The Problem
Since the introduction of wide body turbojet aircraft into the NAS in the mid 1950’s, rubber residue left behind by the tires of landing aircraft has been a major safety concern. This rubber residue becomes very slick in wet weather conditions, drastically increasing the rates of runway overruns and incursions.
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A Brief History On Pavement Maintenance
Click through the sections below to understand how the industry has addressed rubber buildup on airport runways.
With the introduction of widebody turbojet aircraft like the boeing 767 came higher landing speeds and more weight on the tires during landing. These new conditions led to more rubber being deposited onto the runway, resulting in slick conditions during wet weather. Infrastructure limitations wouldn’t allow for runway extensions, and these jets were expected to land on pre-existing runways designed for smaller aircraft. An increase in incursions and overruns led the FAA to investigate the issue and find alternative solutions.
NASA began studying the issue at Langley Research Center in Virginia, testing solutions that wouldn’t require the extension of runways. With the help of Tom Yager, they learned that cutting grooves a quarter of an inch deep and a quarter of an inch wide would improve the drainage of the pavement in wet weather conditions and afford higher traction to aircraft moving at high speeds. These revelations became standard practice when they were introduced by Advisory Circular 150/5320-12A, but the rubber buildup itself still presented hazardous conditions.
The first method of removing airport rubber deposits was called high pressure water blasting. This method consisted of a pressure washing head, firing at up to 40,000 PSI directly on the runway surface. For comparison, a typical heavy duty household pressure washing unit fires at 3,000 PSI. While effective, these units also removed a layer of the pavement surface, causing the lifespan of the runway to decrease dramatically when operated by inexperienced personnel. These systems polish the pavement grooves, remove runway paint, damage joint seals, and can cause micro cracks in the pavement surface increasing the rate of infiltration by rainwater.
Avion was introduced in the 1980’s and was the first patented non-destructive rubber removal detergent. The formula is highly alkaline, effective in dissolving the built up rubber, but is easy on asphalt and concrete surfaces. It addresses all of the drawbacks of using high pressure water blasting, ensuring the longest lifespan possible for the runway surface while protecting joint seals, paint, and lighting. The best part: it requires snow removal equipment that airports already own. While high pressure water blasting necessitates a significant upfront investment along with lengthy training for operators, Avion can be done with a small crew that already understands the process of using snow brooms and deicing rigs. It’s also environmentally compatible, protecting the local ecosystem and safety of airport personnel.
Why Choose Avion?
Safe & Sustainable
No harsh chemicals, protects your pavement surface, joint seals, paint, employees, and the environment
Cost Effective
Use your own equipment and personnel, no up-front cost or training, detergent at pennies per square foot
Trusted For Decades
In-use at hundreds of airports and military airfields around the world. Main rubber removal method of the United States Airforce
Compromise Elsewhere…
Get in touch with our sales team to learn more about how Avion can maximize your pavement management strategy.