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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/813534
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 20 airportbusiness April 2017 FOD damage is responsible for millions of dollars in damage to aircraft every year. Installing artificial turf on infield islands creates a sterile, static environment, with a consistent and low turf height to help airport operators easily identify and remove FOD. In addition, when areas normally subjected to jet blast are stabilized with a synthetic turf installation, the potential for pavement disaggregation and debris created by erosion is eliminated. Artificial turf was installed at Detroit Metro Wayne County International Airport (DTW), to address issues of FOD due to jet blast. Static air- craft would power up to transition onto Runway 4R/22L for takeoff and the resulting jet blast pro- pelled FOD onto the runway. This presented a potential safety risk for following aircraft taking off or landing and created delays and lost reve- nue due to runway closures to remove the debris. While topsoil and hydro seed proved to be a very short-term resolution, since having the artificial turf installed, no FOD has blown on the runway. VISUAL RECOGNITION Differentiation between taxiway and runway pavements can be a challenge for pilots and confusion on the flight deck can result when extra wide taxiways appear to be runway width. During low visibility conditions, in rain and fog, or when the sun is low on the horizon, marking can become virtually invisible. Configurations of northwest/southeast runways and taxiways are especially conducive to these conditions and exacerbated by the glare that pilots encounter on approach to landing. Synthetic turf's ability to enhance con- spicuity and emphasize the differentiation of runway and taxiway pavement is outlined in "Identification Techniques to Reduce Confusion Between Taxiways and Adjacent Runways." In the study, four visual aid enhancements were tested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport: an ele- vated lighted X, artificial turf, omnidirectional runway end identifier lights and an in-pavement lighted X. Each piece of equipment was placed on the taxiway and was evaluated while making final approaches to the runway. Based on the results, artificial turf was visually recognizable at 5 nautical miles, which is greater than any of the other options identified to assist as visual aids and markings. DRAINAGE Laboratory and field drainage tests have been performed with successful results on artificial turf. The artificial turf system allows water to drain through natural percolation and the infill provides a natural filter that can drain up to 60 gallons of water per square foot per hour. Chicago O'Hare was one of the first airports to consider artificial turf to address drainage issues, as well as erosion and visual delinea- tion problems. Water runoff from heavy rain and melting snow tended to pool around a waterway drain and saturate the soil. Previously, the airport had tried filling the area with concrete between the taxiway and runway, but water continued to pool at the drain without a mechanism to slow the water flow. It was also noted that the con- crete diminished the visual distinction between the runway and taxiway. The airport installed a single-strip turf area on the island between ORD's Taxiways D6 and D7 reaching from the top of the island to the drain. This synthetic turf replaced the majority of the existing eroded and rutted grass, and ORD airport staff noted that it immediately slowed the flow of water, similar to natural grass. Airport maintenance workers stated that there have been no problems with any type of erosion or water pooling at this location and it provided better visual conspicuity over the commonly used method of painting the concrete surface. Artificial turf helps stabilize runway and taxiway shoulders and prevents the erosion of soil abutting pavement because of jet blast and water run-off. A durable synthetic turf system also provides a surface that will support inad- vertent excursions by aircraft and minimize damage to aircraft gear systems. Installing artificial turf on airport property minimizes the need for equipment or personnel to be in or around runway and taxiway safety areas. Synthetic turf also aids vehicle operators and pilots to maintain situational awareness while moving on the airport surface. The artificial turf system allows water to drain through natural percolation and the infill provides a natural filter that can drain up to 60 gallons of water per square foot per hour. Act Global AvTurf Inc.