AGL Component Library By Precision AGL Academy

Stopway

A designated paved area beyond the end of a runway, designed to provide additional stopping distance for aircraft that overrun the runway during a rejected take‑off or landing. Constructed to support the weight of an aircraft and provide the necessary friction and structural integrity to decelerate the aircraft safely, protecting both the aircraft and the surrounding terrain.

Stopway

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Overview

What Is It?

A Stopway (also known as an overrun area or emergency stopping area) is a prepared, paved surface located at the end of a runway, designed to provide a safe deceleration zone for aircraft that are unable to stop within the runway length. Unlike a blast pad, which is primarily designed to resist jet blast erosion, the stopway is structurally designed to support the full weight of an aircraft and provide adequate friction for braking and deceleration.

Key characteristics of a stopway include:

  • Structural Strength: Designed to support the weight of the largest aircraft type expected to use the runway, using the ACN‑PCN (Aircraft Classification Number – Pavement Classification Number) system.
  • Friction Characteristics: The surface is textured or grooved to provide adequate friction for braking, similar to or slightly less than the runway surface.
  • Surface Type: Typically constructed of asphalt or concrete. Some overrun protection schemes add an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) — a bed of crushable material (e.g., cellular concrete or foamed glass) that decelerates an aircraft through deformation — but this is sited within the Runway End Safety Area beyond the stopway, not built into the stopway pavement itself.
  • Markings: Yellow chevron markings (arrows pointing towards the runway) indicate that the area is not for normal take‑off or landing but is available for emergency overrun.
  • Lighting: May have edge lighting — red, unidirectional lights facing the runway so only aircraft using the runway see them — to define the boundary, and sometimes obstruction lights to mark the end of the stopway.
  • Length: Typically 60–300 m, sized to whatever accelerate‑stop distance the design aircraft's performance data calls for — not fixed by runway code or a standards‑mandated minimum.
Purpose

Purpose & Function

The stopway's purpose is to extend the distance available for a rejected takeoff to come to a stop without extending the runway pavement itself, which matters because runway length drives declared distances used throughout normal operations while a stopway is credited only for accelerate-stop calculations. This distinction lets an airport certify higher takeoff weights for aircraft whose performance planning can use the additional stopping margin, without changing the runway's normal landing and takeoff distance figures or requiring the stopway to be built to the same unrestricted-use standard as the runway itself. Because it may only ever be used during a genuine emergency, its structural design is built specifically for a rare full-weight, high-speed deceleration event rather than for repeated routine traffic.

Application

Where Is It Used?

Stopways are found at airports where the runway length is constrained by terrain, environmental factors, or cost, and where additional safety margins are required:

  • Commercial Airports: At runways serving large passenger aircraft (e.g., Boeing 747, 777, Airbus A380), particularly where the available runway length is limited by site constraints.
  • Military Airfields: At runways serving fighter and transport aircraft, where rapid take‑off and landing operations require additional safety margins.
  • Remote and Island Airports: Where runway extension is physically impossible or prohibitively expensive, stopways provide a safety buffer.
  • Airports with High Ambient Temperatures: Where aircraft performance is reduced due to high density altitude, requiring longer take‑off distances.
  • Runways with High Traffic Volumes: Where the risk of overrun events is statistically higher, stopways provide an additional safety layer.

Stopways serve several critical functions:

  • Runway End Safety: Providing a prepared surface that can safely accommodate an aircraft that overruns the runway, reducing the risk of damage and injury.
  • Deceleration Support: The stopway's friction and structural strength allow the aircraft to decelerate using its brakes, reverse thrust, and aerodynamic drag.
  • Aircraft Protection: Preventing the aircraft from entering rough terrain, ditches, or other hazards beyond the runway end.
  • Compliance with International Standards: ICAO Annex 14 does not prescribe a fixed minimum or maximum stopway length; length is instead derived from the accelerate‑stop distance required for the critical aircraft, per the aeroplane's performance data. Many airports adopt a stopway specifically to satisfy that calculated distance without extending the runway pavement itself.
Placement

Installation & Location

The stopway is constructed in line with the runway, extending beyond the declared runway end at the same width as the runway pavement, and tied structurally into the runway end so an aircraft crossing onto it experiences no step, joint, or grade discontinuity during a rejected take-off. It's built to bear the weight of the aircraft type the runway serves, at least under the accelerate-stop loading condition, even though it isn't intended for routine take-off or landing use, and its surface friction characteristics are matched to the runway so braking performance doesn't change abruptly at the boundary. Because a stopway counts toward accelerate-stop distance calculations rather than take-off or landing distance, it's clearly delineated from the runway proper (through markings or lighting) so pilots and ATC are never in doubt about where the declared runway ends and the stopway begins.

