What do yellow or amber lights indicate in the airport lighting system?

In the airport lighting system, yellow or amber lights play a critical role in ensuring aircraft safety during taxiing and ground operations. These lights are specifically designated to indicate the locations of hold bars.

Hold bars are painted markings or physical barriers positioned at taxiway intersections to instruct pilots on where to stop their aircraft before entering a runway or another operational area. Yellow or amber lighting aids in emphasizing these locations, especially during conditions of low visibility or at night.

This designation is important as it helps in preventing incursions onto runways, thereby enhancing safety for both aircraft and ground operations. The use of yellow or amber lights in this context is standardized to ensure consistency across airports, helping pilots recognize critical stopping points swiftly and safely.