Pavement Friction and Skid Resistance Measurement Methods: A Literature Review

Driving safety is of significance in the automobile industry and transportation systems. Pavement skid resistance has long been recognized as the most important parameter in reducing traffic accidents especially in wet conditions. The knowledge of the friction coefficient and skid resistance is very valuable information for safety enhancement of roads. Thus, it is important to find proper methods for measuring skid resistance and frictional properties of the pavement surface. There is a wide range of measurement methods and devices for measuring skid resistance. This paper presents a review on the research studies that have been done on characterization of the frictional properties of the pavement surface and discussed methods used for measurement and evaluation of texture characteristics and the strengths and weaknesses of these methods. Finally, some ideas have been suggested to develop new methods for better and proper measurement of skid resistance.

Determination and prediction of pavement skid resistance–connecting research and practice

Adequate pavement skid resistance is a key requirement for safe road operations.Unfortunately,the measurement and prediction of the skid resistance property of an in-service road pavement,or pavement mixture specimens in the laboratory,is a highly challenging process from both theoretical and practical points of view.For more than 60 years,owing to the lack of theoretical solutions to the complex tire-fluid-pavement interaction problem,the practice of pavement skid resistance determination and prediction has essentially been derived from experimental and field observed data.The rapid development of efficient numerical computational techniques and high-power computing facilities in the last two decades made it possible for researchers to numerically solve the tire-fluidpavement interaction problem.It enables the numerical evaluation and prediction of high-speed wet skid resistance,and the determination of the tire-pavement kinetic friction coefficient in the evaluation of low-speed skid resistance.This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the research development of theoretical mechanistic approaches in the determination and prediction of pavement skid resistance.It covers the following main aspects of the subject matter:(i)mechanisms of skid resistance generation in dry,wetted(i.e.,damp),wet and flooded pavements;(ii)theoretical evaluation of pavement skid resistance in dry,wetted,wet and flooded states;(iii)theoretical approaches in pavement skid resistance prediction;and(iv)concepts of representing the skid resistance state of pavement.The capability of finite element simulation approach for wet skid resistance evaluation with good accuracy is explained.Also highlighted is the practical significance of the Concept of Skid Resistance State.Areas of practical applications of the concept,coupled with the simulation model,are introduced.They include applications in driving safety analysis,road safety design and control,design of paving mixtures,safety maintenance and management of pavements,and harmonization of skid resistance measurements and predictions.

Study on micro-texture and skid resistance of aggregate during polishing

The skid resistance performance of pavement is closely related to the micro-texture of pavement aggregate, while there is very few research on the relationship between micro-texture and the skid resistance. In this paper, the optical microscope is used to acquire the surface morphology of three types of aggregates including basalt, limestone and red sandstone respectively, where a total of 12 indicators are developed based on the surface texture information. The polishing effect on aggregate is simulated by Wehner/Schulze （W/S） device, during the polishing procedure, the skid resistance are measured by British Pendulum Tester （BPT）. Based on the results of independent T-test and the polishing resistance analysis, it shows that the surface texture of basalt is significantly different between limestone and red sandstone. Three indicators including the average roughness （Ra）, the kurtosis of the surface （Sku） and the mean summit curvature （Ssc） are selected to describe the characteristics of aggregate micro-texture based on the correlation analysis. The contribution of micro-texture to the skid resistance can be described with the secondary polynomial regression model by these indicators.

Characterization of pavement texture by means of height difference correlation and relation to wet skid resistance

Driving safety is of utmost importance in the automobile industry and is acknowledged by the introduction of the tire wet grip index as part of the EU tire label. The rubber pavement interaction is determined by the viscoelastic properties of the rubber as well as by the pavement texture. Nowadays available optical surface profiling instruments allow for a detailed measurement of surface roughness covering several length scales. This enables the validation of a mathematical statistical description of pavement texture within the framework of self-affine surfaces and hence provides a holistic characterization of surface roughness covering several length scales within a few characteristic parameters. We deduce within this article the correlation between classical surface roughness pa- rameters and the parameter set of self-affine surfaces. These parameters allow for a detailed understanding of the relationship between pavement texture and its wet skid resistance. We present wet skid resistance measurements with the British pendulum and a linear friction tester device on different pavement textures. We demonstrate that the so- called estimated texture depth does not correlate to the surface skid resistance measured with the British pendulum. Finally, we deduce a dependency of wet skid resistance on pavement texture which is supported by current models for hysteresis friction.