Function

How Does It Work?

The stopway functions through its design, materials, and integration with the runway system:

  • Structural Design: The stopway is designed to support the dynamic loads of an aircraft that overruns the runway at speed. The pavement thickness and material are selected based on the design aircraft type, using the ACN‑PCN methodology. Typically, the stopway has a lower PCN than the runway but is still sufficient to support the aircraft.
  • Friction Provision: The stopway surface is textured or grooved to provide a coefficient of friction of at least 0.4 (wet) to 0.6 (dry), allowing the aircraft to decelerate using its wheel brakes. Some stopways are designed with a "stopping" surface that provides higher friction than the runway itself.
  • Engineered Materials (EMAS): Where fitted, an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) bed of crushable material (e.g., cellular concrete or foamed glass) is installed within the Runway End Safety Area, set back beyond the stopway. When an aircraft reaches the EMAS, the material crushes and absorbs the aircraft's kinetic energy, providing deceleration without relying on the aircraft's brakes.
  • Drainage: The stopway is sloped to ensure rapid water runoff, preventing hydroplaning and maintaining friction in wet conditions.
  • Markings and Lighting: Yellow chevron markings indicate the stopway boundary, and red unidirectional edge lighting (facing the runway) may be provided to help pilots identify the stopway at night. Where EMAS is used, it is typically marked with distinctive yellow or orange markings.
  • Integration with Runway Lighting: The stopway lighting is typically interlocked with the runway lighting system to ensure that the stopway is illuminated when the runway is in use.
Control

System Architecture & Control Logic

Stopway edge lighting shares the runway's series circuit, or a switched extension of it, rather than having a separate command point — the interlock means the stopway illuminates automatically whenever the runway circuit is energised, with no scenario in which the stopway is lit while the runway edge lights are not. EMAS installations, where present, carry no active electrical control at all; their "response" to an overrun is entirely passive and structural (crushable material absorbing kinetic energy), not instrumented or ALCMS-monitored.

System Integration

Circuit & System Overview

Aircraft Overruns Runway End Rejected take‑off or landing overrun Aircraft Enters Stopway Lighting interlocked with runway lighting Standard High‑Friction Pavement Grooved/textured surface, coefficient 0.4 (wet) – 0.6 (dry) Wheel Brakes Decelerate Aircraft Relies on aircraft braking system EMAS Bed (RESA, Beyond Stopway) Crushable cellular concrete or engineered glass material Material Crushes, Absorbing Energy Deceleration independent of brakes Aircraft Brought to a Stop Yellow chevron markings define the stopway boundary

The stopway itself is always a conventional high‑friction pavement that leaves deceleration to the aircraft's own brakes; where the overall overrun protection scheme also includes an EMAS bed within the Runway End Safety Area beyond it, that bed decelerates the aircraft through the physical crushing of its surface — useful where land is too short for a full-length RESA on its own.

Construction

Physical Construction

A stopway is built as a full structural pavement, engineered to a lower load-bearing standard than the runway proper but still capable of supporting the design aircraft's full weight during an overrun and providing adequate braking friction. Construction follows conventional flexible (asphalt) or rigid (concrete) pavement design: a compacted subgrade is overlaid with graded sub-base and base courses, topped with an asphalt wearing course or a reinforced concrete slab, with the total pavement thickness sized to the local soil strength and the aircraft loads the stopway must accommodate. The surface is grooved or tined during construction to maintain a wet-friction coefficient adequate for aircraft braking, and the pavement is graded with a longitudinal slope away from the runway and a transverse slope to shed surface water, tying into the airfield's broader drainage system. Where a site's overrun risk calls for it, an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) bed — built from a crushable, energy-absorbing material and designed to decelerate an aircraft through controlled crushing rather than surface friction alone — may be installed within the Runway End Safety Area beyond the stopway; this is a specialised addition to the overall overrun protection scheme rather than a construction feature of the stopway pavement itself.

