About the Project

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) has a robust pavement management program (PMP), which they have updated on a 3-year cycle since its initial implementation in 1997. For its 2021/2022 PMP update, CRAA selected Applied Pavement Technology, Inc. (APTech) to perform pavement management services at John Glenn Columbus International, Rickenbacker International, and Bolton Field Airports. APTech also led PMP updates for CRAA in 2018/2019, 2009, 2006, 2003, and 2001.

As the prime contractor, APTech was responsible for the overall project. To begin the project, APTech reviewed records for recently completed pavement projects and used the information to update pavement network details on maps and in PAVER. From there, APTech collected pavement condition data for airside and landside pavements at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Rickenbacker International Airport and for the landside pavements at Bolton Field. APTech lead the manual PCI inspections with assistance from a local Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firm, who was mentored throughout the process. APTech inspected the roadway pavements at John Glenn Columbus International Airport using APTech’s Enhanced Data Gathering Equipment (EDGE) vehicle, avoiding the need for traffic control and night work on these busy public-use roads. APTech also incorporated airside Pavement Condition Index (PCI) data for Bolton Field, which was provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation (DOT).

APTech analyzed pavement condition data for all six pavement networks and identified maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) needs. The team also integrated inventory and condition data into CRAA’s existing GIS platform. To close the project, APTech developed a report that presented the results and recommendations both for the system as a whole and by airport and network (presenting airside and landside pavements separately).

APTech worked closely with CRAA to tailor the type of data collected, the method used for collection, the type of results and recommendations assessed, and the way the data was accessed. The most recent project added GIS integration of data into their existing system, allowing CRAA staff access to the results. Results from these projects provide CRAA with current condition information and M&R recommendations to cost-effectively maintain their extensive pavement network.