Definition
A taxiway that joins a runway at an acute angle (typically about 30 degrees) so that a landing aircraft can turn off the runway at a higher speed than is possible at a standard 90-degree taxiway exit. Known internationally by the ICAO term Rapid Exit Taxiway.
Plain English
A taxiway built at a shallow angle to the runway so aircraft can exit faster after landing, clearing the runway sooner for the next arrival or departure.
Context Anchor
Seen on airport diagrams, runway layout descriptions, and after-landing taxi instructions at busier airports.
Derivation
Called 'high-speed' because the shallow angle lets the aircraft turn off without slowing to near-walking pace. ICAO uses 'rapid exit' to emphasise the same idea — the purpose is to vacate the runway quickly.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces runway occupancy time, increases airport capacity, and lowers the chance of go-arounds caused by slow exits.
Analogy
It is like a highway off-ramp with a gentle curve instead of a sharp corner. You still slow down, but you do not have to slow as much before leaving the main road.
Intuition Check
High-speed does not mean the aircraft taxis fast around the airport. Here it means the runway exit is designed so the aircraft can leave the runway at a higher rollout speed than on a sharp turnoff.
Example Sentence 1
Tower asked us to take the high-speed taxiway at Bravo to expedite our exit from the runway.
Example Sentence 2
The new rapid exit taxiway allowed the arriving jet to vacate at 45 knots instead of taxiing the full length at slow speed.