Airport Runway Maintenance/Rubber and Paint Marking Removal Service
Weigel Hochdrucktechnik's product line is centred around the TrackJet system, which has set new standards for the removal of rubber and paint markings on runways, taxiways and aprons. It also cleans the AGL during the rubber removal process and therefore it is of increasing interest to the runway maintenance organisations and departments of the airport industry. An additional feature is road retexturing, which allows the safety of the runway or road to be improved considerably.
Weigel Hochdrucktechnik has specialized in this business field for 30 years. In 1998, by request of a customer the TrackJet Rubber and Paint Removal System was developed and sold to an Airport Contractor in East Asia. Up until 2009 more than 29 systems have been sold.
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Over the past decade, TrackJet operations throughout the world have been successfully implemented and our customers have repeatedly acknowledged their satisfaction.
They have been particularly impressed by the near 100% rubber removal rate, e.g. Mr. J.R.Westgate, External Services Engineering Supervisor, Newcastle Airport who stated that “…No system we have tried has ever completely cleaned the grooved asphalt surface of rubber and left it looking as if it had just been resurfaced.” R. Schenkel, Iwatec also commented “We operate our TrackJet since more than 2 years and work for European Airports. We gained experience on all type of runways surfaces like Concrete, Asphalt and mixed Asphalt and Concrete runways.…The cleaning results of the TrackJet on all type of runway surfaces are excellent. The rubber debris is completely removed and best friction values are measured after the cleaning mission.” Similarly Ian Redmayne, Project Manager, London City Airport remarked that “…The TrackJet equipment was extremely effective at removing both rubber and redundant paint from the runway surface and our Client was very happy with the results.”
Many airport managers were initially apprehensive about the damage that TrackJet might cause to the runway surfaces but their fears were allayed, e.g. Jürgen Gruschel, Airport Munich GmbH who informed us that “In cooperation with our special department „construction of flight areas ‘additionally was executed a “Stress- test’ on the concrete area between Position A8 and A9 by cleaning that area 10 times in a row that specified area of 2x5m. Again there was no damage to the concrete surface nor the sealing material observed.…The gentle working treatment of your System has convinced us. The increasing of the friction coefficient from 0,40 up to 0,80 is impressive.” Similarly Mag. M. Höfer, Division Manager, Airport Vienna
reported that “Of very high importance to us was that despite the very high working pressure of your system of 2500 bar, neither the surface of our runway nor the edges of the drainage grooving were harmed or damaged. The surface after the work showed a uniform structure.” In the same vein, Rolf Castro-Vasquez, Chief Operation Officer, Tirana Airport communicated to us that “We were surprised from the fact that the system used from removing the rubber did not cause any damage on the asphalt of the runway and there was no FOD generated during this process.” Also Eng. Ivan Bassato, Infrastructure Maintenance and Management, Airport Bologna was pleased “In particular the following has to be remarked: No apparent damages were caused to the bituminous concrete paving. The adherence factor on the treated area has fallen back into the optimal 0,70-0,80 range for a “clean” paving. No damages were caused to the markings nor to the centre line lighting” Another comment was offered by Eng. P. Biesemans, Manager outside Infrastructure, Airport Brussels “Before applying the TrackJet system we used conventional high water pressure, but this system damages new Antiskid layers and produces severe damage to poor Antiskid layers. With your TrackJet system we have now a system available that shows minimal negligible damage to the Antiskid layer.” P. Grigoriou, Director Airfield Services, Airport Athens concluded that “Finally we consider all results obtained very satisfactory especially on the antiskid that was not harmed.” Mr. J.R.Westgate, External Services Engineering Supervisor, Newcastle Airport stated that “One of the main concerns to myself was the very high pressure your system used but we found that unlike other systems we have used there was no evidence of any damage to the surface of the runway.…”
Practical, logistical benefits of TrackJet also produced satisfied customers, such as Rolf Castro-Vasquez, Chief Operation Officer, Tirana Airport who noted that “The TrackJet System was efficiently flexible to make possible the rubber removal on our runway without restricting the operations. Few minutes before landing of an aircraft were enough to have the equipments out of the runway and the landing infrastructure was fully operational.” Fritz Henze, Managing Director, Airport Paderborn/ Lippstadt also prasied this aspect of TrackJet “The manoeuvrability of the TrackJet System is excellent because you had to work in running traffic and only small working slots could be made available.” Eng. Ivan Bassato, Infrastructure Maintenance and Management, Airport Bologna noted that “Airport’s operativeness was not interrupted since the used equipment can clear the strip very quickly if demanded by the TWR”
The environmental friendliness of TrackJet has been praised by Ian Cotes, Airfield maintenance Engineer, BAA Gatwick London “…This is without doubt, the most efficient, environmentally pleasing system we have ever tried at Gatwick.” Ing. Mario Scagnetto, , Infrastructure maintenance manager, Aeroporto Marco Polo Venezia also provided similar comments “…Finally the TrackJet System requires only a small amount of water to perform properly with a low environmental impact and minimum water treatment costs.”
