About the Project

With seventeen passenger airlines serving over 36 million passengers a year, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is the seventeenth busiest airport in the United States. As such, the preservation of the pavement infrastructure at Detroit Metro Airport is of critical importance for the safety of aircraft and the efficient movement of air traffic throughout the region and the country. In 2008, 2010, and 2013 we served as the prime consultant to update the APMS, which allows the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) to proactively manage their pavement assets. This work built on a 2004 project where we led the inspections as a subconsultant.

The 2008 project included performing PCI surveys on the new Runway 4L-22R complex, the McNamara Terminal Apron, the L.C. Smith Terminal Apron, and several de-icing pads. Runway 3R-21L and portions of the adjacent connecting taxiways were reconstructed in 2006 and 2007 and were also updated in the database. As a result of this effort, WCAA had a complete database incorporating all airfield pavement sections. In addition to conducting pavement inspections and determining the PCI of the pavements, we developed pavement performance prediction models to predict the condition of the pavements through 2013. The all-encompassing APMS was used to cost-effectively plan future M&R needs at the Airport.

In early 2009, WCAA had an urgent need to assess the condition of Runways 4R-22L and 3L-21R to evaluate the immediate need for major rehabilitation. We inspected these pavements in March 2009 and incorporated the results in the PAVER pavement management database and report.

Due to WCAA’s satisfaction, we were again selected in 2010 to update the APMS. This project included conducting PCI inspections on Runway 9R-27L and the majority of the taxiway system at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Recent and ongoing construction projects on Runways 9L-27R, Runway 3L-21R, and Taxiway Z were also incorporated into the database. In addition, the entire airfield pavement at Willow Run Airport was inspected and incorporated into a separate PAVER database. For both airports, we determined PCIs for each pavement section and developed performance models to predict the pavement condition over the next 5-years. We also provided training on the use of PAVER to WCAA staff.

In 2013, we were again selected to update the APMS at both Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport. In addition to the services performed as part of previous updates, we will also be performing FWD testing, overseeing a geotechnical investigation, and calculating PCNs for both airports.