Specification

Technical Parameters

ParameterTypical Value
Length (from runway end)Typically 60 m – 300 m (no fixed ICAO minimum/maximum — sized to the accelerate‑stop distance required for the design aircraft)
WidthSame as runway width, or wider
Pavement TypeAsphalt or Concrete (or EMAS for specialised applications)
Pavement Thickness200 mm – 400 mm (depending on soil conditions and aircraft loads)
Load Capacity (PCN)Typically 50–80 (lower than runway but sufficient for the design aircraft)
Friction Coefficient (wet)≥ 0.4 (typical requirement)
Surface TextureGrooved or tined for friction
Longitudinal SlopeTypically 1.0% – 1.5% (away from runway)
Transverse Slope1.5% – 2.0% (for drainage)
MarkingsYellow chevrons (arrows pointing towards runway)
LightingRed unidirectional edge lights (facing runway), obstruction lights at end
EMAS Bed (if provided)Crushable material (cellular concrete/glass), length: 100–200 m — sited within the RESA beyond the stopway, at a setback that avoids jet‑blast damage
Compliance

Applicable Standards

ICAO Annex 14

Stopway dimensions, markings, and structural requirements

FAA AC 150/5300-13

Airport design standards for stopways and overrun areas

FAA AC 150/5320-6

Pavement design for airfields, including stopway construction

ICAO Doc 9157 (Aerodrome Design Manual)

Stopway design and EMAS implementation guidelines

FAA AC 150/5220-22

Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) for aircraft overruns

Prerequisites

Installation Requirements

Subgrade Preparation & Compaction
Civil

Compact the subgrade and place graded sub-base and base courses sized to the local soil strength and the design aircraft loads before the wearing course is laid.

Grade Tie-in to Runway End
Civil

Tie the stopway pavement structurally into the runway end at matched width and grade so an aircraft crossing onto it experiences no step, joint, or grade discontinuity.

Drainage Slope Setting
Civil

Grade the pavement with the design longitudinal slope away from the runway and transverse slope for drainage, tying into the airfield's broader drainage system.

Surface Grooving/Tining
Civil

Groove or tine the finished surface during construction to achieve the wet-friction coefficient the design requires for aircraft braking.

Delineation Marking & Edge Lighting
Electrical

Apply the yellow chevron markings and install edge/obstruction lighting so pilots and ATC are never in doubt where the declared runway ends and the stopway begins.

EMAS Bed Installation (Where Fitted)
Civil

Install the crushable, energy-absorbing EMAS bed at the far end to the specified length and material spec where the design calls for it.

Pre-Handover Sign-off
Documentation

Record pavement thickness, grade tie-in, and delineation as-built before the stopway is accepted for service.

Verification

Testing & Commissioning

Subgrade & Structural Load Test
Pre-Paving

Test subgrade compaction and bearing capacity against the design specification before paving, since the stopway must be structurally designed to support and decelerate an aircraft.

Pavement Bearing Capacity Verification
Construction Acceptance

Verify the completed pavement meets the bearing capacity required for the aircraft type the runway serves.

Runway Tie-In / Grade Continuity Check
Construction Acceptance

Confirm the stopway is tied structurally into the runway end with no step, joint, or grade discontinuity an aircraft would experience during a rejected take-off.

Chevron Marking Verification
Final Acceptance

Confirm chevron markings are complete, correctly positioned, and clearly distinguish the stopway from the runway proper.

Edge Light Circuit & Interlock Test
Final Acceptance

Confirm stopway edge lighting shares (or correctly extends) the runway's series circuit so it illuminates automatically whenever the runway circuit is energised, with no scenario where one is lit without the other.

EMAS Material Inspection
Final Acceptance

Where an EMAS bed is installed, inspect material condition and confirm it meets the manufacturer's commissioning specification before the stopway is opened.

Friction Testing
Final Acceptance

Measure surface friction with a calibrated friction tester against the design threshold before the stopway is accepted into service.

Documentation & As-Built Sign-off
Final Acceptance

Record subgrade, bearing capacity, marking, and friction results alongside as-built dimensions in the commissioning dossier for handover.

Upkeep

Inspection & Maintenance

Friction Testing
Annual

Test surface friction with a calibrated friction tester and schedule grooving or micro-texturing if performance has dropped below the required level.

Chevron Marking Repaint
Every 1-2 years

Repaint yellow chevron markings with high-visibility, reflective paint once fading from UV exposure and traffic reduces conspicuity.

EMAS Material Inspection
Annual

Visually inspect EMAS material for moisture ingress, freeze-thaw damage, and compaction, testing suspect sections and replacing compromised material.

