VIRGINIA AVIATION PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The use of pavement management systems for individual airports and systems of airports is a relatively recent application compared to roadway pavement management system implementations. Several papers have been published that discuss the initial development and implementation of an airport pavement management system. However, published information evaluating the usefulness and success of in-place airport pavement management systems is scarce. This dearth of documentation has contributed to the slow acceptance of pavement management practices for aviation applications. The Virginia Department of Aviation (VDOA) initiated its pavement management efforts in 1990. VDOA uses its pavement management system to prioritize and schedule pavement maintenance and rehabilitation activities. The use of the system has contributed significantly to the increase in the overall condition of Virginia's paved runways from an area-weighted pavement condition index (PCI) of 76 in 1990 to a PCI of 84 in 1993. Use of the pavement management system permitted VDOA to obtain this increase in condition without having to obtain a substantial increase in funding. In addition, the PMS is expected to fully satisfy the requirements of the 1994 Airport Improvement Program reauthorization legislation pertaining to airport pavement maintenance management. A case study of a state aviation pavement management system is presented. The implementation process and the impact of the system on the selection of pavement maintenance and rehabilitation projects are documented. Further, condition and budget information prior to, and after, full implementation and use of the pavement management system is presented.