Taxiway - Definition and Overview

A taxiway is a strip of land on a (usually larger) airport, on which aircraft can roll (taxi) to or from a hangar, terminal, runway or other facilities. Taxiways may be hard, (often asphalt or concrete) or grass.

Taxiways are framed with blue lights, as opposed to the white lights of a runway. Alternately, taxiway centrelines may be indicated by green lights.

Busy airports sometimes construct rapid-exit taxiways in order to allow aircraft to leave the runway at higher speeds. This allows an aircraft to vacate the runway quicker, enabling another to land in a shorter space of time.

See also: Aviation