PAVEMENT MACROTEXTURE REVIEW

This pavement macrotexture review is for highway engineers and administrators concerned with the improvement of pavement surface texture as a countermeasure for skidding accidents. A summary is presented of the fundamentals of tire-pavement skid resistance and the importance of pavement surface texture in reducing skidding accidents. This includes a discussion of the skid number and skid number-speed gradient and of the role of pavement surface microtexture and macrotexture in skid resistance. The most commonly used methods of measuring pavement macrotexture are described, and ways of achieving high macrotexture in new pavements and of restoring high macrotexture in existing pavements are given. Higher macrotexture in new pavements can be obtained using open-graded asphalt surface courses and texturing of portland cement concrete surfaces; higher macrotexture in existing surfaces is achieved from open-graded asphalt overlays, pavement grooving, cold milling, and seal coats. The cost-effectiveness considerations in selecting high macrotexture pavement surfaces are also discussed. (FHWA)

• Corporate Authors:

  Midwest Research Institute

  425 Volker Boulevard
  Kansas City, MO  United States  64110-2299

  Federal Highway Administration

  Office of Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Harwood, D W
  • Blackburn, R R
  • Heenan, P J
• Publication Date: 1980-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Macrotexture; Microtexture; Open graded aggregates; Pavement grooving; Pavements; Portland cement concrete; Rolling contact; Seal coats; Skid resistance; Surface course (Pavements); Texture
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00341002
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-80-505 Final Rpt., 3824-D, FCP 31H5-253
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-8120
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 28 1981 12:00AM