Trapezoidal shaped grooves on the surface of Changi Airport’s Runway 1
Changi Airport introduces new and improved runway maintenance processes including cutting of grooves and stronger asphalt mix to resurface the airport’s runways.
Trapezoidal shaped grooves have been cut into the surface of Changi Airport Runway 1. This is a new safety designed by the Federal Aviation Authority of USA which also improves drainage in the event of higher intensity rainfall. This enhances the safety of aircraft operations by reducing the risk of hydroplaning which happens when a layer of water builds between the aircraft tyre and the runway surface, causing skidding. Changi Airport is the first in Asia to implement this.
Runway 1 is also being resurfaced with stronger and more durable asphalt mix that was jointly developed with the Civil Engineering Department of the National University of Singapore. The mix has been t dyed over three years to Ensure it achieves a higher temperature resistance in anticipation of hotter weather from climate change. The grooving and resurfacing of Runway 1 have been ongoing since October 2015. Completion is expected by end of 2016. Runway 2 has recently been resurfaced.
New special equipment to Ensure the surface evenness and friction on the runways have also been procured. This includes a new rubber removal machine that uses the mechanism of ultra high pressure jet washing to remove the aircraft tyre rubber build up from aircraft landing.
A runway is closed every night for less than six hours for regular inspection and maintenance works.
Other maintenance done on the airfield include servicing Nor airfield lighting, repainting of pavement markings and grass cutting.
