When are drivers permitted to drive on the taxiway shoulders?

Driving on the taxiway shoulders is permitted specifically when yielding to taxiing aircraft. This rule is in place to ensure the safety and smooth operation of airfield activities. Taxiing aircraft have the right of way, and the primary function of the shoulder is to provide space for vehicles to move aside, thereby allowing aircraft to pass safely and without delay.

The shoulder area is designed as a safety zone, helping to reduce the potential for collisions between ground vehicles and aircraft. This practice emphasizes a commitment to maintaining a safe airfield environment, where the operational priorities of aircraft take precedence.

Choosing the correct conditions for vehicle operation on the airfield is critical, and understanding the dynamics between ground vehicles and aircraft is essential for navigating these environments safely. Options that suggest weather conditions, crowding on taxiways, or the presence of priority vehicles do not align with the primary directive of yielding to aircraft, which is the fundamental criterion for using the shoulder areas.