EFFECT OF VEHICLE PARAMETERS ON THE FRICTION COEFFICIENTS MEASURED BY DECELEROMETERS ON WINTER SURFACES

A field test program was undertaken to obtain data to investigate the factors affecting the friction coefficients recorded by decelerometer systems commonly used for friction measurement at airport runways. Data were obtained to evaluate the effect of vehicle type, vehicle parameters (Antilock Braking System (ABS) on or off, weight distribution), decelerometer type (ERD Mk II, ERD Mk III, Tapley and Bowmonk), and runway surface condition. A total of 76 tests were conducted over a three-day period. Results showed that the ERD Mk II and Mk III decelerometers recorded equivalent friction coefficients to all practical purposes. The Tapley and the Bowmonk decelerometers recorded friction coefficients that were consistently higher than the ERD Mk II or ERD Mk III decelerometers. These variations are similar to those of previous comparative tests and may be due to the fact that the Tapley and the Bowmonk are peak-measuring devices whereas the ERDs are averaging devices. Results also showed that friction values were affected by the vehicle type. The effect of vehicle type varies with the friction level and the decelerometer type. The decelerometer readings were also found to change depending on whether the vehicle was operated with ABS on or ABS disabled. The observed variation depended on surface condition. Finally, the friction coefficient recorded with the half-ton pickup truck in a 50:50 weight balance (front:rear) was about 0.02 lower than for the as-is weight distribution (which was about 60:40 front:rear). The observed variation in friction coefficient could be due to the difference in total weight for the 50:50 and the as-is cases since the weight was increased for the 50:50 case.

• Record URL:
  http://data.tc.gc.ca/archive/eng/innovation/tdc-summary-13900-13980e-744.htm
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research cosponsored by the Aerodrome Safety Branch of Transport Canada.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transport Canada

  Transportation Development Centre, 800 Rene-Levesque Boulevard West, Suite 600
  Montreal, Quebec  Canada  H3B 2X1

  BMT Fleet Technology, Limited

  311 Legget Drive
  Kanata, Ontario  Canada  K2K 1Z8
• Authors:
  • Comfort, G
  • Ryan, M
• Publication Date: 2002-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 116 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport runways; Antilock brake systems; Coefficient of friction; Field tests; Icing; Pavements; Pickup trucks; Snow; Vehicle weight; Winter
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decelerometers; Weight distribution
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Pavements; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00941175
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TP 13980E,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: T8200-011509/001/MTB
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 12 2003 12:00AM