Applying water blasting treatment policy aimed at reducing first rain skidding accidents: the Israeli experience

The issue of skid resistance in Israel is influenced by the country's unusual climatic conditions, characterised by a long, dry season with zero precipitation, followed by about four months of a rainy season. These conditions aggravate the problem of the "First Rain Skidding Accidents" (FRSA). This problem is manifested by a higher risk of skidding accidents, occurring during and just after the first rain, following a dry period. This risk results from the slippery surface formed by a mixture of contaminants accumulated during the dry season, with rainwater. The maintenance policy, applied in Israel to alleviate FRSA risk, includes contaminant removal waterblasting (CRW) treatments at chosen sites. Those treatments are carried out during the end of the summer, in order to remove the accumulated contaminants, prior to the expected occurrence of the first rain. This paper presents research efforts, initiated by the INRC, aimed at evaluating various aspects of this policy including: a literature survey, field studies of the effectiveness and life expectancy of CRW, a comparison of skid resistance values derived from CRW vs. those derived following the first rain, an examination of the selection criteria of road sections intended for treatment and effectiveness of quality control procedures applied during CRW treatment.

• Record URL:
  http://saferroadsconference.com/conference-papers-2011/
• Authors:
  • Yaron, R
  • Cotrus, A
  • Weinstein, N
• Conference:
  • International Surface Friction Conference, 3rd, 2011
  • Location: Gold Coast Queensland, Australia
  • Date: 2011-5-15 to 2011-5-18
• Publication Date: 2011-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 15p
• Monograph Title: 3rd International Road Surface Friction Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, 15-18 May 2011

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cleaning; Seasons; Skidding; Surfaces
• Uncontrolled Terms: Accident countermeasure; Road design and asset management; Road management; Road networks; Road surface properties
• Geographic Terms: Israel
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 5925: Properties; 3015: Wet road
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01344017
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ARRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 13 2011 11:51AM