The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires runway safety areas (RSAs) at all commercial service airports. The RSA is typically 500-feet wide and extends 1,000-feet beyond each end of the runway. It provides a graded area in the event that an aircraft should overrun, undershoot, or veers off the side of the runway. Many airports were built before the current 1,000-foot RSA standard was adopted; therefore, it is not practicable to achieve the full standard RSA due to lack of available land, as is the case at Midway International Airport. Therefore, Patrick was contracted by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) to provide professional engineering services for the design of Engineered Material Arrestor Systems (EMAS) at the end of the runways at Midway. EMAS uses crushable material placed at the end of a runway to stop an aircraft that overruns the runway. The tires of the aircraft sink into the lightweight material and the aircraft is decelerated as it rolls through the material. Patrick’s knowledge of pavement design and FAA specifications and standards provided a unique design approach that allowed for uninterrupted utility services to the airport and the surrounding community, providing seamless service for the airlines and their passengers.