Comparative Analysis of Pavement Classification Systems: Study Cases of Taiwan Airport

Abstract: The aircraft classification rating/pavement classification rating (ACR/PCR) was developed in 2020 to replace the old aircraft classification number/pavement classification number (ACN/PCN) system. While these 2 systems represent similar pavement structural ratings, the key mechanisms were based on different calculation methods, which yielded different interpretations between these 2 methods. In order to calculate the technical evaluation of PCN/PCR, several inputs (layer thickness, layer modulus, material type, and aircraft traffic) are necessary. However, due to time constraints, collecting the required input in such a busy infrastructure is considered challenging. In addition, without a mature pavement management system, finding historical structural and traffic data was nearly impossible since airport pavements were built using a considerably longer design life (i.e., 20-25 years) compared to highway pavement. This research re-analyzes PCN calculation from 140 different inventories (runway, taxiway, and apron) in 16 Taiwan airports. The PCR of the various inventories is analyzed based on the available input. A correlation model was developed between the PCN and PCR from the different inventories. The calculated PCR fell 10 to 13 times the PCN, with an average of 11.3 and R2 of 0.84. This resulting model can predict the PCR of existing inventories where input data are minimal or unavailable.