Edge & Obstruction Light Test
Monthly

Test stopway edge and obstruction lights for lamp failure, cable damage, or power issues to keep the boundary clearly defined at night.

Pavement & Drainage Survey
Annual

Survey for subgrade settlement, uneven surfaces, and drainage issues, repairing slopes to prevent water ponding and reduced friction.

Field Notes

Common Field Issues

Friction Degradation

Stopway surfaces can become polished or contaminated with rubber deposits from overrun events, reducing friction. Regular friction testing (using a friction tester) and periodic surface restoration (e.g., grooving, micro‑texturing) are essential to maintain the required stopping performance.

Faded Chevron Markings

The yellow chevron markings on stopways fade due to UV exposure and traffic. Faded markings can confuse pilots, leading to potential runway incursions. Regular repainting (every 1–2 years) with high‑visibility, reflective paint is necessary.

EMAS Material Degradation

EMAS materials (cellular concrete/glass) can degrade over time due to moisture ingress, freeze‑thaw cycles, and compaction from aircraft overruns. Regular visual inspections and material testing are required to ensure that the EMAS remains effective. Compromised sections may need replacement.

Lighting Failures

Stopway edge lights and obstruction lights can fail due to lamp burnout, cable damage, or power supply issues. Regular testing and prompt repair are necessary to ensure that the stopway boundary is clearly defined, especially at night and in low visibility.

Pavement Settlement and Drainage Issues

Subgrade settlement can cause uneven pavement surfaces and affect drainage, leading to water ponding and reduced friction. Regular surveys and repairs to restore proper slopes and drainage are essential.

Diagnostics

Troubleshooting Guide

Reduced Friction / Aircraft Overrun Risk
Likely Cause
Rubber deposit buildup or surface polishing on the stopway pavement has lowered the coefficient of friction below the required minimum for overrun stopping performance.
Diagnostic Steps
Run a continuous friction survey (e.g., Mu-meter or similar decelerometer device) across the full stopway width; compare readings against the minimum friction level (MFL) in the maintenance planning level tables.
Corrective Action
Schedule rubber removal (high-pressure water blasting or chemical treatment) or surface grooving/micro-texturing where friction remains below threshold after cleaning; re-test before returning the surface to service.
Chevron Markings Not Legible from the Air
Likely Cause
UV degradation, traffic wear, or rubber contamination has faded the yellow chevron markings or reduced their retroreflective properties.
Diagnostic Steps
Conduct a day and night visual/retroreflectivity inspection of the chevron pattern; compare against the last repainting date and expected paint life for the climate.
Corrective Action
Repaint using high-visibility, reflective marking paint per the ICAO/FAA chevron pattern; verify glass bead application density meets retroreflectivity specification.
EMAS Bed Shows Compression, Cracking, or Rutting
Likely Cause
A prior overrun event, moisture ingress, or freeze-thaw cycling has degraded the cellular concrete/glass EMAS material, reducing its energy-absorption capability.
Diagnostic Steps
Perform a visual and instrumented inspection of the EMAS bed for crushed, cracked, or displaced blocks; check for standing water beneath the bed liner.
Corrective Action
Replace compromised EMAS blocks per manufacturer specification and re-establish the design bed profile; correct any drainage fault found beneath the bed before reinstating.
Stopway Edge or Obstruction Light Outage
Likely Cause
Lamp/LED failure, damaged secondary cable, or a corroded L-823 connector in the stopway lighting circuit.
Diagnostic Steps
Perform a nightly visual walk-through or ALCMS status check to identify the dark fixture; megger the affected cable run and inspect the connector for corrosion.
Corrective Action
Replace the failed lamp/LED module or repair the cable/connector fault; re-torque the fixture top cap and re-seal before backfilling.
Water Ponding on the Stopway Surface
Likely Cause
Subgrade settlement has altered the design cross-slope, or a blocked drainage inlet is preventing surface runoff.
Diagnostic Steps
Conduct a topographic survey after rainfall to map ponding areas; inspect nearby drainage inlets and pipework for blockage or collapse.
Corrective Action
Clear blocked drainage structures and, where settlement is confirmed, plan pavement releveling or an overlay to restore the design slope.
Reliability

