Comparative Analysis of Skid Resistance for Different Roadway Surface Treatments

Abstract

Pavement skid resistance impacts road functionality and can affect user safety and vehicle operation costs. This study was an investigation of the effect of sealcoats on skid resistance. Seven different sealcoats-fog seal, chip seal, slurry seal, sand seal, high-friction seal, cape seal, and glass seal-were lab and field tested. Laboratory samples were further tested in the field on pavement sections. To validate lab and field tests, high-friction seal was tested on recently placed pavement sections in Anchorage, Alaska. The British Pendulum tester was used to measure sealcoat skid resistance. A minimum of 40 randomized readings from the lab and field were sorted. Statistical analysis of lab and field data showed insignificant differences between all sealcoat types with the exception of cape seal. The mean skid resistance of sealcoats indicated a preference for highfriction and glass seals. On average, high-friction and glass seals had skid numbers close to 40, providing effective skid resistance as well as safer riding quality. The field and lab data of high-friction sealcoat were validated on recently paved roads in Anchorage. The results highlighted the consistency of skid resistance measurements for the three types of testing conditions (lab, field, and real roadway) for high-friction sealcoat.

Evaluation of bio-based fog seal for low-volume road preservation

“…After several months (between July 2016 and May 2017), the skid resistance was restored to its original condition of 66 (Table 5). Decreased surface friction because of the use of fog sealants has been reported in several studies [33][34][35], suggesting that filling in the pavement surface texture by fog sealant was the primary reason reducing the skid resistance. With continuous tire wear, the fog sealants were worn away from the surface, resulting in restoration in friction [36].…”

Progress and Monitoring Opportunities of Skid Resistance in Road Transport: A Critical Review and Road Sensors

“…Wind speed can also be a factor that influences the coating of the surface pavement due to wet weather conditions or de-icing effects during extreme weather conditions in winter. A light wind/breeze may support the evaporation process of the existing moisture (or the solvent from cutbacks) on the road surface pavement [57]. In addition, in some zones, wind speed or storms can have a detrimental effect on skid-resistance due to the carrying of dust, or some random distribution of dust and other organic materials, on the surface pavement.…”

“…Seal coats are one of the major techniques that is usually applied to ensure the flexibility of road pavement preservation, and this technique could provide waterproofing, delays in aging, and enhancement of skid resistance. Wind speed may affect the functionality of the seal coat on the road pavement due to the dust, and other materials can have an impact during storms [57,58]. Wind observation increases the chances of reliable seal coat placement on road pavements.…”

Investigating The Impact of Roadway Characteristics on Intersection Crash Severity

“…Wet pavement crashes are typically linked to poor skid resistance, since wet pavement surfaces can substantially reduce the frictional force. Insufficient friction levels may lead to a similar issue on dry pavement surfaces [14,15]. The State of Wyoming has one of the highest snowfall rates in the United States.…”