Aviation Glossary - Runway Edge Lights

Runway Edge Lights

Runway edge lights are used to outline the edges of runways during periods of darkness or restricted visibility conditions. These light systems are classified according to the intensity or brightness they are capable of producing: they are the High Intensity Runway Lights (HIRL), Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL), and the Low Intensity Runway Lights (LIRL). The HIRL and MIRL systems have variable intensity controls, whereas the LIRLs normally have one intensity setting.

source: FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A)

RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS:

ICAO: Are provided for a runway intended for use at night or for a precision approach runway intended for use by day or night. Runway edge lights shall be fixed lights showing variable white, except that:
1. in the case of a displaced threshold, the lights between the beginning of the runway and the displaced threshold shall show red in the approach direction; and
2. a section of the lights 600m or one-third of the runway length, whichever is the less, at the remote end of the runway from the end at which the takeoff run is started, may show yellow.
USA: Lights used to outline the edges of runways during periods of darkness or restricted visibility conditions. The light systems are classified according to the intensity or brightness they are capable of producing: they are the High Intensity Runway Lights (HIRL), Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL), and the Low Intensity Runway Lights (RL). The HIRL and MIRL systems have variable intensity controls, where the RLs normally have one intensity setting.
1. The runway edge lights are white, except on instrument runways amber replaces white on the last 2000 feet or half of the runway length, whichever is less, to form a caution zone for landings.
2. The lights marking the ends of the runway emit red light toward the runway to indicate the end of runway to a departing aircraft and emit green outward from the runway end to indicate the threshold to landing aircraft.

source: ICAO Aviation Chart Glossary

Runway edge lights – white elevated lights that run the length of the runway on either side. On precision instrument runways, the edge-lighting becomes yellow in the last 2,000 ft (610 m) of the runway, or last third of the runway, whichever is less. Taxiways are differentiated by being bordered by blue lights, or by having green centre lights, depending on the width of the taxiway, and the complexity of the taxi pattern.

source: Wikitionary / Wikipedia and Related Sources (Edited)