Airport pavement design for the 21st century

In Fiscal Year 2009, we expect U.S. airports to spend several billion dollars on capital improvements, for which FAA will provide more than $2.5 billion in AIP (Airport Improvement Grant) grants. The AIP grants come with some strings: airport operators agree to meet FAA standards for design, engineering, and operations. The Office of the Associate Administrator for Airports within the FAA maintains more than 100 advisory circulars that provide standards and guidance on: airport planning and design, airport equipment and construction, airport lighting and marking, airport pavement design and construction, runway safety, airport fire and rescue, and wildlife hazard mitigation. The R&D programs conducted at the Technical Center provide necessary data for updating advisory circulars and equipment specifications. Today, I will focus my remarks on advances in airport pavement technology.