As always, the cost benefits are of utmost importance and have been noted by Ian Cotes, Maintenance Team Manager BAA Gatwick who calculates that “Due to the much reduced degradation associated with TrackJet use, the overall life of the surface is now expected to be extended considerably. The current level of deterioration would indicate that TDZ areas should achieve 12 years and possibly longer. …The financial benefits of extending life span by 50% are self evident. The 2000 resurfacing exercise cost in the order of 17,5 Mio pound.”
Other customers are impressed by the after-sales service provided by Weigel, e.g. Hanspeter Moll, Operations, Head of Airfield Maintenance, Airport Zürich who says that “For 4 years now the Zürich Airport operates a TrackJet of the company Weigel with large success. Particularly to mention we would like here the well organized service achievement and the selling of the spare parts by the company Weigel.” Ali Bin Maayouf Al– Ketbi, Managing Director Premium Airports Support Services , Abu Dhabi is also satisfied “. As a result, we have been given additional work at both Abu-Dhabi and Al– Ain International airports. Therefore we are privileged to be one of your customers and plan to purchase more track jet machines to expand our capabilities to cater to the needs of our clients in the region in this regard.”
Some customers have been so totally convinced of TrackJet’s advantages that they recommend it wholeheartedly e.g. Hanspeter Moll, Operations, Head of Airfield Maintenance, Airport Zürich “. The results which by the employment TrackJet in the reference to rubber removal are obtained very well. The execution on Runways for the cleaning of rubber removal is recommendable. For the reason mentioned above, I would be very glad to promote this technology.” Ing. R.F.van der Vegte, Technical Manager Runways&Taxiways, Schiphol Group “The TrackJet – system removed the rubber quit effectively according to the measured friction values (The TDZ was 0,45 and is now 0,70). The rubber was removed without damaging the surface of the AntiSkid layer…The big advantage of the system is its working speed, flexibility, the little damage on the surface underneath and all that with a minimum of manpower. I am impressed with the possibilities of the system and its performance and would like to use the system in the future on the runways and taxiways of Schiphol Airport. Ing. Mario Scagnetto, , Infrastructure maintenance manager, Aeroporto Marco Polo Venezia simply states “I would be very glad to promote this technology.”
Weigel prides itself on ensuring that customer satisfaction is top priority and is delighted to receive such positive feedback. Operations conducted and analysed by independent clients really demonstrate the true capabilities of TrackJet
Airport Runway Maintenance/Rubber and paint marking removal service - 12/04/2010
Customer FeedbackOver the past decade, TrackJet operations throughout the world have been successfully implemented and our customers have repeatedly acknowledged their satisfaction.
They have been particularly impressed by the near 100% rubber removal rate, e.g. Mr. J.R.Westgate, External Services Engineering Supervisor, Newcastle Airport who stated that “…No system we have tried has ever completely cleaned the grooved asphalt surface of rubber and left it looking as if it had just been resurfaced.” R. Schenkel, Iwatec also commented “We operate our TrackJet since more than 2 years and work for European Airports. We gained experience on all type of runways surfaces like Concrete, Asphalt and mixed Asphalt and Concrete runways.…The cleaning results of the TrackJet on all type of runway surfaces are excellent. The rubber debris is completely removed and best friction values are measured after the cleaning mission.” Similarly Ian Redmayne, Project Manager, London City Airport remarked that “…The TrackJet equipment was extremely effective at removing both rubber and redundant paint from the runway surface and our Client was very happy with the results.”
