NAPA, FAA extend partnership to advance airfield asphalt pavement research
NAPA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are extending their partnership to advance the performance, safety and durability of asphalt pavements at the nation’s airports through a new five-year cooperative agreement.
Airfield pavements face demands that differ significantly from highways, including heavier loads, higher tire pressures and unique operational requirements. Through the Airport Asphalt Pavement Technology Program (AAPTP), the FAA-NAPA partnership addresses those needs with airport-specific research to improve how asphalt pavements are designed, built and maintained.
The partnership began in 2020 with the first AAPTP cooperative agreement. Since then, AAPTP has brought together researchers, asphalt producers, airport agencies, engineers, contractors and other industry experts to address pavement needs unique to airports.
The program has advanced initiatives such as Balanced Mix Design for airfields, improved longitudinal joint construction, evaluated innovative pavement technologies and developed practical guidance and tools for the airport pavement community. AAPTP also supported the first major update to the Asphalt Paving Handbook in 25 years, incorporating current paving technologies, methods and best practices for both roadway and airfield construction. The handbook was also transformed into a mobile app and website featuring interactive checklists, an AI-powered assistant and training videos.
Since 2020, AAPTP has completed 11 research projects with eight more underway. The program has published nine reports, hosted six webinars, produced more than 40 videos and developed fact sheets and digital tools that make research findings accessible across the construction industry, federal and state agencies, and airport operators.
“AAPTP has grown from a research program into an important resource for the entire airport community,” said Richard Willis, NAPA’s vice president for engineering, research and technology. “This new agreement gives us an opportunity to build on that work and continue providing practical research and guidance to the people designing, building and maintaining critical airfield pavements.”
Learn more about AAPTP research and resources at AirportAsphalt.com.
