What does a sign next to the runway with a black background and a white numeral indicate?

A sign next to the runway that features a black background with white numerals indicates the runway distance remaining in thousands of feet. This type of signage is crucial for pilots as it provides important information about how much distance is left before they reach the runway threshold. Knowing the remaining distance helps pilots make informed decisions about landing, particularly in terms of speed and approach.

Other options, such as runway closure or landing zone shifts, are indicated by different signs or signals, which may include a different color scheme or additional symbols. Altitude requirements for approach are typically communicated through navigation charts and not via runway signs. Thus, the specific characteristics of the black background with white numerals distinctly point to the information about runway distance.