1 Dec 2021

Development of Smartphone-Based Semi-Prepared Runway Operations (SPRO) Models and Methods

Abstract: The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has developed a method for predicting surface friction response by use of ground vehicles equipped with deceleration-based measurement devices. Specifically, the ERDC has developed models and measurement methods between the Findlay Irvine Mk2 GripTester and a variety of deceleration measurement devices: Bowmonk AFM2 Mk3, Xsens MTi-G-710, two Android smartphones, and two iOS smartphones. These models show positive correlation between ground vehicle deceleration and fixed-slip surface continuous surface friction measurement. This effort extends prior work conducted by the U.S. Army ERDC in developing highly correlative models between the Findlay Irvine Mk2 GripTester and actual C-17 braking deceleration, measured via the runway condition rating (RCR) system. The models and measurement methods detailed here are of considerable use to semi-prepared airfield managers around the world needing to measure safe landing conditions following inclement weather. This work provides the tools necessary for airfield managers to quantify safe landing conditions for C-17 aircraft by using easily obtainable equipment and simple test standards.