CLT Instrumentation

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is undergoing a major expansion with the addition of a fourth parallel runway. Scheduled to open in 2027, the new 10,000-foot runway is designed to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and enhance operational efficiency. To support their research on pavement performance, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) partnered with BDI to design a pavement monitoring system tailored for the new runway. This research initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aims to advance understanding of long-term pavement durability under heavy aircraft loads.

A key objective of the monitoring system is to measure peak load impacts from aircraft takeoffs and landings. These insights will help assess pavement degradation over time. Additional goals include enhancing runway safety by detecting unauthorized vehicle movements and monitoring real-time environmental conditions such as ice accumulation, moisture levels, and visibility.

Leveraging its extensive experience in structural monitoring, BDI worked with UNC Charlotte to define the sensor and data acquisition requirements necessary to meet the research objectives. The team addressed several unique challenges, including the need for high-speed data capture, long cable runs across the expansive runway, and limited locations available for above-ground equipment enclosures. Based on these considerations, BDI developed instrumentation plans and system specifications, providing UNC Charlotte with a solid foundation for soliciting project bids.