ACR-PCR method

The Aircraft Classification Rating (ACR) - Pavement Classification Rating (PCR) method is a standardized international airport pavement rating system developed by ICAO in 2022. The method is scheduled to replace the ACN-PCN method as the official ICAO pavement rating system by November 2024. The method uses similar concepts as the ACN-PCN method, however, the ACR-PCR method is based on layered elastic analysis, uses standard subgrade categories for both flexible and rigid pavement, and eliminates the use of alpha factor and layer equivalency factors.

The method relies on the comparison of two numbers:

• The ACR, a number defined as two times the derived single wheel load (expressed in hundreds of kilograms) that expresses the relative effect on an airplane of a given weight on a pavement structure for a specified standard subgrade strength;
• The PCN, a number (and series of letters) representing the pavement bearing strength (on the same scale than ACN) of a given pavement section (runway, taxiway, apron) for unrestricted operations.