An important change is coming for airports throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Aviation authorities will require all airports to have a new Pavement Classification Rating (PCR) to replace the old PCN (Pavement Classification Number) by November 2024.
The National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) can help airport operators of all sizes with this important change. We have the technical experts and measurement vehicles ready to assist – cost-effective and efficient provision of the answers your airport needs.
NTRO is actively participating in a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Working Group established to help bring about this airport classification change within Australia.
“There is not just a mathematical method to convert PCR from PCN and new pavement calculations may have to be done to determine PCR values for existing infrastructure,” NTRO’s National Asset Performance Business Group Leader Nathan Wallace said.
“To assist this change and if required, we have extensive experience in Heavy Falling Weight Deflectometer (HWD) and Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD) testing of road and airport infrastructure.
“This type of testing can assist with the determination of existing subgrade strength, and the calculation of airport runway PCN and PCR values.
“And the combination of data sets can assist airport owners not only in their Aircraft Classification Rating – Pavement Classification Rating (ACR-PCR) system publication, but also drive maintenance planning and condition monitoring of all airport assets.”
Formerly the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), NTRO has done this type of pavement assessment work for more than 60 years – with a long list of experience in the airport sector.
NTRO has undertaken airport related testing, analysis and reporting on many airports throughout Australia with both its Heavy Falling Weight Deflectometer technology, and its flagship infrastructure measurement vehicle, the iPAVE which incorporates TSD technology. The iPAVE (Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicle) allows for collection of a full data set, inclusive of deflection and condition data, in just 30 minutes.
Melbourne and Essendon airports in Victoria, Hamilton Island and Archerfield airports in Queensland, and 16 small to medium airports in Western Australia are among those that have undergone HWD and/or iPAVE testing by NTRO over the past three years.
NTRO prides itself on being innovation driven, with new ideas and concepts to ensure your airport gets maximum pavement measurement information accurately, with minimum possible downtime.
“Airports connect our communities – and our world – and our team at the NTRO is looking forward to helping the aviation sector efficiently manage this change in pavement rating,” said Jason Sprott, NTRO Executive Director (Ports & Airports).
NTRO encourages airports to discuss the status of their airport pavements and recognises that undertaking thorough strength measurements and assessments is not always required as part of any new PCR assessment. However, NTRO can provide this additional service, if and as required.
To find out more about how NTRO can assist airport managers with PCR requirements, visit https://www.ntro.org.au/airports