CLT and UNC Charlotte lead nation with runway instrumentation and digital twin program

CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte Douglas International Airport and UNC Charlotte’s Aviation and Innovation Research Institute are steering the future of aviation infrastructure by launching an instrumentation and digital twin program. The program, the only one of its kind in the nation, brings advanced modeling and real-time data into the newest runway currently under construction, one of the airport’s most significant capital projects.

Identified in the Airport’s 2016 Master Plan Update, the Fourth Parallel Runway Program was designed to meet growing demand for air service while maintaining efficient operations. In 2025, CLT’s three runways recorded 574,193 aircraft operations, the seventh-most in the world.

“This instrumentation and digital-twin project grew out of a strong partnership with UNC Charlotte, where the airport serves as a living laboratory for students,” said Jack Christine, chief infrastructure officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “By incorporating advanced technologies and innovative solutions, we’re enhancing how we design, build and operate our facilities. Safety is and will always be our top priority, and this collaboration supports our ongoing commitment to modernizing airport infrastructure. It reflects what can be achieved when working closely with Charlotte’s research university to turn innovation and research into real-world, cutting-edge results.”

On Sept. 1, 2025, CLT entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Charlotte AIR to collaborate on research initiatives aimed at advancing the aviation industry with a specific focus on enhancing airport operations. This agreement led to the Fourth Parallel Runway Instrumentation and Digital Twin Technology Program, which will embed pavement sensors within the runway to provide real-time data and insights into pavement performance and maintenance needs. The collected data will be used by the airport for day-to-day operational analysis and by the Federal Aviation Administration to enhance future airfield pavement design and construction criteria for airports nationwide.

John Daniels, vice chancellor of research at UNC Charlotte, is also a researcher on the project.

“This first-of-its-kind partnership puts Charlotte at the center of aviation modernization,” Daniels said. “By embedding technology directly into the runway, we aren’t just building infrastructure. We are creating valuable data, models and insights that will inform the future of airfield design nationwide. Just as important, this work creates unparalleled, hands-on research opportunities for our students, who will be learning under the leadership of Professor Tara Cavalline, principal investigator on the project. Together with our partners at the airport, we are advancing safer, smarter and more efficient aviation infrastructure for the future.”

The approximately $6.5 million Digital Twin project is supported through a mix of grants, committed funding and in-kind contributions. CLT and UNC Charlotte presented the concept to the FAA’s Airport Concrete Pavement Technology Program, which awarded a $2 million grant.

In Oct. 2023, CLT established a partnership with UNC Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering to launch Charlotte AIR. Other key partners in the Institute are the Sullenberger Aviation Museum and Talbert, Bright and Ellington, a leading consulting firm for the aviation industry.

Construction of the 10,000-foot by 150-foot, 18-inch-deep runway is moving steadily toward its planned opening and commissioning in fall 2027. Current work includes concrete placement, installation of erosion and sediment control measures and drainage structures. Airfield electrical systems are also being installed at multiple points along the runway. The project includes a new Charlotte Fire Station and renumbering of existing runways. Groundbreaking was held on June 9, 2023.

Follow @CLTairport on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. Download the free, all-in-one CLT Airport app at the App Store or on Google Play. Get the latest Airport news at cltairport.com/news or sign-up to receive CLT's electronic newsletters at cltairport.com/news/newsletters-sign-up. Multimedia galleries featuring images and videos are available with credit attributable to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Follow @UNCCharlotte on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. Visit Inside.Charlotte.edu for the latest university news.