The Life Cycle of a Runway Pavement: A Case Study of Runway 1L-19R at the Washington Dulles International Airport

In 1961, the original construction of Runway 1L-19R was completed and the pavement remained idle for approximately one year until the opening of the Washington Dulles International Airport in 1962. The pavement was designed for a 25 year life and will have been in continuous use for nearly 50 years at the time when it is scheduled for reconstruction in 2009. This paper will examine the original design parameters and the history of loading (traffic growth) over the life of the pavement. It will also discuss the active pavement management system implemented by the Authority and the subsequent maintenance activities used to extend life of this pavement. Finally, the paper will discuss the pavement design associated with the upcoming reconstruction project as the Authority attempts to match the history of performance of the original pavement life.