Citation

Reddy V, Datta T, Savolainen PT, Pinapaka S. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2009; 19(5): 53-57.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article reports on a study of the effectiveness of high friction surface treatment (tradename Tyregrip) to reduce the potential for runoff-road crashes. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) installed the Tyregrip high friction surfacing systems along a 300-foot section of the on-ramp to northbound I-75 from eastbound Royal Palm Boulevard in the city of Weston (Broward County), Florida. The Tyregrip surfacing system consists of a highly-modified exothermic epoxy resin two-part binder usually top dressed with a calcined bauxite with a polished stone value (PSV) of 70%. This system has long-lasting durability and skid resistance properties on both wet and dry pavement conditions. The authors discuss measurements of crash frequency, vehicle speeds, shoulder encroachments, data on the friction factor, tests for variability, and tests for differences in the mean speeds. Travel speeds were found to decrease after the application of the Tyregrip (an average of 3.72 mph under dry pavement conditions and 2.62 mph under wet pavement conditions). The proportion of vehicles encroaching onto the shoulder was found to decrease substantially under wet pavement conditions after the installation of the Typegrip treatment. The authors conclude that the use of Tyregrip may be a practical countermeasure for improving safety at locations that are prone to run-off-road crashes, particularly sharp curves and entry/exit ramps.