Citation

Gartner W. Transp. Res. Rec. 1974; 523: 15-19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1974, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Certain legal considerations, safety obligations, engineering concerns, and administrative problems are identified that must be addressed by the engineer- administrator in relation to constructing and maintaining pavements with adequate skid resistance properties and testing those skid properties. The monetary effect of claims against the state resulting from skidding accidents is of concern. This problem is further complicated by the fact that some Florida courts have recently abolished the concept of contributory negligence and replaced it with the doctrine of comparative negligence, which has complicated the state's responsibilities. The safety obligations of any state highway department include identifying high accident sites, improving maintenance, and providing a clear roadside policy. The engineer-administrator, in considering skid resistance, must be concerned with (a) testing for skid resistance, (b) various design and construction problems involved in providing a skid-resistant pavement, and (c) inability to attain or maintain skid resistance levels that are being advanced as recommended minimums in various publications. The engineer-administrator must also be concerned with the shortage of materials and the increased cost of importation, particularly in light of the energy crisis, and be aware of possible reductions in the frictional needs of traffic.

Language: en