2DRAFT AC 150/5340-1H
U.S. Departmentof Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration / Advisory
Circular
Subject: STANDARDS FOR AIRPORT MARKINGS / Date: 4/29/05
Initiated by: AAS-300 / AC No: 150/5340-1J
Change:
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8/31/99 AC 150/5340-1H
1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular (AC) contains the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for markings used on airport runways, taxiways, and aprons.
2. CANCELLATION. AC 150/5340-1H, Standards for Airport Markings, dated August 31, 1999, is canceled. This AC also cancels AC 150/5340-1I, although it is substantially the same document and only changes the AC version letter from I to J.
3. EXPLANATION OF CHANGES. This AC incorporates guidance on use of the enhanced taxiway centerline markings and the surface holding position signs. These enhancements were designed by the Federal Aviation Administration and MITRE CAASD to better define the location of holding position markings for air crews. These markings were tested at Theodore Francis Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island. The markings tested included the enhanced taxiway centerline, the extension of existing holding position markings onto taxiway shoulders, the changing of the color of the dashed lines from yellow to white on the holding position markings (which is not adopted at this time) and the enhanced use of the surface painted holding position signs.
The enhanced taxiway centerline is being adopted as the standard for commercial service airports that have 1.5 million or more passenger enplanements in a calendar year. The enhanced taxiway centerline will be the only acceptable means of complying with 14 CFR Part 139 for these airports effective June 30, 2008. Similarly, the extension of the runway holding position markings onto the paved shoulder is being adopted as the only acceptable means of compliance with Part 139 for airports regularly served by aircraft in Aircraft Design Groups 5 and 6, also effective June 30, 2008. The standards for enhanced taxiway centerline and extension of the runway holding position markings are optional for all other airports.
4. METRIC UNITS. To promote an orderly transition to metric units, the text and figures include both English and metric dimensions. The metric conversions are based on operational significance and may not be exact equivalents. The conversion procedure used throughout the AC applies the relationship of 1 foot equals 0.3 meter, except for a few instances where rounding was used in order for linear dimensions to sum correctly. Until there is an official changeover to the metric system, the English dimensions should be used.
5. APPLICATION. The FAA recommends the guidelines and standards contained herein for the marking of airport runways, taxiways, and aprons. These standards are the only method of complying with the marking of runways and taxiways at airports certificated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter I – FAA, DOT, Part 139, Certification and Operations: Land Airports Serving Certain Air Carriers (14 CFR Part 139). These standards are also mandatory for airport projects receiving Federal funds under the Airport Grant Assistance program or funds received from the Passenger Facility Charge program. These standards are to be used on all new projects that are under development and are to be implemented at all Part 139 certificated airports no later than one year from the date of this AC.
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8/31/99 AC 150/5340-1H
DAVID L. BENNETT
Director, Office of Airport Safety and Standards
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4/29/2005 AC 150/5340-1J
CONTENTS
MARKINGS FOR PAVED RUNWAYS AND TAXIWAYS. 1
SECTION 1. GENERAL. 1
1. Purpose 1
2. Definitions 1
3. Marking Practices 1
4. Visibility of Markings. 1
SECTION 2. RUNWAY MARKINGS 2
5. Application. 2
6. Runway Marking Precedence 3
7. Runway Designation Marking. 3
8. Runway Centerline Marking 4
9. Runway Threshold Marking 4
10. Runway Aiming Point Marking. 5
11. Runway Touchdown Zone Marking 5
12. Runway Side Stripe Marking 6
13. Runway Threshold Bar 6
14. Demarcation Bar 6
15. Arrows and Arrowheads 7
16. Chevrons 7
17. Holding Position Markings on Runways. 7
18. Runway Shoulder Markings 8
19. Reserved 8
SECTION 3. TAXIWAY MARKINGS 8
20. Application 8
21. Taxiway Centerline Markings 8
22. Taxiway Edge Marking 10
23. Runway Holding Position Markings on Taxiways 10
24. Holding Position Markings for Instrument Landing System (ILS)/
Precision Obstacle Free Zone (POFZ) 11
25. Intermediate Holding Position Markings for Taxiway/Taxiway Intersections 12
26. Surface Painted Holding Position Signs 13
27. Surface Painted Taxiway Direction Signs 14
28. Surface Painted Taxiway Location Signs 14
29. Surface Painted Gate Identification Signs 15
30. Surface Painted Apron Entrance Point Signs 15
31. Taxiway Shoulder Markings 16
32. Geographic Position Markings 16
33. Reserved 16
34. Reserved 16
SECTION 4. OTHER MARKINGS 17
35. Application 17
