About the Project

To protect the valuable infrastructure of the Commonwealth’s airports, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Aeronautics Division selected APTech to implement an airport pavement management system (APMS) for thirty-three airports in 2012. Based on their satisfaction with our work, APTech was selected to perform the 2016 and 2020 to 2023 updates.

During the latest update, APTech compiled work history information and used that to update network definition maps. To obtain current condition information, APTech performed Pavement Condition Index (PCI) inspections according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and ASTM procedures. This work then led to the update of the PAVER database.

With information in hand, APTech was then able to develop a multi-year maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) plan for MassDOT and generate individual reports, a statewide report, and an executive summary. APTech also used the findings of the study to update MassDOT’s web-based, pavement data visualization tool, IDEA. This tool enables users to easily view and retrieve project information and results.

As part of the project, APTech also provided MassDOT staff with training on the PCI procedure and how to use PAVER. During previous work on the APMS, APTech calculated Pavement Classification Numbers (PCNs) for selected pavements as well as conducted training on the PCI procedure to airport and MassDOT staff.

APTech’s update of the APMS enables MassDOT to continue to preserve its valuable airport pavement infrastructure in an efficient and effective manner. It is also able to continue its outreach program to communicate the importance of pavement preservation to the airport sponsors and consultants. The IDEA provides an effective tool to further this communication and provides easy access to the findings and recommendations developed during the APMS project, without requiring the use of pavement management software.