BACKGROUND
An aircraft arresting system, such as engineered material arresting system (EMAS) is one mitigation option used at airports where a full runway safety area (RSA) cannot be achieved. An EMAS is positioned within the RSA after the runway extremity and is made of an energy absorbing material that brings an aircraft rapidly and safely to a stop.
ACRP Report 29: Developing Improved Civil Aircraft Arresting Systems (2009) evaluated alternative EMAS materials and potential active arrestor designs for civil aircraft applications. Since the report’s publication, significant development in materials and technologies have occurred, indicating a need to update the research. Additionally, exploring options for systems to arrest aircraft at general aviation (GA) airports would be beneficial.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this research are to:
a. Identify and develop potential viable systems, configurations, and technologies for arresting aircraft at all types and sizes of airports that are not covered by existing patents. Solutions could consider but should not be limited to technical alternatives presented under ACRP Report 29 that could be further developed. In addition, the research should include an assessment of economically feasible solutions applicable to GA airports.
b. Develop a model to evaluate and assess the characteristics of the proposed materials or systems to demonstrate its viability as an acceptable equivalent runway safety area. It should include physical material and or system testing.
The report should include, but not limited to, the following considerations:
- Investigation of the occurrences and characteristics on overruns at GA airports as it impacts arrestor design;
- Weight limits, tire pressure, and deceleration profiles of current and anticipated future aircraft;
- Environmental impacts of individual systems and sustainability of materials;
- Non-proprietary solutions;
- Flexibility to include locally available materials;
- Opportunities to engage airport operators in the future development of alternatives;
- Local conditions (i.e., climate, marine and extreme weather events exposure, geographic location);
- Operational safety (i.e., drivability, compatibility with existing navigational aids, glare and resistance to wildlife);
- Requirements and techniques for system installation and maintenance; and
- Review of other alternate modes of transportation arresting systems (i.e., a runaway truck ramp, escape lane or truck arrestor bed).
Status: RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
