Scandinavian Airport and Road Systems (SARSYS) - Runway Friction Testing Equipment

Scandinavian Airport and Road Systems (SARSYS) designs, manufactures and markets friction-measurement equipment for airports. Our team has specialised in the field of friction testing since the 1970s, and our experience has enabled us to design and build the SARYSYS Volvo friction tester (SVFT), SARSYS friction tester (SFT) and the SARSYS trailer friction tester (STFT), the most modern and advanced friction testers on the market.

SARSYS also provides the highest degree of service and availability of spares in the market, providing the customer with a long lasting and safe operation.

SARSYS Volvo friction tester (SVFT)

The SARSYS Volvo friction tester (SVFT) is a Volvo V70 car combined with an installed system designed for measuring friction on airports runways, taxiways and highways. The system operates via a measuring wheel, mechanically geared to one of the rear main wheels of the base car.

Friction against the runway surface, in combination with the vertical load on the measuring wheel, creates forces on the measuring wheel mechanism that are constantly measured by the electronic sensor system. Signals from the sensor system are then processed in the SVFTs computer system.

By processing these signals, the computer continuously calculates the friction coefficient, the friction number and the relation between the horizontal and vertical forces acting on the measuring wheel. The computer in the SVFT is pre-programmed to measure and report runway friction in accordance with standards and regulations issued by ICAO, FAA, etc.

The result is then shown on the screen in a colour graph or can be printed on paper in diagram form and figures. The data can also be transmitted to other receivers by means of radio link or PC-link.

Test and approvals:

• Approved by Swedish Civil Aviation Authority, Swedish Transport Agency
• Approved by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Approved and CE-certified (97/37/EG)
• EMC tested and approved (EMC/89/336/EEG)

SARSYS friction tester (SFT)

The SARSYS friction tester (SFT) is a SAAB 9-5 car combined with an installed system designed for measuring friction on airports runways, taxiways and highways. The system operates via a measuring wheel, mechanically geared to one of the rear main wheels of the base car.

Friction against the runway surface, in combination with the vertical load on the measuring wheel, creates forces on the measuring wheel mechanism that are constantly measured by the electronic sensor system. Signals from the sensor system are then processed in the SFTs computer system.

By processing these signals, the computer continuously calculates the friction coefficient, the friction number and the relation between the horizontal and vertical forces acting on the measuring wheel. The computer in the SFT is pre-programmed to measure and report runway friction in accordance with standards and regulations issued by ICAO, FAA, etc.

The result is then printed on paper in diagram form and figures. The data can also be transmitted to other receivers by means of radio link or PC-link.

Test and approvals:

• Approved by Swedish Civil Aviation Authority
• Approved by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Approved and CE-certified (97/37/EG)
• EMC tested and approved (EMC/89/336/EEG)

SARSYS trailer friction tester (STFT)

The SARSYS Trailer Friction Trailer (STFT)is a trailer with a built-in friction measurement system. The measuring system is identical to the system build into the SARSYS Friction Tester (SFT).

The STFT is designed for an extreme long lasting operational life time. The frame is manufactured in stainless / acid-proof steel and designed as a water tank with a volume of 560l, which gives a measuring distance of 7,000m. There is no need for any extra installations to carry out measurement with water as all systems are standard in the STFT. The single axle has a rubber torsion suspension for low maintenance cost and long life time.

Tests and approvals:

• Swedish National Road and Research Institute
• Approved by Swedish Civil Aviation Authority
• Approved by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• EMC-tested and approved (EMC /89/336/EEG

Runway friction-measuring computer system

The computer system (STMC) for SARSYS friction testers (SVFT, SFT and STFT) comprises the following components:

• Windows based measuring computer
• Touchscreen laptop
• Wireless or wired connection
• Preamplifier - measurement computer

The Windows based touchscreen measuring computer processes the signals from the sensors. The computer controls the measuring procedures in accordance with the pre-programmed measuring modes. The computer is controlled either with the buttons on the touchscreen or (in the SFT) with keys on the cars steering wheel. Complete measuring operation can thus be run without the need for the operator to take hands from the steering wheel. The touchscreen is normally attached to a bracket close to the operator.

ICAO and FAA runway measuring programmes

The SVFT, SFT and STFT computer is pre-programmed for complete measurements in accordance with ICAO and FAA regulations as basic measuring modes:

Measuring according to ICAO rules - performing a complete measuring run in both directions on each line of the centreline, the SVFT, SFT and STFT computer divides the runway in thirds and calculates the average friction number for each third, based on both runs.

Measuring in accordance with FAA - in addition, the measuring speed is presented in diagram form. Average friction is calculated for a distance which can be selected.

For more information, please contact us.