36. Vehicle Roadway Markings 17
37. VOR Receiver Checkpoint Markings 17
38. Non-Movement Area Boundary Marking 18
39. Marking of Temporarily Relocated Thresholds 18
40. Marking and Lighting of Permanently Closed Runways and Taxiways 18
41. Temporarily Closed Runways and Taxiways 18
42. Converting a Runway to a Taxiway 19
43. Intermittent Use of a Taxiway as a Runway 19
44. Closed/Abandoned Airports 19
45. Heliport Marking 19
46. Vertiport Marking 19
47. Marking for Arresting Gear 19
48. Hazardous Areas 19
FIGURES
Figure 1. Precision Runway Markings 20
Figure 2. Nonprecision Runway and Visual Runway Markings 21
Figure 3. Example of Conflicting Markings on Crossing Runways 22
Figure 4. Runway Designation Numerals and Letters 23
Figure 5. Displaced Threshold Markings 24
Figure 6. Markings for Taxiway Aligned With Runway 25
Figure 7. Markings for Blast Pads and Stopways 26
Figure 8. Marking for Blast Pad or Taxiway Preceding a Displaced Threshold 27
Figure 9. Runway Shoulder Markings 28
Figure 10. Marking Details 29
Figure 11. Taxiway Markings 30
Figure 12. Taxiway Centerline Marking Methods 31
Figure 13. Surface Painted Signs 32
Figure 14. Surface Painted Gate Identification Signs 33
Figure 15. Surface Painted Apron Entrance Point Signs 34
Figure 16. Taxiway Shoulder Markings 35
Figure 17. Geographic Position Markings 36
Figure 18. Vehicle Roadway Markings 37
Figure 19. VOR Receiver Checkpoint Markings 38
Figure 20. Closed Runway and Taxiway Markings 39
APPENDIX 1. Inscriptions for Signs and Geographic Position Markings (5 Pages)
Figure A-1. Pavement Markings ABCDEFGH 40
Figure A-2. Pavement Markings IJKLMNOP 41
Figure A-3. Pavement Markings QRSTUVWX 42
Figure A-4. Pavement Markings YZ123456 43
Figure A-5. Pavement Markings 7890-,↑ 44
APPENDIX 2. EXAMPLES OF MARKINGS OUTLINED IN BLACK (2 pages)
Figure B-1. Runway Holding Position Marking 45
Figure B-2. ILS/MLS Holding Position Marking 45
Figure B-3. Continuous Taxiway Edge Line Marking 46
Figure B-4. Dashed Taxiway Edge Line Marking 46
Figure B-5. Alternate Outlining Method for Dashed Taxiway Edge Line Marking 46
Figure B-6. Taxiway Centerline Marking 46
Figure B-7. Intermediate Holding Position Markings 46
Figure B-8. Non-Movement Area Boundary Area Marking 46
APPENDIX 3. ENHANCED MARKINGS FOR RUNWAY HOLDING POSITION (12 pages)
Figure C-1. Enhanced Taxiway Centerline Markings 47
Figure C-2. Dashed Lines at Converging Taxiway Centerlines 48
Figure C-3. Enhanced Runway Holding Position Markings on Taxiways 49
Figure C-4. Surface Painted Holding Position Signs 50
Figure C-5. Surface Painted Holding Position Signs when Taxiway Centerline is not Perpendicular to Runway Holding Position Marking 51
Figure C-6. Surface Painted Holding Position Signs Co-Located with a Geographic Position Marking 52
Figure C-7. Two Taxiway Centerlines Converging at a Runway Holding Position Marking 53
Figure C-8. Intersection of Two Taxiways at Runway End 54
Figure C-9. Intersection of Three Converging Taxiway Centerlines 55
Figure C-10. Intersection of Multi-Taxiway Centerlines with Less than 150 Feet (45.7 m) Between Taxiways 56
Figure C-11. Two Taxiway Centerlines Intersecting a Runway Holding Position Marking 57
Figure C-12. Intersection of Stub Taxiway and Runway 58
TABLES
Table 1. Runway Marking Elements 3
Table 2. Threshold Stripes Required for Configuration B 5
Table 3. Pairs of Touchdown Zone Markings Required when Installed on Both Runway Ends 6
Table 4. Location of Holding Position Markings for Runway/Runway and Runway/Taxiway Intersections 8
Table 5. Perpendicular Distances for Taxiway Intersection Markings from Centerline of Crossing Taxiway 13
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4/29/2005 AC 150/5340-1J
MARKINGS FOR PAVED RUNWAYS AND TAXIWAYS.
Section 1. General.
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4/29/2005 AC 150/5340-1J
1. PURPOSE. This chapter provides the standards for markings used on paved areas (runways, taxiways, aprons, and roadways) on airports. Markings for large aircraft parking positions and markings for unpaved runways will be addressed at a future date in Chapters 2 and 3 respectively.
2. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions apply to terms used in this AC:
a. Displaced Threshold. A threshold that is located at a point on the runway other than the designated beginning of the runway.
b. GPS Runway. A runway having a precision or nonprecision approach procedure using GPS navigational guidance with or without vertical guidance.
c. Nonprecision Runway. A runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing air navigation facilities with only horizontal guidance for which a straight-in or side-step nonprecision approach procedure has been approved.
d. Precision Runway. A runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing air navigation facilities with both horizontal and vertical guidance for which a precision approach procedure has been approved.
e. Runway Threshold. The beginning of the runway that is available for landing.
f. Visual Runway. A runway having no straight-in instrument approach procedure.
