Journal article
Runway Microtexture Degradation Under Operational Wear and Rubber Contamination, and Subsequent Recovery: A Case Study
Infrastructures, Vol.11(5), pp.1-19
2026
Abstract
Runway microtexture is a key parameter governing pavement friction. In recent years, several microtexture assessment methods have been developed; however, understanding of microtexture evolution under operational conditions, as well as the effects of maintenance techniques, remains limited. In this study, a runway at an Australian airport was investigated using laser profilometry. Measurements were conducted across multiple transverse sections, including aircraft touchdown and mid-runway zones. Microtexture deterioration rates were evaluated based on the estimated number of tire–pavement contacts, and aggregate polishing was assessed at different locations. Measurements were also performed after rubber contamination removal and rejuvenation treatments. The results indicate that approximately 25% of total microtexture reduction can be attributed to surface polishing, with a lower contribution in touchdown zones due to the protective effect of rubber deposits. A non-linear degradation trend was observed in touchdown zones, where approximately 1100 tire contacts reduced average microtexture roughness from 18 μm to 11 μm. Rubber removal effectively restored microtexture close to its original levels across the runway width. A rejuvenation treatment with a covering of fine sand initially improved microtexture; however, rapid deterioration occurred due to loss of the sand coating. These findings improve the understanding of microtexture evolution under operational runway conditions, albeit only at a case study level, and support more effective runway maintenance planning and intervention strategies.
Details
- Title
- Runway Microtexture Degradation Under Operational Wear and Rubber Contamination, and Subsequent Recovery: A Case Study
- Authors
- Gadel Baimukhametov - University of the Sunshine CoastGreg White (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Infrastructures, Vol.11(5), pp.1-19
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.3390/infrastructures11050174
- ISSN
- 2412-3811
- Copyright note
- © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
- Data Availability
- The products presented in this article are available on request from the corresponding authors.
- Grants
- Continuation of the Airport Pavement Research Program, 0980027110, Australian Airports Association
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991231317602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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