A boundary light is a lighting device used to mark the boundaries of an object, terrain, or a waterway or air traffic route . It is often used in aviation, shipping, infrastructure, and industrial environments to make obstacles and routes visible, especially in low-light or poor visibility conditions.
1. Types of boundary lights and their applications
| Type Border Light | Colour | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation border lights | White, red, blue or green | Marking of runways, taxiways and helipads |
| Shipping border lights | White, red or green | Buoys, harbor entrances, and waterway markings |
| Road and infrastructure lights | White, yellow or red | Marking of bridges, tunnels, roadsides and lanes |
| Industrial and construction boundary lights | Red or white | Warning lights for obstacles on terrain or construction sites |
📌 Color use depends on the regulations in the relevant sector .
2. Characteristics of border lights
✅ Increases safety and visibility → Helps vehicles, ships and aircraft navigate.
✅ Weather and shock resistant → Often designed to withstand extreme conditions.
✅ Can be solid or flashing → Depending on the situation and regulations.
✅ LED, halogen or xenon → Modern border lights often use energy-efficient LED technology .
✅ Automatic switch-on → Some boundary lights activate automatically at dusk or in poor visibility.
3. Examples of border lights in different sectors
🛫 Aviation (runways)
📍 White boundary lights → Along the edges of the runway.
📍 Green lights → Beginning of the runway.
📍 Red lights → End of runway.
🚢 Shipping (waterway markings)
📍 Green and red buoys → Indicate the port and starboard sides of a waterway.
📍 Port boundary lights → Mark safe passages and hazards.
🚗 Roads and tunnels
📍 Yellow or white boundary lights → Edges of lanes or tunnels.
📍 Red lights → Indicates prohibited driving directions or dangerous zones.
🏗 Industry and construction sites
📍 Red flashing lights → Mark high cranes and other obstacles.
📍 White LED strips → Mark walkways and access zones on large industrial estates.
4. Difference between boundary lights and other signal lights
| Light type | Goal | Colour | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Border light | Marks the edge of a zone or object | White, red, green, blue | Runway lights, buoys, tunnel markings |
| Warning light | Warns of dangers or obstacles | Usually red or yellow | Obstacle lighting, turn signals |
| Navigation light | Indicates the position and direction of a vehicle | Red, green, white | Ship, aircraft and vehicle lighting |
| Signal light | Indicates a status or warning | Red, yellow, green | Traffic lights, indicator lights |
📌 Boundary lights mark the edge of an area, while hazard lights and navigation lights specifically warn of danger or indicate the direction of movement.
💡 In short:
A boundary light is a marker light used to highlight the edges of runways, waterways, roads, and industrial areas . It aids safe navigation and accident prevention , especially in poor visibility or at night .