3. MARKING PRACTICES. The following addresses some common practices used in airport marking.
a. Increasing the Friction Coefficient. The friction coefficient of the marking surface can be increased by spreading silica sand on the marked surface immediately after painting. Use of glass beads in the marking materials also has the side benefit of increasing the friction coefficient of the marking surface. Glass beads or silica sand are required when durable markings (epoxy based and methylacrylate based paints) are used. These paints are usually applied at 1830mils in dry thickness.
b. Striated Markings. Striated markings, which may be used in areas subject to frost heave, consist of painted stripes 4 inches (10 cm) to 8 inches (20 cm) in width separated by unpainted stripes. The width of the unpainted stripe may not exceed the width of the painted stripe. The predetermined width of the painted and unpainted stripes must be the same throughout the specific marking. A painted stripe is to begin and end the width of the markings. Since striated markings have a reduced visibility, more frequent maintenance is required to provide an acceptable marking system. Striated markings are not used on Category II and Category III precision runways.
c. Temporary Markings. In selecting a material for temporary markings, consider the difficulty of removing the marking when it is no longer needed. In this regard, some success has been realized by using water-based paint. Striated markings may also be used for temporary markings except for those used to denote a closed pavement or Category II and Category III runways.
d. Removal of Markings. Physically remove pavement markings that are no longer needed by sand blasting, chemical removal or other means, not painting over them. Painting over the old markings merely preserves the old marking, will require additional maintenance, and in certain conditions, can be misleading to pilots.
4. VISIBILITY OF MARKINGS. Markings that cannot be seen by pilots and others operating on marked surfaces are useless. The following actions are intended to increase the visibility of markings at airports. The following two techniques have been successfully used to enhance markings. Use these two techniques in conjunction with each other, unless otherwise specified in this chapter.
a. Outlining in Black.
(1) The contrast of a marking on concrete pavement surfaces and light colored pavements can be increased by outlining all edges of the marking with a black border that is 6 inches (15cm) or greater in width.
(2) Markings Requiring Black Outlining.
(i) All holding position markings (as specified in Paragraphs 17, 23, 24, and 25) and non-movement area boundary markings (as specified in Paragraph 38).
(ii) All SMGCS taxiway centerlines (as specified in Paragraph 21 d).
(iii) Enhanced taxiway centerline (as specified in Paragraph 21e(2)).
(iv) Intermediate holding position markings (as specified in Paragraph 25 c).
(v) Surface painted holding position signs (as specified in Paragraph 26 c).
(vi) Geographic position markings (as specified in Paragraph 32 c).
(3) Markings Recommended for Black Outlining. Outlining all other markings on such surfaces is strongly recommended, particularly for taxiway centerlines. Appendix 2 contains illustrations of the acceptable layout for various markings outlined in black.
b. Glass Beads. Glass beads are an effective means of highlighting pavement markings for operations occurring at night, during low visibility conditions, or during periods when the pavement surface may be wet. Glass beads should not be used in black paint. Due to the increase in marking conspicuity, FAA recommends that type 3 or type 4 glass beads be used on runway holding position markings.
(1) Markings Requiring Glass Beads. Glass beads are required for the following permanent pavement markings:
(i) All runway and taxiway holding position markings.
(ii) Runway threshold marking.
(iii) Runway threshold bar.
(iv) Runway aiming point marking.
(v) Runway designation marking.
(vi) Runway touchdown zone markings.
(vii) Runway centerline marking.
(viii) Taxiway centerline marking.
(viiii) Geographical position marking.
(x) Surface painted signs.
(xi) Non-movement area boundary markings.
(2) Markings Recommended for Glass Beads. Glass beads are recommended for the following permanent pavement markings:
(i) Runway side stripes,
(ii) Taxiway edge markings,
(iii) Displaced threshold markings, and
(iv) Demarcation bar.
(3) Glass Beads Specifications. The glass beads used for the above applications should meet the specifications found in AC 150/5370-10A.
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Section 2. Runway Markings.
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4/29/2005 AC 150/5340-1J
5. APPLICATION. Table 1 identifies the marking elements for each type of runway as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The two ends of a runway having different approach categories, i.e., visual vs. nonprecision, may have different markings. The markings on a runway may be upgraded to include elements that are not required. For example, side stripes, touchdown zone markings, etc., could be installed on a visual runway. If a runway has a displaced threshold, blast pad, stopway, or wide shoulders, additional marking elements may be necessary. All elements should be of a corresponding size. For example, a 75-foot wide runway requires runway threshold markings (in configuration A) and aiming point markings that are proportional to the runway width; however, the runway centerline width should remain at the minimum width for runway category. E.g., Visual runway – 12 inches.