Airport Pavement Management Program (PMP) and Airport Signage and Marking Program
Goals:
Ensure provision of smooth surfaces with excellent skid resistance devoid of alligator cracks, frost heaving, pumps, ravels, pot holes and wheel rutting which may hinder effectual motion in the airport.
Ensure effectual repair and maintenance of Airport pavements
Ensure proper and clear signage and markings in airports
Assumptions and other considerations:
It is advisable to submit written suggestions of Airport pavement repairs to the regional Maintenance Engineer who then shares with the Airport Pavement Management Program coordinator in order to ensure good coordination between maintenance and construction initiatives at the airports.
Detecting, recognizing and clearly marking runway holding positions and signs in an airport is effectual in averting risks and is effectual in ensuring safety.
Maintaining Airport pavements & proper markings and signage:
Flexible airport pavements include asphaltic concrete pavement (ACP) and BST (bituminous surface treatment) which get their strength from the compact interlocking of rumpled rocks together with asphaltic material which holds them together. This mixture refracts when burdened with traffic and applies pressure on the subgrade. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that both the subgrade and the pavement are in sublime conditions so at to avert regular repairs.
Clearly labelled signs are effectual in preventing runway incursions. The coordinator of the Airport Signage and Marking Program is responsible for ensuring labels and signage are maintained and replaced accordingly.
Problems: Pavement, and signage
Problems such as poor subgrade drainage, overlaying pavements with substandard asphalt (resulting in poor particle interlocking), may result in
Ruttling- Surface depression occurring on the wheel path due to permanent deformation of the pavement
Alligator cracking
Longitudinal cracking
Transverse cracking
Potholes
Pitting and Raveling
Flushing
Sags and Humps
Edge Raveling
Airport pavement maintenance techniques:
Patching is effectual in maintaining pavements whereby defective pavements are removed altogether or defective areas are covered.
Pouring or sealing cracks
Maintaining rigid pavements such as Portland cement concrete pavements (PCC)
Airfield rubber removal:
Removing runway rubber is achievable using chemicals, abrasives and high pressure water. The use of these techniques is done when recommended frictions levels by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been surpassed.
Pictorial illustrations
Figure 1: Airfield rubber removal
Figure 2: Pavement Alligator cracking
Figure 3: Airport Signage and Marking
