Which factor is crucial in determining the weight limits for vehicles on airport pavements?

The strength and design of the pavement are the key factors in determining weight limits for vehicles on airport pavements. This is because each pavement type is engineered to withstand a specific amount of load based on its materials, structural design, and construction quality.

For instance, airport pavements are designed differently depending on the expected traffic, which includes the weight and frequency of heavy aircraft. Understanding the pavement's load-bearing capacity ensures that vehicles do not exceed these limits, which could lead to structural damage and safety hazards.

While the type of vehicle can influence how weight is distributed across the pavement, it does not solely dictate what the pavement can handle. Weather conditions, although impactful in areas like pavement traction and surface conditions, do not fundamentally affect the structural integrity of the pavement in relation to weight limits. Similarly, the size of the cargo might dictate how a vehicle operates but does not provide information about how much weight the pavement can support at any point in time.