High Friction Surfaces (HFS) are applied to increase friction capacity on critical roadway sections, such as horizontal curves. HFS friction deterioration on these sections is a safety concern. This study deals with characterization of the aggregate loss, one of the main failure mechanisms of HFS, using texture parameters to study its relationship with friction. Tests are conducted on selected HFS spots with different aggregate loss severity levels at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) Test Track. Friction tests are performed using a Dynamic Friction Tester (DFT). The surface texture is measured by means of a high-resolution 3D pavement scanning system (0.025 mm vertical resolution). Texture data are processed and analyzed by means of the MountainsMap software. The correlations between the DFT friction coefficient and the texture parameters confirm the impact of change in aggregates’ characteristics (including height, shape, and material volume) on friction. A novel approach to detect the HFS friction coefficient transition based on aggregate loss, inspired by previous works on the tribology of coatings, is proposed. Using the proposed approach, preliminary outcomes show it is possible to observe the rapid friction coefficient transition, similar to observations at NCAT. Perspectives for future research are presented and discussed.

High friction surface treatment (HFST) is used to improve friction on curved roadways, especially on curves that have a history of wet pavement crashes. Observations on the long-term performance monitoring of HFST sections at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) Test Track showed friction (skid number, SN) dropped significantly at the end of service life of HFST, creating unsafe driving conditions. There is no clear, observed friction deterioration trend to predict the friction drop when using friction performance measures like SN. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore and develop supplementary HFST safety performance measures (such as aggregate loss) that can correlate to friction deterioration and provide predictable, cost-effective, and easily measurable results. The objectives of this paper are to (i) analyze the correlation between HFST aggregate loss percentage area and friction value using a dynamic friction tester (DFT), and (ii) study the characteristics of HFST deterioration associated with aggregate loss, at the NCAT Test Track and at selected HFST curve sites in Georgia (using 2D imaging and high-resolution 3D laser scanning). Results show a strong correlation between HFST aggregate loss percentage area and DFT friction coefficient. Where friction measurement is used as the primary safety performance measure, it is recommended that HFST aggregate loss be used as a supplementary performance measure for monitoring the HFST safety performance deterioration. Aggregate loss can be easily identified by characteristics such as color and texture change. Preliminary texture analyses of 3D HFST surface profiles show lower mean profile depth (MPD) and ridge-to-valley depth (RVD) texture indicators can also identify loss of aggregate spots on HFST surface.

High-friction surface treatments (HFSTs) are increasingly being applied at critical roadway locations (such as horizontal curves) that have high friction demand and a history of wet crashes; well-constructed HFST on sound underlying pavements has generally provided durable high friction. However, HFST friction loss because of aggregate loss or other distresses is a serious safety concern. HFST installation and management, especially its safe application and operation, involves different life-cycle activities (site selection and planning, construction, performance monitoring, maintenance, and replacement). These life-cycle activities involve complex and challenging technical components (including site selection criteria, construction quality control, performance measures, maintenance trigger criteria, etc.). To effectively manage the complex and challenging components of HFST and to mitigate safety concerns, this paper (a) studied the current challenges and identified the technical and management needs for safely managing HFST pavements based on a literature review, a national survey, and interviews with experts, (b) developed a comprehensive technical and managerial integrated framework to manage network-level safety throughout HFST’s life-cycle activities by synthesizing the core contents of the identified needs, and (c) proposed a roadmap containing research, development, and deployment actions needed for enhancing HFST management practices. The developed comprehensive framework enables researchers and Departments of Transportation to holistically see the different components of HFST life-cycle activities so that HFST can be managed systematically and cost-effectively while ensuring safety. This framework can also be used as a checklist of items for transportation agencies to follow to ensure high-quality and effective HFST installation and management.

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