MPP

Persistent Runway Monitoring

Objective

The project aims to investigate and develop a non-invasive system of Persistent Runway Monitoring (MPP), focused on the contact zone of the aircraft wheels (normally subjected to greater tension), to identify surface degradation, foreign objects and thickness of sheets of water.

Impact

MPP addresses three main results:

• detect the formation of cracks or deformations in the runway pavement, which will allow the airport to readjust the runway maintenance operations according to needs, reducing the environmental impact (contributing to extend the life of the infrastructure, mitigating the need for more substantive interventions and therefore with greater impact) and the costs associated with maintenance;

• allow detecting objects / debris (FOD – foreign object debris) that can significantly affect the runway operation

• Identify the risk of aquaplaning, by monitoring the characterization of the water table on the runway, using optical spectroscopy to calibrate this functionality.

The project encompasses the execution of a pilot to test in the touchdown zone of the aircraft on the runway, an area subjected to greater stress (e.g. wear caused by the impact of the aircraft wheels on the runway) mainly on runways with a high number of movements.