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Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
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Turf Used to Solve Erosion, Drainage, and Visual Conspicuity Problems
Chicago O’Hare was one of the first airports to consider artificial turf as a
way to mitigate recurring soil stability issues. Prior to the AvTurf
installation, airport service vehicles would frequently travel off the access
road near Taxiway D3 and onto the grass, tracking mud and dirt onto the
runways. In December 2001, AvTurf was installed and since implementation,
airport service vehicles are able to traverse the area without soil and
sediment transfer. Since the AvTurf installation no additional maintenance to
the turf or to the airport pavement surfaces, beyond regular maintenance
schedules, has been required.
In addition to solving a soil erosion problem on the airfield, AvTurf was
installed to solve a drainage issue at ORD as water runoff from heavy rain and
melting snow in this area tended to pool around a waterway drain and saturate
the soil. Filling the entire area with concrete between the taxiway and runway
had been endeavored previously, but water continued to pool at the drain
without a mechanism to slow the water flow. It was also noted that the concrete
diminished the visual distinction between the runway and taxiway. Airport
maintenance workers stated that there have been no problems with any type of
erosion or water pooling at this location and provided better visual
conspicuity over the commonly used method of painting the concrete surface.
AvTurf installed a single-strip test area on the island between ORD’s Taxiways
D6 and D7 reaching from the top of the island to the drain. This AvTurf strip
replaced the majority of the existing eroded and rutted grass, and ORD airport
staff noted that the artificial turf strip slowed the flow of water similar to
natural grass. Positive results have also been found in the surrounding area
where instead of becoming oversaturated, the AvTurf product allows water to
absorbed rapidly into the surface.
To demonstrate the artificial turf’s ability to provide clear visual
conspicuity, ORD decided to experiment with a new way to distinguish movement
areas from non-movement areas; they installed artificial turf. An island
located off Taxiway P3 had been painted green to provide visual distinction
between where the taxiway ended and the runway began. However, after mere
months of use, the paint faded and started to chip and peel. The airport found
that it was too costly to shutdown and repaint the area every year, and instead
opted to install AvTurf’s artificial turf in place of the painted area. To date
the artificial turf is still performing as advertised.
Install Locations
D3 Service Road
A17 Island
Runway 14L/32R
P3 Island
D7-6 Island
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