Abstract
International airport regulations require airports to manage runway skid resistance to ensure safe aircraft operations, particularly during landings and aborted take-offs in wet weather. Most airports achieve this through periodic friction testing using continuous friction measuring equipment (CFME) to monitor friction decreases over time caused by rubber deposition from aircraft landings and surface polishing of aggregate particles. Existing guidance specifies test device speed, controlled water application, and test run locations, as well as recommended survey frequency based on aircraft traffic, and defines warning and minimum friction thresholds. However, friction survey results are inherently variable, and limited guidance exists on how to interpret, characterize, and compare these values against regulatory thresholds. This study uses real runway friction survey data to develop best practice guidance for interpreting survey results, providing a framework that supports informed decision-making, meets regulatory obligations, and avoids unnecessary maintenance interventions, ultimately contributing to safer runway operations and effective skid resistance management.