Background: The collection of data on pavement structure, pavement condition, traffic, climate, maintenance actions, testing and evaluation, and other items is essential for effective management of airfield pavements; such data are regularly collected, as part of airfield pavement management systems, by many airports across the country. However, the data and information collected by various agencies have often differed in definition and format, making it difficult for others to interpret and use. Also, state-of-the-art technologies and processes applicable to data collection have not been effectively used for collecting airfield management systems data. The use of global positioning systems in developing geospatially referenced data is one of the technologies that will greatly enhance the effectiveness of airfield management systems. Therefore, there is a need to develop guidelines for the collection and use of geospatially referenced data for use in the management of airfield pavements. Such guidelines will promote compatibility of data collected at different facilities; improve integration, sharing, and analysis of data; provide an effective means for economically addressing issues of common concern; and help better manage investments in airfield pavements.

Objective: The objective of this research is to develop guidelines for the collection and use of geospatially referenced pavement-related data for the management of airfield pavements.

Status: The project is complete. The research reviewed available information and surveyed current practices relevant to the collection and use of geospatially referenced data for the management of airfield pavements, identified and categorized the items necessary for developing guidelines for the collection and use of geospatially referenced data for airfield pavement management, and developed recommended guidelines. The final report has been published as ACRP Report 39, available at https://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/164479.aspx