Abstract
In 2020, a new system for airport pavement strength rating, known as ACR-PCR, was approved for the introduction in November 2024. The new system operates in a similar manner to the old system but uses the same mathematics and methods that are embedded in many contemporary airport pavement thickness determined software. This avoids many anomalies between pavement thickness design and strength rating, which is beneficial. This paper reviews the benefits, limitations, and some potential improvements associated with the transition to the new system. The new strength rating system is expected to be in place for many years, and it is recommended that it should be improved by allowing a rational approach to setting runway strength ratings, replacing the surface protect tire pressure limits with an index that takes into account both tire pressure and wheel load and replacing the subgrade categories with the actual subgrade characteristic value used in design and evaluation.