Many airport managers were initially apprehensive about the damage that TrackJet might cause to the runway surfaces but their fears were allayed, e.g. Jürgen Gruschel, Airport Munich GmbH who informed us that “In cooperation with our special department „construction of flight areas ‘additionally was executed a “Stress- test’ on the concrete area between Position A8 and A9 by cleaning that area 10 times in a row that specified area of 2x5m. Again there was no damage to the concrete surface nor the sealing material observed.…The gentle working treatment of your System has convinced us. The increasing of the friction coefficient from 0,40 up to 0,80 is impressive.” Similarly Mag. M. Höfer, Division Manager, Airport Vienna
reported that “Of very high importance to us was that despite the very high working pressure of your system of 2500 bar, neither the surface of our runway nor the edges of the drainage grooving were harmed or damaged. The surface after the work showed a uniform structure.” In the same vein, Rolf Castro-Vasquez, Chief Operation Officer, Tirana Airport communicated to us that “We were surprised from the fact that the system used from removing the rubber did not cause any damage on the asphalt of the runway and there was no FOD generated during this process.” Also Eng. Ivan Bassato, Infrastructure Maintenance and Management, Airport Bologna was pleased “In particular the following has to be remarked: No apparent damages were caused to the bituminous concrete paving. The adherence factor on the treated area has fallen back into the optimal 0,70-0,80 range for a “clean” paving. No damages were caused to the markings nor to the centre line lighting” Another comment was offered by Eng. P. Biesemans, Manager outside Infrastructure, Airport Brussels “Before applying the TrackJet system we used conventional high water pressure, but this system damages new Antiskid layers and produces severe damage to poor Antiskid layers. With your TrackJet system we have now a system available that shows minimal negligible damage to the Antiskid layer.” P. Grigoriou, Director Airfield Services, Airport Athens concluded that “Finally we consider all results obtained very satisfactory especially on the antiskid that was not harmed.” Mr. J.R.Westgate, External Services Engineering Supervisor, Newcastle Airport stated that “One of the main concerns to myself was the very high pressure your system used but we found that unlike other systems we have used there was no evidence of any damage to the surface of the runway.…”
Practical, logistical benefits of TrackJet also produced satisfied customers, such as Rolf Castro-Vasquez, Chief Operation Officer, Tirana Airport who noted that “The TrackJet System was efficiently flexible to make possible the rubber removal on our runway without restricting the operations. Few minutes before landing of an aircraft were enough to have the equipments out of the runway and the landing infrastructure was fully operational.” Fritz Henze, Managing Director, Airport Paderborn/ Lippstadt also prasied this aspect of TrackJet “The manoeuvrability of the TrackJet System is excellent because you had to work in running traffic and only small working slots could be made available.” Eng. Ivan Bassato, Infrastructure Maintenance and Management, Airport Bologna noted that “Airport’s operativeness was not interrupted since the used equipment can clear the strip very quickly if demanded by the TWR”
The environmental friendliness of TrackJet has been praised by Ian Cotes, Airfield maintenance Engineer, BAA Gatwick London “…This is without doubt, the most efficient, environmentally pleasing system we have ever tried at Gatwick.” Ing. Mario Scagnetto, , Infrastructure maintenance manager, Aeroporto Marco Polo Venezia also provided similar comments “…Finally the TrackJet System requires only a small amount of water to perform properly with a low environmental impact and minimum water treatment costs.”
As always, the cost benefits are of utmost importance and have been noted by Ian Cotes, Maintenance Team Manager BAA Gatwick who calculates that “Due to the much reduced degradation associated with TrackJet use, the overall life of the surface is now expected to be extended considerably. The current level of deterioration would indicate that TDZ areas should achieve 12 years and possibly longer. …The financial benefits of extending life span by 50% are self evident. The 2000 resurfacing exercise cost in the order of 17,5 Mio pound.”
Other customers are impressed by the after-sales service provided by Weigel, e.g. Hanspeter Moll, Operations, Head of Airfield Maintenance, Airport Zürich who says that “For 4 years now the Zürich Airport operates a TrackJet of the company Weigel with large success. Particularly to mention we would like here the well organized service achievement and the selling of the spare parts by the company Weigel.” Ali Bin Maayouf Al– Ketbi, Managing Director Premium Airports Support Services , Abu Dhabi is also satisfied “. As a result, we have been given additional work at both Abu-Dhabi and Al– Ain International airports. Therefore we are privileged to be one of your customers and plan to purchase more track jet machines to expand our capabilities to cater to the needs of our clients in the region in this regard.”
Some customers have been so totally convinced of TrackJet’s advantages that they recommend it wholeheartedly e.g. Hanspeter Moll, Operations, Head of Airfield Maintenance, Airport Zürich “. The results which by the employment TrackJet in the reference to rubber removal are obtained very well. The execution on Runways for the cleaning of rubber removal is recommendable. For the reason mentioned above, I would be very glad to promote this technology.” Ing. R.F.van der Vegte, Technical Manager Runways&Taxiways, Schiphol Group “The TrackJet – system removed the rubber quit effectively according to the measured friction values (The TDZ was 0,45 and is now 0,70). The rubber was removed without damaging the surface of the AntiSkid layer…The big advantage of the system is its working speed, flexibility, the little damage on the surface underneath and all that with a minimum of manpower. I am impressed with the possibilities of the system and its performance and would like to use the system in the future on the runways and taxiways of Schiphol Airport. Ing. Mario Scagnetto, , Infrastructure maintenance manager, Aeroporto Marco Polo Venezia simply states “I would be very glad to promote this technology.”
Weigel prides itself on ensuring that customer satisfaction is top priority and is delighted to receive such positive feedback. Operations conducted and analysed by independent clients really demonstrate the true capabilities of TrackJet