Evaluation of pavement skid resistance using high speed texture measurement

Skid resistance is an important parameter for highway designs, construction, management, maintenance and safety. The purpose of this manuscript is to propose the correlation between skid resistance, which is measured as skid resistance trailer, and mean profile depth （MPD） or the macro surface texture, which is measured by vehicle mounted laser, so that highway agencies can predict the skid resistance of pavement without the use of expensive and time consuming skid resistance trailer, which also causes disruption of traffic in use. In this research skid numbers and MPD from 5 new asphalt pavements and 4 old asphalt pavements were collected using a locked wheel skid trailer and a vehicle mounted laser. Using the data collected, a correlation between the skid number （SN40R） collected by locked wheel skid tester and the texture data or MPD collected by a vehicle mounted laser operating at highway speeds was developed. The proposed correlation for new pavements was positive for MPD values less than 0.75 mm to reach a peak SN40R value, then there was a negative correlation as the MPD increases until the MPD value was equal to 1.1 mm and beyond the MPD value of 1.1 mm to the maximum value of 1.4 mm, SN40R value remained almost constant. There were significant data scatter for the MPD value of 0.8 mm. To explain these results, water film thickness during the friction test was calculated and the critical MPD was defined. The effect of sealed water pool on the SN40R was discussed. The test result showed a similar trend for older asphalt pavements, but with lower SN40R values due to the polishing of pavement micro-texture by traffic. Hence, a reduction factor was proposed for older pavements based on cumulative traffic volume for the above correlation to predict the skid resistance of older pavements.

Calculation of skid resistance from texture measurements

There is a wide range of routine skid resistance measurement devices on the market. All of them are measuring the friction force between a rubber wheel and the wetted road surface. Common to all of them is that they are relatively complex and costly because generally a truck carrying a large water tank is needed to wet the surface with a defined water layer. Because of the limited amount of water they can carry they are limited in range. Besides that the measurement is depending on factors like water film thickness, temperature, measurement speed, rubber aging, rubber wear and even road evenness and curviness. All of these factors will affect the skid resistance and are difficult to control. We present a concept of contactless skid resistance measurement which is based on optical texture measurement and consists of two components： measurement of the pavement texture by means of an optical measufin~ system and calculation of the skid resistance based on the measured texture by means of a rubber friction model. The basic assumptions underlying the theoretical approach and the model itself based on the theory of Persson are presented. The concept is applied to a laboratory device called Wehner/Schulze （W/S） machine to prove the theoretical approach. The results are very promising. A strong indication could be provided that skid resistance could be measured without contact in the future.

Correlation between morphology parameters and skid resistance of asphalt pavement

Pavement skid resistance is critical for contributing to traffic safety.In this study,two pavement specimens were fabricated using different aggregate gradations and binder contents.Compaction efforts were made to ensure the same porosity of the two specimens.Some parameters related to the surface morphology were measured using the sand patching method and a 3D laser.The parameters include mean texture depth(MTD),interface roughness(R_(a)),skewness(R_(sk)),kurtosis(R_(ku)),fractal dimension(D)and parameters related to material ratio curve.Relationships between these parameters and skid resistance were quantitatively developed.Skid resistance increased along with the increase of MTD,R_(a) and D.From the surface A to surface B,MTD increased from 0.23 to 1.10 mm,R_(a) increased from 0.93 to 1.80 mm,D increased from 2.25 to 2.43 and the British Pendulum Number increased from 80 to 97 accordingly.The comprehensive analysis could assist scholars and practitioners to facilitate the understanding of tyre-pavement interaction and further assist pavement design.

Study on the influence of skid resistance on traffic safety of highway with a high ratio of bridges and tunnels

The safety of highways with a high ratio of bridges and tunnels is related to multiple factors,for example,the skid resistance of the pavement surface.In this study,the distribution of accidents under different conditions was calculated to investigate the relationship between the road skid resistance and the incidence of traffic accidents based on the traffic accident data of the Yuxiang highway.Statistical results show that weather conditions and road alignment may affect traffic accidents.The correlation analysis method was used to study the relationship between three factors and traffic accidents.The results show that road alignment,weather conditions and road skid resistance are related to the incidence of traffic accidents.The traffic accident prediction models were established based on back propagation neural network to verify the correlation analysis results.It is confirmed that road alignment,weather conditions and road skid resistance are the factors that affect traffic accidents.

The mechanisms,evaluation and estimation of anti-skid performance of snowy and icy pavement:A review

The anti-skid performance of snowy and icy pavements is a popular research topic among road workers.Snow and ice are pollutants on a road surface.They significantly reduce the skid resistance of pavements,and thus,cause traffic accidents.Pertinent research progress on the skid resistance of snowy and icy pavements was reviewed and summarized in this work.The formation and classification of snowy and icy pavements were described on the basis of the state of snow and ice.The friction mechanisms between tires and snowy and icy pavements were revealed.Measurement methods and their applicability to the skid resistance of snowy and icy pavements were summarized.Factors that affect the skid resistance of pavements were discussed from the perspectives of pavement,environment,and vehicle.In addition,models of snowy and icy pavement resistance were classified into experience,mechanical,and numerical models.The advantages and disadvantages of these models were then compared and analyzed.Some suggestions regarding snowy and icy pavements were presented in accordance with the aforementioned information,including the development of efficient testing tools,the quantification of skid resistance under the coupling effects of multiple factors,the establishment of unified evaluation standards,and the development of more effective skid resistance models.

