Evaluation of the Relation Between Functional Properties of Asphalt Pavements and Traffic Safety

The main objective of this paper is to analyse the relationship existing between the functional properties of asphalt pavements and traffic safety. The paper's content is based on preliminary studies about the Portuguese experience, performed for an ongoing PhD programme at the Technical University of Lisbon. Although accidents haven't a unique cause because of the many factors involved, the current diversity of materials and pavement technology, in particular relative to the wearing courses, allows a wide range of solutions to be used and once again raises the discussion on the interaction existing between pavement properties and traffic safety. These recent and innovative techniques often result in increased costs, but their competitiveness compared to traditional techniques is assured by the fact that they provide more in-depth information on the behaviour of traffic. The main conclusions of the paper are related to international and the Portuguese experience on the relationship existing between skid resistance and traffic safety (braking distance, aquaplaning and vehicles losing control). These conclusions will be useful for future research, performed on a select group of roads of the Portuguese national road network, in order to support a new methodology for the design of functional pavement wearing courses based on traffic safety criteria.

• Corporate Authors:

  International Society for Asphalt Pavements

  4711 Clark Avenue, Suite G
  White Bear Lake, MN  United States  55110
• Authors:
  • Neves, J
  • FERNANDES, A
• Conference:
  • 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ASPHALT PAVEMENTS - AUGUST 12 TO 17, 2006, QUEBEC CITY, CANADA
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: p. vol3,186-95
• Monograph Title: 10th International Conference on Asphalt Pavements - August 12 to 17, 2006, Quebec City, Canada

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conferences; Macrotexture; Microtexture; Safety; Skid resistance; Texture
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01084310
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: TAC
• Created Date: Jan 14 2008 1:51PM