More than 240 representatives from airports across Australia have gathered in Melbourne to talk all things airport pavements and lighting.
Kicking off the discussion on Tuesday was the Australian Airports Association (AAA) pavement technology workshop.
This will be followed by the two-day AAA Airfield Pavement and Lighting Forum on Wednesday and Thursday.
Further, the AAA is also hosting its inaugural airfield ground lighting committee meeting during the week.
“The AAA airfield pavement and lighting forum is the only event of this nature in the Asia-Pacific region and provides a fantastic opportunity for airports to discuss a wide range of technical issues, new technologies and airport challenges,” AAA chief executive Caroline Wilkie said in a statement.
The event program includes presentations from Australian and overseas experts discussing case studies and mulling over possible futures trends for the sector.
There is also a mix of presentations and panel sessions covering topics as diverse as reconstruction of World War 2 runways, managing the repair of earthquake-damaged runways in Papua New Guinea and the practicalities of sprayed sealing for regional airports.
Wilkie said the events represented a valuable opportunity for the industry.
As well as the exchange of information through formal events, the series of events also provide a valuable chance for delegates to network and discuss challenges faced by a wide range of facilities, from remote aerodromes to major airports.
In November 2017, the AAA launched a five-year, $2.85 million study to investigate technologies and practices to make runway surfaces and airport pavements more durable.
For the study, the AAA was partnering with the University of Sunshine Coast (USC), the Department of Defence, Perth Airport and Sunshine Coast Council, the owner of Sunshine Coast Airport.
The full program can be found on the AAA website.
The AAA held its first pavements and lighting forum in 2013.