Design of Small Stone Asphalt Mixture based on Anti-skidding Performance

Small stone asphalt mixture（SSAM） was designed by Bailey method and coarse aggregate voids-filling method.The optimum asphalt content was determined by Marshal test.Surface texture depth for SSAM with different voidage,and the BPN of SSAM and SMA before after wet track abrasion were measured.The experimental results indicate that the surface texture depth increases with the decreasing of asphalt aggregate ratio.The SSAM with the optimal asphalt content has a good skid resistance.BPN of asphalt mixture decreases with the increasing of wearing time,but the extent of reduction is different.The reduction rate of BPN for SSAM is smaller than that of SMA,indicating that SSAM has a good skid resistance attenuation capacity.Finally,the other properties of SSAM are also evaluated,showing that the splitting strength and modulus and SSAM are higher than those of SMA,and the other properties of SSAM,such as high-temperature performance and water stability can also satisfy the technical requirements.

A state-of-the-art review of asphalt pavement surface texture and its measurement techniques

To understand the research status of asphalt pavement texture,the related achievements and progress of pavement surface texture were systematically sorted out from three aspects:the characterization of pavement surface texture,the texture measurement and evaluation,and the relationship between texture and the skid resistance.Based on the statistical geometric characteristics,the spectral characteristics,the fractal characteristics and the multifractal characteristics,the characteristics of pavement texture were discussed.The test methods of pavement texture were divided into two categories:direct measurement methods and indirect measurement methods.The advantages and disadvantages of each measurement method were summarized.The effects of macro-texture and micro-texture on asphalt pavement were discussed,respectively.The relationship between texture and skid resistance was studied.This review shows that multifractal theory should be further studied from the aspect of road engineering.High-precision non-contact integrated detection technology should be further studied to meet the needs of complex testing environments.The method of finite element numerical simulation has potential for the analysis of pavement skid resistance.In addition,methods such as big data analysis,neural network,and deep learning should be studied to achieve the intelligent perception and management of the whole state of skid resistance prediction.

STUDY ON STYRENE-BUTADIENE BLOCK COPOLYMER FOR THE MODIFICATI0N OF TIRE TREAD

This paper mainly deals with the design and synthesis of a novel styrene-butadieneblock copolymer. When this copolymer is used in the tread portion of tyres, it can improvewet skid resistance and reduce rolling resistance without sacrificing its general physical-mechanical properties. The visco-elastic curve of tire tread using the novel copolymer asits rubber portion was showed. Reactivity ratios for two monomers in the polymerizingsystem were calculated. The diagrams of differelitial, integral and finite difference calculithroughout the whole molecular chain were presented. The influence of the micro- andmacro-structure of the copolymer chain on wet skid resistance and rolling resistance wasdiscussed

Laboratory and field evaluation of asphalt pavement surface friction resistance

Pavement surface friction is a significant factor for driving safety and plays a critical role in reducing wet- pavement crashes. However, the current asphalt mixture design procedure does not directly consider friction as a requirement. The objective of this study was to develop a surface friction prediction model that can be used during a wearing course mixture design. To achieve the objective, an experimental study was conducted on the frictional characteristics of typical wearing course mixtures in Louisiana. Twelve wearing course mixtures including dense-graded and open-graded mixes with different combinations of aggregate sources were evaluated in laboratory using an accelerated polishing and testing procedure considering both micro- and macro texture properties. In addition, the surface frictional properties of asphalt mixtures were measured on twenty-two selected asphalt pavement sections using different in situ devices including Dynamic Friction Tester （DFT）, Circular Texture Meter （CTM）, and Lock-Wheel Skid Trailer （LWST）. The results have led to develop a procedure for predicting pavement end-of-life skid resistance based on the aggregate blend polish stone value, gradation parameters, and traffic, which is suited in checking whether the selected aggregates in a wearing course mix design would meet field friction requirements under a certain design traffic polishing.

Characterization of road surfacing aggregates based on their mineralogical fingerprint

To ensure the safety of infrastructure users,the long-term skid resistance is a crucial factor and is determined in large by the mineralogical and morphological characteristics of surfacing aggregate.Most studies have investigated these aggregate properties separately without considering the interrelation between one another.The objective of this study is to consider the morphological characteristics as well as the mineralogical fingerprint of aggregate to develop an innovative approach to optimize the aggregate selection process.The investigations are based on 11 different aggregate types with a broad range of mineralogy,commonly used in Germany.The long-term influence of polishing and wearing on the surface aggregate was simulated by means of the Aachen Polishing Machine and the MicroDeval test respectively.To evaluate the impact of these tests,the aggregate shape was characterized by means of an imaging system called Aggregate Image Measurement System while the skid resistance of aggregates was evaluated with the British Pendulum Test.The test results show that the quartz and calcite are the key crystals to determine the anti-wear resistance of aggregates.A correlation between the skid resistance,morphological properties and mineralogy is derived,which proves the mineralogical fingerprint technology is practical for characterization of aggregates used in pavement surface layers.