Aggregate Resistance to Polishing and its Relationship to Skid Resistance

Project Description

With an estimated 15 percent of more than 5 million traffic crashes each year in the United States occurring during wet conditions, accident rates can be significantly reduced with skid-resistant pavements placed in crash-prone locations. Researchers with the Texas Transportation Institute have completed a three-phase study for TxDOT that included the development of a new laboratory testing methodology that evaluates the frictional characteristics of flexible pavements, an analysis of the mechanical and physical properties of many of the aggregates used in surface mixes in Texas, and a system for predicting their skid resistance. As a result, design engineers are able to use the program to select the aggregate and mix design to ensure adequate skid resistance during the pavements? service life. Researchers recommend the collection of more data on a wider range of mixtures and aggregates to include results for all mixture types in Texas. They also recommend a study examining the relationship between accident data, skid resistance, climactic data and highway geometry.

For More Information