ICAO Compliant Airfield Surface Friction Testing

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets Global Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) regarding runway friction testing, these are extremely important for both runway safety and general airfield maintenance. Here we discuss why runway surface friction is important, how it can degrade over time, and how an airport can use ICAO compliant friction testing equipment (such as the SMETS CSR Friction Tester) to reduce risk and increase runway safety.
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Runway Friction – Central to Aviation Safety

Runway surface friction underpins aviation safety and operations. Optimal friction both increases aircraft breaking performance and reduces the risks associated with hydroplaning.

There are two main elements to pavement surface friction – microtexture and macrotexture.  The former fundamentally affects tyre grip, whilst the latter impacts the effectiveness of water drainage. When maintained well it helps to optimise runway breaking action so leads to safer landings, when maintained poorly however, an aircraft landing in wet conditions can face significant risk.

Friction Degradation and its Safety Implications

Traffic, weather, and time lead to an ongoing degradation of pavement textures – constant runway traffic, binder bleed from the asphalt, and accumulated contaminants (mostly tyre rubber) lead to textures either being worn down and clogged up. As time progresses these processes reduce runway surface friction – increasing the risk of skidding and hydroplaning.

Over time, neglecting runway friction levels can become a major safety hazard, increasing the risk of runway overruns and runway excursions. Airport managers can significantly reduce safety, financial, and reputational risks by including ICAO compliant surface friction testing within their regular runway maintenance plan.

ICAO Compliance with Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment (CFME)

Smets Technology CSR Friction Tester
Smets Technology CSR Friction Tester Car Interior
Regular friction testing is mandated by ICAO to help maintain safe runway braking conditions. CFME such as the SMETS CSR Friction Tester measure a runway’s grip, particularly simulating slipperiness in wet conditions – the very conditions that can lead to a runway failing to provide enough grip for landing aircraft. The regular and systematic use of CFME helps airport management determine the locations and optimal frequency of rubber removal operations. With a continuous measurement of runway grip at speeds of up to 120km/h (and through a constant 1mm film of water) the equipment assesses the actual runway conditions and determines when rubber removal is required.

Enabling Proactive Runway Friction Management & Regulatory Compliance

As part of an ongoing maintenance plan the CFME enables proactive management – this helps to restore optimal runway friction so enhancing aircraft braking performance and directional control, leading to a direct improvement in runway safety. Importantly use of CFME also ensures stringent compliance with ICAO regulations, hence mitigating potential legal consequence or fines. In addition, this specialist equipment that gives reliable and consistent testing helps to support data-driven decision making – meaning potentially more effective maintenance scheduling and resource allocation. This enables efficiencies due the enablement of movement away from reactive repairs towards proactive repairs. Another benefit is the provision of crucial data for the airport’s Safety Management System – this can be used to proactively identify potential hazards and mitigate the associated risks. Here in Germany, we custom engineer CFME for airports all around the world – get in touch to see how we can help you improve your runway safety.

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