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AirportImprovement.com      October 2026
AIRFIELD SAFETY 
BOS | ORH
Performance and longevity can also be affected by how an 
EMAS is maintained. Thomas recommends regular monitoring 
and testing as well as sealing seams and applying new paint 
when needed. Protecting the beds from mowers and snowplows 
is also important, he adds.  
Más EMAS 
Looking ahead, Massport is planning to install an EMAS bed at 
Laurence G. Hanscom Field, the general aviation airport in its 
network. Work at the end of Runway 5 is scheduled to begin by 
early next summer. 
Chris Conley, WSP project manager for the 
work at BOS, notes that Massport’s recent 
and future EMAS installations speak to the 
ways runway projects are changing. “One of 
the strongest trends we’re seeing is airports 
continuing to comply with FAA standards 
while also enhancing overall airfield resiliency,” 
says Conley. “Many airports, particularly 
legacy facilities, face physical constraints that 
make traditional runway safety area improvements difficult. As 
a result, owners are increasingly evaluating innovative solutions 
such as EMAS where extending the runway safety area isn’t 
practical.”
Thomas reports that Runway Safe regularly fields inquiries from 
officials at mid- to large-size general aviation airports that are 
handling more traffic, including business jets. Beyond enhancing 
safety, another prevalent interest is “maintaining or growing the 
performance of their runway, which allows them to get larger 
WHAT’S AT 
THE END OF
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CHRIS CONLEY
The new EMAS at Boston Logan 
sits atop a 650-foot-long pier. 
PHOTO: WSP

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