The Technology Behind Skid Resistance Testing
Measuring surface friction of pavements is essential for evaluating the safety of a pavement. To ensure public safety, it is imperative that surface friction surveys are undertaken regularly. According to a report from the FHW (USA), out of more than 25 million accidents, 19% occurred on wet pavements. The role of pavement managers is to understand, manage and assess risk, while ameliorating the risk of pavement failure, as well as accidents caused by inadequate skid resistance and other pavement-related safety risks to the public.
What is skid resistance?
Skid resistance is the friction which develops when a tyre is prevented from rotating as it slides along a pavement surface, making this the skid resistance of that pavement. Water, mud or loose detritus on the pavement surface reduces its skid resistance rating.
Surface friction properties are affected by conditions such as:
- Vehicle speed and surface texture
- Water depth and tyre characteristics
- Seasonal, regional and year-on-year variations
- Temperature
- Road geometry
- Surface contamination
- Surfacing aggregates
- Surfacing type and age (early life skid resistance)
The infographic below covers the benefits of skid resistance testing and the various technology available to test a pavement’s surface friction.
To learn more about our skid resistance services, please download our free brochure for a comprehensive guide.