SubscribeThe TrackJet equipment is used at most of the major airports in the UK.
These airports include the ones owned by BAA such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Below is operational data on the performance of the HPW and TrackJet (PADE, 2005).
Before and after friction tester results Munich Airport/Germany.
Figure 1: Conventional 700 Bar system - friction value increase was 0.23.
Figure 2: TrackJet 2500 Bar system - friction value increase was 0.45
Figure 3: Visual Effect of Anti Skid coated runway treated by TrackJet 2500 Bar system - friction value increase was 0.45.
Figure 4: Picture of different treatment effects on antiskid surface Jet 2500 Bar system - friction value increase was 0.45.
Test results of 3 different technologies:
- Biological treatment.
- Common water jetting with 500 bar.
- TrackJet.
On a military airfield in Germany.
TrackJet has removed 100 % of rubber while HPW and Biological have left a lot of rubber.
BAA GATWICK AIRPORT FIELD STUDY: results from NOVEMBER 2004 to FEBRUARY 2005
TrackJet now operating for 3 years at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airport! Gatwick has in peak times up to 800 movements on a single runway system. Prior TJ, all kinds of rubber removal systems used including 600 bar Traditional H.P.W.
| THPW | TJ | |
| m² Rubber Removed in 25 hrs | 8,00 | 17,380 - 20,000 |
| Friction value increased to | 0.55 | 0.7 + |
| Water consumption (ltrs) in 5 hrs operation | 75,000 -100,000 | 10,000 |
| Rubber cleaning factor (%) | approx. 70 | 100 |
| Waste removal from Runway | less 100% | 100% |
| Actual Unit Costs (€ /m²) | 3.00 | less |
BENEFITS:
- Confidence in financial liability of cleaning process,
- Confidence in output area level of 700m²/hr +,
- Confidence in deep cleaning process,
- Confidence in friction levels above 0,7+,
- Confidence in low water consumption,
- Confidence in 100% waste and water removal,
- Confidence in NO damage to surface,
- Confidence in NO damage to grooving.
RESULTS: Overall lifetime extension of Runway is expected to be:
For TDZ from 8 years to 12 years TDZ renewal costs are 3.1 mill €, for RWY from 12 years to 18 years Rwy renewal costs are 27 mill €.
Conclusion
Similar to the maintenance of mechanical machinery, the maintenance of pavements also leads to an extended lifespan of pavements and increased safety to users. Undoubtedly this results in fewer costs for the project life cycle period and reduced usage of the earth's raw material to reconstruct pavements.
There are several different methods of pavement maintenance and the choice is dependent on the condition of the surface and what properties are required to be restored.
One of the major physical disabilities of regular pavement usage is the loss of frictional value that is affected by the micro and macro texture of the pavement. This is of utmost importance especially to the airport and highway industry, as reduction in frictional values on runways and high-speed roads poses a great threat to aircrafts and other road users.
There are five main techniques used for rubber removal that lead to a restoration of frictional values to pavements. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and the choice of method may depend on the cost, pavement material, main reason for pavement restoration, environment, etc.
Based on the comparison analysis, the TrackJet equipment has a distinctive advantage against HPW and its other peers. It is used by BAA and other major airports and highway authorities across Europe because of its multiple usages, effectiveness and efficiency.
From its usage, BAA has seen the following advantages of the TrackJet technology compared with other systems:
- Reduction in frequency of rubber removal required per annum (from 5 times to 2 times per year at Gatwick airport).
- Frictional values after cleaning always more than 0.7.
- Runway life time increase from 12 to 18 years (50% increase in lifespan).
- Much lower water consumption.
- Larger cleaned area within same time.
- No damage to grooving.
- No damage to surface.
- significant reduction in unit cost (below 3.00 € /m²).
- 100% removal of rubber and waste water.
- Output level greater than 700m²/hr after first deep cleaning process.
