About the Project

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) airport pavement management system (APMS) plays an integral role in maintaining the state’s pavement infrastructure at its 70 airports. As such, in 2018, TDOT selected APTech to update its APMS. This successful update led to TDOT partnering with APTech for a second time in 2022.

Throughout this project, APTech reviewed pavement related work information and used this data to update the PAVER database and network definition maps. APTech then conducted Pavement Condition Index (PCI) inspections in accordance with ASTM D5340 and incorporated the collected data into the PAVER database. APTech also analyzed distress data, performed a statewide condition analysis, developed pavement performance forecast models, and prepared a 5-year maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) plan for each airport.

Additionally, APTech updated the web-based, interactive pavement management data visualization tool, IDEA, which enables users to easily view and retrieve project information and results. APTech delivered a 1-day training course to TDOT Aeronautics Division staff, which included an overview of the APMS and the use of PAVER software. During the previous project, APTech performed structural testing using our falling weight deflectometer (FWD) and calculated Pavement Classification Numbers (PCNs) for runway pavements at 32 airports.

During the previous and most recent update, the Aeronautics Division retained APTech to complete additional work orders as part of this project. This work included updating the APMS to modify included pavement areas, comparing state material specifications with those of the FAA, and developing a pavement life-cycle cost analysis tool. APTech also assisted the Aeronautics Division with a bituminous index pricing adjustment, fuel indexing, and the standardization of specification bid items numbers.

Results from this project have been used to assist TDOT with their annual statewide maintenance program and provide input on project selections and treatment types.