Failure Modes & Root Causes

Surface Friction Degradation
High Severity
Root Cause
Rubber deposit buildup or surface polishing on the stopway pavement lowering the coefficient of friction below the required minimum.
Effect
Reduced friction and elevated aircraft overrun risk during a rejected takeoff or overrun event.
Detection Method
Continuous friction survey (e.g. Mu-meter) across the full stopway width, compared against the minimum friction level tables.
Chevron Marking Degradation
Low Severity
Root Cause
UV degradation, traffic wear, or rubber contamination fading the yellow chevron markings or reducing retroreflectivity.
Effect
Chevron markings not legible from the air, reducing the pilot's ability to identify the stopway as unsuitable for normal operations.
Detection Method
Day and night visual/retroreflectivity inspection of the chevron pattern, compared against the last repainting date.
EMAS Bed Degradation
High Severity
Root Cause
A prior overrun event, moisture ingress, or freeze-thaw cycling degrading the cellular concrete/glass EMAS material.
Effect
Compression, cracking, or rutting in the EMAS bed, reducing its energy-absorption capability during a future overrun.
Detection Method
Visual and instrumented inspection of the EMAS bed for crushed, cracked, or displaced blocks, and checks for standing water beneath the bed liner.
Lighting Circuit Failure
Medium Severity
Root Cause
Lamp/LED failure, damaged secondary cable, or a corroded L-823 connector in the stopway lighting circuit.
Effect
Stopway edge or obstruction light outage, reducing the visible boundary of the stopway at night.
Detection Method
Nightly visual walk-through or ALCMS status check, megger testing of the affected cable run, and connector inspection.
Drainage / Cross-Slope Failure
Medium Severity
Root Cause
Subgrade settlement altering the design cross-slope, or a blocked drainage inlet preventing surface runoff.
Effect
Water ponding on the stopway surface, risking hydroplaning during an overrun.
Detection Method
Topographic survey after rainfall to map ponding areas, and inspection of nearby drainage inlets and pipework.
Precautions

Safety & Operational Notes

Airside Work Coordination
Operational

Any work on or adjacent to the stopway requires ATC/airside coordination and a NOTAM where the surface, markings, or edge lighting will be affected, with vehicle and personnel movement kept clear of the runway strip per the aerodrome's safety management procedures.

Edge Lighting Circuit Isolation
Electrical Safety

Where red stopway edge lights or obstruction lights are fitted, de-energise and lock out the associated CCR before working on fixtures, cabling, or transformers along the stopway boundary.

FOD Control on the Surface
Operational

Keep tools, fasteners, and repair materials accounted for at all times when working on the stopway pavement, and sweep the area clear before reopening it, since foreign object debris here is as hazardous as on the runway itself.

Vehicle Access & Marking
Operational

Confirm vehicle access routes onto the stopway are agreed with airside operations, and do not disturb or obscure the yellow chevron markings that indicate the area is not for normal take-off or landing.

Heavy Equipment & Pavement Work
Personnel Safety

Follow standard construction-site precautions for paving, grading, or crushable-material work, including plant exclusion zones, banksman use, and edge-of-pavement fall or drop-off hazards where the stopway meets surrounding terrain.

Surface Condition Awareness
Operational

Inspect and report standing water, ice, or debris on the stopway promptly, since its friction and load-bearing performance during an overrun depends on the surface being maintained to the same standard as the runway.

Insulation Test Before Re-Energisation
Electrical Safety

After any lighting circuit work, megger test the affected loop before restoring power, since a residual fault at re-energisation can trip the CCR or damage healthy fixtures on the same circuit.

Restore to Compliant State
Compliance

Do not leave the stopway surface, markings, or lighting non-compliant after maintenance; verify condition and conformance before closing out the work and cancelling the associated NOTAM.

Field Insight

Engineering & Expert Notes

A Stopway's Structural Strength Requirement Is Often Underestimated
Design

Because a stopway isn't used for routine takeoff or landing traffic, its pavement strength is sometimes designed to a lower standard than the runway; but it must still support the full weight of the design aircraft during a rejected takeoff, so ACN-PCN calculations should not be relaxed just because the surface sees infrequent loading.

Lighting on the Stopway Must Be Distinguishable From the Runway Edge
Visual Aids

Where edge or centreline lighting continues onto or adjacent to a stopway, pilots need an unambiguous visual cue that they've passed the actual runway end; verify that the lighting configuration and any colour transition at the runway-stopway boundary meets the applicable standard and isn't left to a generic continuation of runway lighting.

