3 m if the taxiway is intended to be used by aeroplanes with a wheel base < 18 m; or
4.5 m if the taxiway is intended to be used by aeroplanes with a wheel base ≥ 18 m.
D 4.5 m
E 4.5 m
Width of taxiways

3.4.1.5 Recommendation - A straight portion of a taxiway should have a width of not less than
that given by the following tabulation:

Code
Taxiway width
letter
A 7.5 m
B 10.5 m
C 15 m if the taxiway is used by aeroplanes with a wheel base <18 m;
18 m if the taxiway is used by aeroplanes with a wheel base ≥ 18 m.
D 18 m if the taxiway is used by aeroplanes with an outer main gear wheel span of < 9 m;
23 m if the taxiway is used by aeroplanes with an outer main gear wheel span ≥ 9 m.
E 23 m

The arriving aircraft is approaching the nearer runway: the centerlines are at least 1,000 feet apart and
the landing thresholds are staggered at least 500 feet for each 100 feet less than 2,500 the centerlines
are separated. (See figure)