Developing a design policy to improve pavement surface characteristics

The frictional properties of pavement surfaces play an important role in highway safety. Pavement surfaces must ensure an adequate level of friction at the tire pavement interface to provide safe operation of vehicles. The Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA) routinely measures friction on State highways to assist with decision making associated with road maintenance management and to monitor network health against road condition targets detailed in the system preservation report published annually. The MDSHA uses the friction tester to monitor the micro-texture of the pavement aggregate during the service life of the pavement surface. Micro-texture is a measure of the degree of polishing of a road aggregate and is the main factor in determining the peak level of dry and wet friction provided by a pavement surface. Initial analysis of past friction information indicates a relationship between geometry, average annual daily traffic, polish stone value and friction number. The MDSHA is attempting to better understand surface frictional requirements at approach to pedestrian crossing, traffic lights, etc during wet weather and to establish minimum friction levels for different types of roadways based on accident data. This paper describes the MDSHA process in developing a design policy to improve pavement surface friction.

• Authors:
  • Chelliah, T
  • Stephanos, P
  • Smith, T
  • Kochen, B
• Conference:
  • Pavement Evaluation Conference, 2002, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
• Publication Date: 2002

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 19p
• Monograph Title: Comparison of non-destructive testing devices to determine in situ properties of asphalt concrete pavement layers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregates; Friction; Geometric design; Pavement design; Policy; Rolling contact; Surface course (Pavements); Traffic flow; Transportation departments
• ATRI Terms: Aggregate; Friction; Geometric design; Pavement design; Policy; Road authority; Road surface properties; Traffic flow; Vehicle pavement interaction
• ITRD Terms: 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Policy;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01443218
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 25 2012 1:10AM