Philadelphia International Airport has added a runway safety feature as part of upgrades there, writes Josh Sanders and Nate Sylves for CBS News Philadelphia.
An Engineered Material Arrest System (EMAS) on runway 826 was celebrated recently by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, with officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and the city’s Department of Aviation.
The EMAS is a high-tech feature to slow down aircraft that overrun the runway. A special crushable concrete material collapses under the weight of the aircraft, slowing the plane down and preventing serious accidents.
The $8.5 million project began in September 2024 and was funded through an FAA Airport Infrastructure Grant.
There are 117 of these systems used across the United States, said Mayor Parker, as she praised the collaboration between the city and federal agencies.
“I’m thankful we were able to implement this vital system that works in the best interest of our city and travelers.”
FFA Administrator Bryan Bedford said EMAS system is a critical upgrade.
“As many of you know, Philadelphia is a land-constrained resource here for this city,” Bedford said, “but it continues to grow, and there is demand for more capacity.”
“Our nation’s airports are really the front door of our communities,” he said.
Find out more about the EMAS system at CBS News.
