What is taxiway working?
Working on a taxiway section while aircraft move nearby: what is closed, how people stay clear and what must happen before it reopens.
Taxiway working is done in a section that has been closed, or under arrangements agreed with ATC and airport operations. The airport and ATC decide and notify the closure, and the section is shown by barriers, closed markings and unserviceability markers, with red fixed unserviceability lights at night as the procedure requires. Because aircraft keep moving on the taxiways and aprons next to the site, the work stays inside the marked work area, clear of wingtips and jet blast, and aircraft always have priority.
Taxiway centreline, edge and stop bar circuits to be isolated are agreed with ATC first, because switching them off changes the guidance pilots have, especially in low visibility, and are then isolated and proved dead by the electrical procedure. Contact is kept as the permit requires, and any crossing of a runway or taxiway needs clearance. Before reopening, everything is removed, the surface is inspected, the lighting is restored and checked, and ATC is told. The barriers come away only on their instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1Does a taxiway have to be closed for AGL work?
Work on the taxiway surface is done in a section that has been closed, or under arrangements specifically agreed with air traffic control and airport operations. The airport and ATC decide and notify the closure. AGL staff never decide a taxiway section is closed on their own.
Q2Why is working beside an active taxiway risky even when the section is closed?
Aircraft taxi past with their wingtips beyond the pavement edge and their engines produce blast. Barriers, a marked work area and a safe separation keep people and equipment out of that space, and aircraft always have priority.
Q3How is a closed taxiway section shown?
By barriers, closed markings and unserviceability markers, with red fixed unserviceability lights at night as the airport procedure requires, and by ATC notifying the pilots. ICAO Annex 14 describes the markers as conspicuous upstanding devices such as flags, cones or marker boards. The barriers are set by the airport procedure, not by the working party.
Q4How are taxiway lighting circuits handled?
The centreline, edge and stop bar circuits to be isolated are agreed with ATC and airport operations first, because switching them off changes the guidance available to pilots, especially in low visibility. Lights on the closed section itself are not normally left lit except as the work requires, but where a circuit also serves open taxiways, switching it off must be agreed first. The electrical isolation, lock-out, proving dead and earthing steps then follow the airport procedure.
Q5What about crossing a runway or another taxiway on the way to the site?
Only at approved points and with clearance. Vehicles stop at holding positions and stop lines until cleared, and follow the airport airside driving rules and the route agreed in the permit.
Q6What must be checked before a taxiway section reopens?
All people, vehicles, tools and materials are removed, the surface is inspected for debris, the lighting is restored and checked, and ATC or airport operations are told the area is clear. The barriers come away only when they say so, and the taxiway reopens on their decision.
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