Friction Testing Shouldn't Be Skipped Because Traffic Is Light
Maintenance

A stopway sees far less routine wear than the runway proper, which can lead to friction testing being deprioritised in the maintenance schedule; but rubber deposit is not the concern here — weathering, contamination, and surface degradation still reduce braking friction over time and need the same periodic verification as the runway.

FOD Risk Is Easy to Overlook on an Area That "Isn't Really Used"
Operational

Because a stopway doesn't see routine aircraft movements, it can be treated as lower priority for FOD inspection than the runway; but in the rare event it's used, it's used under exactly the conditions — a high-speed rejected takeoff — where debris does the most damage. Keep it on the same inspection cycle as the runway.

Drainage Design Deserves the Same Attention as the Runway's
Design

Water pooling on a stopway surface degrades braking friction in exactly the scenario the stopway exists for — an aircraft already struggling to stop within the runway length; cross-fall and drainage design should match runway-grade standards rather than being value-engineered down as a secondary surface.

Confirm Published Distances Reflect the Stopway, Not Just the Runway
Compliance

Any change to a stopway's length, strength, or surface condition can affect published Accelerate-Stop Distance Available (ASDA) figures; changes to the stopway need to be communicated for aeronautical information and declared distance recalculation, not just recorded as a pavement maintenance item.

Explore Further

Related Components

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers about stopways: purpose, length, construction, lighting, standards and maintenance.

Q1What is a stopway?

A stopway, also called an overrun area or emergency stopping area, is a prepared paved surface beyond the end of a runway that gives an aircraft a safe deceleration zone during a rejected take-off. Unlike a blast pad, which mainly resists jet blast erosion, a stopway is designed to support the full weight of an aircraft and provide friction for braking.

Q2What is the purpose of a stopway?

It extends the distance available for a rejected take-off to come to a stop without lengthening the runway pavement. A stopway is credited only for accelerate-stop calculations, so it does not change the runway's normal declared landing and take-off distances, but it can let an airport certify higher take-off weights.

Q3How long is a stopway?

Typically 60 m to 300 m. ICAO Annex 14 does not prescribe a fixed minimum or maximum length; it is sized to the accelerate-stop distance required for the design aircraft, based on the aeroplane's performance data. It is normally built at the same width as the runway, or wider.

Q4What is a stopway built from, and how strong is it?

Typically asphalt or concrete, 200 mm to 400 mm thick depending on soil conditions and aircraft loads. Load capacity is typically PCN 50 to 80, lower than the runway but sufficient for the design aircraft under the ACN-PCN system. The surface is grooved or tined to give a wet friction coefficient of at least 0.4.

Q5How is a stopway marked and lit?

Yellow chevron markings with arrows pointing towards the runway show that the area is not for normal take-off or landing. It may have red unidirectional edge lights facing the runway, so only aircraft using the runway see them, and sometimes obstruction lights at the end of the stopway.

Q6Is a stopway the same as EMAS?

No. EMAS (Engineered Materials Arresting System) is a bed of crushable material such as cellular concrete or foamed glass that decelerates an aircraft through deformation. Where fitted, it is sited within the Runway End Safety Area beyond the stopway, not built into the stopway pavement. It is passive and has no electrical control.

Q7How is stopway lighting controlled?

Stopway edge lighting shares the runway's series circuit, or a switched extension of it, with no separate command point. It is interlocked so the stopway illuminates automatically whenever the runway circuit is energised.

Q8How does a stopway drain?

It is sloped for rapid runoff to prevent hydroplaning and keep friction in wet conditions, typically with a longitudinal slope of 1.0% to 1.5% away from the runway and a transverse slope of 1.5% to 2.0%.

Q9Which standards apply to stopways?

The main references are ICAO Annex 14, FAA AC 150/5300-13 (airport design), FAA AC 150/5320-6 (pavement design), ICAO Doc 9157 (Aerodrome Design Manual) and FAA AC 150/5220-22 for EMAS. Always verify the current edition and your aerodrome's approved requirements.

Q10How often should a stopway be inspected and maintained?

Typical intervals are monthly for edge and obstruction light tests, annual for friction testing, EMAS inspection and pavement and drainage surveys, and every one to two years for repainting chevron markings. Your airport's approved maintenance programme takes precedence.

Q11What are the common stopway problems?

The common issues are friction degradation from polishing or rubber deposits, faded chevron markings, EMAS degradation from moisture, freeze-thaw and compaction, edge or obstruction light failures, and subgrade settlement that causes ponding and reduced friction.

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