What is the purpose of the runway/runway hold position sign?

• A. Denotes intersecting runways
• B. Denotes a hold position for runway crossing
• C. Denotes taxiway exit
• D. Denotes distance to runway

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing where you must stop to protect runway operations. The runway hold position sign tells you the boundary where you must hold short of a runway when taxiing. It works with the pavement holding markings (solid and dashed lines) to show you exactly where you cannot cross until you have explicit clearance from ATC. This helps prevent a vehicle or aircraft from entering a runway unintentionally.

So, the sign’s purpose is to indicate a hold short point for crossing or entering a runway, not to mark intersecting runways, a taxiway exit, or distance to the runway. You cross only after ATC clearance.