Understanding Acr Ops: Vital Airport Functions Explained

ACR can refer to multiple things in the aviation industry. ACR can refer to ACR International, a consultancy that provides Air Traffic Services (ATS) and other consultancy services. ACR can also refer to the ACR-PCR system, which stands for Aircraft Classification Rating – Pavement Classification Rating. This system, which will be adopted by ICAO in November 2024, offers a more accurate evaluation of the strength of airport pavements, providing a better understanding of pavement life, and facilitating pavement usage optimization. ACR can also be short for the Airport Cooperative Research Program, an industry-driven, applied research program that develops practical solutions to problems faced by airport operators.

ACR-PCR: A new system for evaluating airport pavement strength and life

ACR most commonly refers to the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), an applied research program that develops practical solutions to problems faced by airport operators. ACRP is managed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies and sponsored by the FAA. ACRP has produced over 400 resources and tools for airport practitioners, which are available for free. ACR can also refer to ACR International, a consultancy that provides Air Traffic Services (ATS) and other consultancy services.

The ACR-PCR (Aircraft Classification Rating – Pavement Classification Rating) system is a new method for evaluating the strength and life of airport pavements. It will replace the outdated ACN-PCN system, which is inconsistent with modern airport pavement design methods. ACR-PCR offers a more accurate evaluation of the bearing strength of airport pavements, providing improved predictability of pavement life and optimization of pavement usage. This system contributes to safe and efficient runway performance and facilitates pavement usage optimization.

Adopting the ACR-PCR system typically involves a 3-stage approach:

• Assess traffic: Evaluate the current and future aircraft fleet operations at the airport, including aircraft types, operating restrictions, and pavement usage.
• Evaluate pavements: Define pavement inspections required for evaluating the bearing strength of airport pavements and assess the airport pavements using the latest pavement design methods.
• Conclude: Establish the PCR for the respective airport pavements in accordance with the ACR-PCR system and include it in the Aerodrome Information Publication (AIP) of the airport.

The ACR-PCR system will be adopted by ICAO and come into force in November 2024. Airport owners and operators will need to publish the Pavement Classification Ratings (PCR) for all airport pavements in the AIP. Working with experts who have knowledge and experience in ACR-PCR projects can help ensure a successful and timely adoption of the new system.

ACRP: A research program developing solutions for airport operators

ACRP stands for Airport Cooperative Research Program, a research program that develops solutions for airport operators. It is an industry-driven, applied research program that funds over 20 projects annually, focusing on issues that other federal research programs do not address. Managed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies and sponsored by the FAA, the ACRP has produced more than 400 practical resources and tools for airport practitioners, which are available for free.

The ACRP offers a range of resources, including reports, webinars, and continuing education or certification maintenance credits. The program covers a diverse range of topics relevant to the aviation industry, with a specific emphasis on addressing the challenges faced by airport operators.

One of the critical aspects of the ACRP is its commitment to practical, actionable solutions. By funding projects that other federal research programs might not prioritize, the ACRP fills a unique niche in the aviation industry. This approach has led to the development of innovative tools and resources that directly benefit airport operators and practitioners.

An example of the ACRP's impact is the upcoming implementation of the Aircraft Classification Rating – Pavement Classification Rating (ACR-PCR) system in November 2024. This new system, adopted by the ICAO, will enhance runway safety and efficiency by providing a more accurate evaluation of airport pavement strength and facilitating pavement usage optimization. The ACR-PCR system will be a significant advancement for airport operators, offering improved predictability of pavement life and optimized maintenance practices.

The ACRP's comprehensive approach, which includes hosting webinars, publishing reports, and providing free access to its resources, ensures that airport operators and practitioners have the knowledge and tools necessary to address the challenges of airport management effectively.

ACR-PCR adoption: A 3-stage process to assess traffic, evaluate pavements and conclude

Adopting the ACR-PCR system is a significant step forward for airport owners and operators. The new Aircraft Classification Rating – Pavement Classification Rating (ACR-PCR) system offers a more accurate evaluation of the strength of airport pavements, providing a better understanding of pavement life, and facilitating pavement usage optimisation.

