Arlington Municipal Airport Development Plan Arlington Airport Development Plan | Page 125

According to the FAA publication, Airport/Facility Directory, “Runway strength rating is not intended as
a maximum allowable weight or as an operating limitation. Many airport pavements are capable of
supporting limited operations with gross weights in excess of the published figures.” The directory
goes on to say that those aircraft exceeding the pavement strength should contact the airport sponsor
for permission to operate at the airport.
The strength rating of a runway can change over time. Regular usage by heavier aircraft can decrease
the strength rating, while periodic runway resurfacing can increase the strength rating. The current
runway strength is adequate to accommodate a large majority of aircraft that operate at the Airport;
however, in the event that large business jets such as the Gulfstream V and Global Express operate at
the Airport more regularly, the runway pavement strength should be strengthened to accommodate
increased operations by these types of aircraft. Furthermore, air cargo aircraft such as the DC-9, 727,
and 737, which have operated at the Airport more frequently in the recent past, typically require high-
er pavement strengths to support the heavy operating loads when landing. The previously approved
ALP calls for an ultimate pavement design strength of 120,000 pounds dual wheel loading (DWL). Ac-
cording to a recent pavement evaluation conducted at the Airport, planning should consider a pave-
ment design strength of 150,000 pounds DWL. As such, future consideration should be given to in-
creasing the pavement strength on Runway 16-34.
TAXIWAYS
The design standards associated
with taxiways are determined
by the TDG or the ADG of the
critical design aircraft.
The design standards associated with taxiways are deter-
mined by the TDG or the ADG of the critical design aircraft.
As determined previously, the applicable ADG for Runway
16-34 is currently ADG II. Ultimate planning considers ADG
III for the runway. Table 3H presents the various taxiway design standards related to ADGs II and III.
The table also shows those taxiway design standards related to TDG. The TDG standards are based on
the MGW and the CMG distance of the critical design aircraft expected to use those taxiways. Differ-
ent taxiway and taxilane pavements can and should be planned to the most appropriate TDG design
standards based on usage.
The current taxiway design for Runway 16-34 should be TDG 2. As such, the taxiways on the airfield
should be at least 35 feet wide. Ultimate planning accounts for TDG 3. Thus, the taxiways associated
with Runway 16-34 should be at least 50 feet to meet this standard.
The current taxiway system is composed of varying taxiway widths that either meet or exceed the
standards for C-II design. Parallel Taxiway A on the east side of the runway is 45 feet wide, and associ-
ated taxiways connecting Taxiway A and the runway range from 35 feet, 50 feet, and 75 feet in width.
Partial parallel Taxiway G on the west side of Runway 16-34 is 75 feet wide, and associated taxiways
connecting Taxiway G and the runway range from 50 feet to 105 feet in width. Future planning should
consider widening parallel Taxiway A and other entrance/exit taxiways to 50 feet in order to meet
planned TDG 3 design criteria at Arlington Municipal Airport.
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