SAFETY GROOVING IN LOUISIANA
Louisiana's solution to the problem of hydroplaning was to groove the pavement to produce a macrotexture capable of discharging water to neighboring voids and thus reduce the hydrodynamic forces. Specifications adopted in Louisiana called for the grooving blades to be 0.095 inches wide + or - 0.003, and spaced at 3/4 inch. The equipment included blades driven by a 270 h.p. diesel engine while a tractor provides the push. A large tank truck is pulled behind the groover and receives the water and concrete residue which is vacuumed up from the pavement. A couple of properly placed hinges allow the tractor and the bank of blades to operate independently thus permitting the blades to conform to a certain amount of pavement irregularities. The grooving projects are being evaluated in 2 areas: accident rate reduction; observation of the grooved surface. The Louisiana grooving specifications are detailed.
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Corporate Authors:
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Swertfager, W E
- Publication Date: 1976-4
Media Info
- Pagination: p. 22-28
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Serial:
- Highway Focus
- Volume: 8
- Issue Number: 2
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Highway safety; Hydroplaning; Pavement grooving; Pavements; Pavers; Paving; Prevention; Safety; Skid resistance; Skidding; Specifications; Surface course (Pavements); Texture
- Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00149790
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Aug 31 1977 12:00AM