Stage 1: Assess Traffic

The first stage involves assessing the current and future aircraft fleet operations at the airport. This includes a detailed analysis of the types of aircraft, associated operating restrictions, and aircraft pavement usage. By understanding the traffic patterns and the specific aircraft using the airport, operators can better evaluate the impact on pavement usage and bearing strength.

Stage 2: Evaluate Pavements

The second stage involves defining the necessary pavement inspections to evaluate the bearing strength of airport pavements. This stage utilises the latest pavement design methods to assess the condition and performance of the airport pavements. By conducting thorough inspections, operators can identify any weaknesses or areas that require maintenance or repair.

Stage 3: Conclude

The final stage of the ACR-PCR adoption process is to establish the Pavement Classification Ratings (PCR) for the respective airport pavements. These ratings are then published in the Aerodrome Information Publication (AIP) of the airport. The PCRs provide a clear understanding of the pavement's strength and life expectancy, enabling airport operators to optimise pavement usage, inspection, and maintenance.

Overall, the ACR-PCR system provides a comprehensive framework to assess, understand, and optimise airport pavements, contributing to safer and more efficient runway performance.

ACR-PCR benefits: Optimisation of pavement usage, inspection and maintenance

The ACR-PCR system offers a more accurate evaluation of the strength of airport pavements, providing a better understanding of pavement life and facilitating pavement usage optimisation. This system, which comes into force in November 2024, replaces the outdated ACN-PCN system, which is inconsistent with modern airport pavement design methods.

The ACR-PCR system enables the optimisation of pavement usage, inspection, and maintenance in several ways. Firstly, it allows for a more accurate evaluation of the bearing strength of airport pavements. This, in turn, offers improved predictability of pavement life. Secondly, the system employs a cumulative damage factor (CDF) to assess the impact of overload operations, further enhancing the predictability of pavement life. By anticipating pavement failure through routine maintenance, the system helps to reduce the hazards and costs associated with pavement maintenance. Thirdly, the ACR-PCR system takes into account various parameters such as individual wheel load, main gear leg geometry, and tyre inflation pressure, and their impact on aircraft weight distribution on pavements. This helps to optimise the use of existing and future pavements.

Furthermore, the ACR-PCR system contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions along the pavement life cycle through predictive maintenance and usage optimisation. The integration of ACR-PCR with traffic data monitoring allows for ultimate pavement use optimisation and helps to better anticipate any damage due to unexpected traffic changes.

Adopting the ACR-PCR system typically involves a three-stage approach: assessing traffic, evaluating pavements, and concluding with the establishment of the PCR for the respective airport pavements. While this new system offers numerous benefits, it does require a comprehensive understanding of its requirements. Working with experts in the field can help ensure a successful and timely transition to the ACR-PCR system.

ACR-PCR implementation: Airports must publish Pavement Classification Ratings in November 2024

The ACR-PCR (Aircraft Classification Rating – Pavement Classification Rating) system is a standardised international airport pavement rating system. It was developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2022 and will come into force on 28 November 2024.

The ACR-PCR system will replace the outdated ACN-PCN system, which is inconsistent with modern airport pavement design methods. ACR-PCR offers a more accurate evaluation of the strength of airport pavements, providing a better understanding of pavement life and facilitating pavement usage optimisation. This system contributes to safe and efficient runway performance, offering improved predictability of pavement life for airport owners and operators.

Adopting the ACR-PCR system typically involves a 3-stage approach:

• Assess traffic: Evaluate the current and future aircraft fleet operations, including aircraft types, associated operating restrictions, and aircraft pavement usage.
• Evaluate pavements: Define pavement inspections required for evaluating the bearing strength of airport pavements and assess the airport pavements using the latest pavement design methods.
• Conclude: Establish the PCR for the respective airport pavements in accordance with the ACR-PCR system and include this in the Aerodrome Information Publication (AIP) of the airport.

As of November 2024, airports must publish the Pavement Classification Ratings (PCR) for all airport pavements in the AIP. This transition to the new ACR-PCR system requires a comprehensive understanding of the new requirements. Airport operators can work with experts in the field, such as NACO, which has over 70 years of experience in airport pavement engineering and ACR-PCR projects, to ensure a successful and timely adoption of the new system.

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