5.2 Pavement Maintenance

Maintaining pavements not only extends their life but reduces the cost over the life of the pavement due to the slower degradation of the asset. A pavement management program is a requirement for federally obligated airports.

ACRP Report 159: Pavement Maintenance Guidelines for General Aviation Airport Management
Provides guidance to general aviation airport managers in determining the most cost-efficient and appropriate preventative maintenance solution to common pavement issues. In addition to the guidebook, two additional products were developed:

Airport Pavement Maintenance Recommendation Tool
A tool to help evaluate potential treatments for airport pavement distresses.

Pavement Maintenance Field Guide
A field guide to assist airports in identifying pavement distresses. Contains photos of the various types of distresses.

ACRP Synthesis 22: Common Airport Pavement Maintenance Practices
Explores how airports implement a pavement maintenance management program, including inspecting and tracking pavement condition, scheduling maintenance, identifying necessary funds, and treating distresses in asphalt and concrete pavements.

FAA Advisory Circular 150/5335-5: Standardized Method of Reporting Airport Pavement Strength—PCN
Provides guidance for using the standardized International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) method, called the Aircraft Classification Number—Pavement Classification Number (ACN-PCN) method, to report airport runway, taxiway, and apron pavement strength.

FAA Advisory Circular 150/5380-7: Airport Pavement Management Program (PMP)
Discusses the Airport Pavement Management Program concept, its essential components, and how it is used to make cost-effective decisions about pavement maintenance and rehabilitation.

FAA Airports Central Region Pavement Maintenance
Resources to assist airport sponsor in developing a pavement maintenance program.

FAA Order 5100.38: Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Handbook
Referred to as the AIP Handbook. Provides the policies and procedures on the implementation of the AIP based on the enabling legislation. It covers who is eligible for an AIP grant; what projects can be funded and the required project justification; project procurement requirements; allowable costs; the grant process, oversight and payments; letters of intent; State Block Grant Program; Military Airport Program; Innovative Finance Demonstration Program; Voluntary Airport Low Emissions Program (VALE), and other programs. The appendices of this document detail the requirements for specific types of projects.