Abstract:
The Pavement Classification Number (PCN) was an international method developed by
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to report runway, taxiway as well as
apron pavement strength. In the past, the great variation in calculated PCN values
obtained through available internationally recognised methods for PCN calculation,
allowed pavement engineers to target a specific PCN to the potential detriment of
the airfield pavement and its safe operation. Recently, in June 2020, the ACN-PCN
system was replaced by the new ACR-PCR (Aircraft Classification Rating ‒ Pavement
Classification Rating) system. During this study a series of PCN calculations were
performed for a range of typical airport pavement structures with different internationally
recognised PCN calculation approaches. The process was repeated using the new PCR
approach with the currently available calculation approaches. The variation in PCN was
compared to the variation in PCR to confirm if the new rating system results in reduced
variation. The analysis confirmed a reduced variation in calculated ratings for flexible
pavements, but not for rigid pavements.
