Charlotte Douglas International Airport will install sensors into a fourth parallel runway during construction. This is part of a $6.5 million research project with UNC Charlotte. The work aims to build a “digital twin” system that collects live data on pavement conditions, which could improve how airports handle safety and upkeep across the nation.
Engineers will place sensors right into the pavement as crews build it. The devices will monitor how the surface holds up, giving engineers better information for future design choices and repairs.
“This instrumentation and digital-twin project grew out of a strong partnership with UNC Charlotte, where the airport serves as a living laboratory for students,” said Airport Chief Infrastructure Officer Jack Christine in a statement.
Dr. Tara Cavalline leads the research team. She’s a professor of Civil Engineering Technology & Construction Management at the university. Her studies focus on solving problems that airports face today through actual field testing.
“We want to be doing cutting-edge research that really capitalizes on this partnership to advance the research that addresses the needs and challenges of today’s airports, today’s aviation industry,” said Dr. Cavalline, according to WCNC.
The Federal Aviation Administration granted $2 million to back this work. Officials at the FAA plan to use what they learn to revise design programs and building standards for runways nationwide.
“The FAA is supporting our work because we’re getting them real-time data that they can use to update and enhance their design software, their design guidelines, and eventually, their construction specifications,” Dr. Cavalline said. “So, although we’re getting operational data that supports really important decisions on de-icing and some other things, we’ll also be getting data that supports the design and construction, and maintenance of — not only Charlotte’s airport, but airports across the U.S. moving forward.”
Students from the Aviation and Innovation Research Institute will help with testing. They’ll assist faculty members as they collect readings and study what the sensors reveal.
This project stems from CLT’s 2016 Master Plan. That plan mapped out what the airport needed as more passengers started flying through. Last year, the facility handled over 574,000 aircraft operations — seventh-most in the world.
The new runway stretches 10,000 feet. It’ll feature updated electrical equipment, water drainage systems, and a fire station. Builders expect to wrap up in fall 2027.
