Citation

Smith HA. Transp. Res. Rec. 1977; 622: 51-59.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reviews the state of the art in the United States of the contributions of pavement surface characteristics to the reduction of wet-weather skidding accidents. Although primary emphasis is on road and street pavements, the surface characteristics and wet-weather performance of airfield pavements are also discussed. With regard to roadway pavements, the scope of the paper includes surface characteristics needs in relation to geometrics and traffic, types of surfaces currently being used, and methods for measuring surface characteristics. Current practices and research findings that are considered suitable for implementation are covered. Skid resistance, described as the skid number (SN) measured in accordance with ASTM Method E-274, is the most generally used method to characterize roadway pavements. Texture and surface drainage are becoming increasingly recognized as characteristics to be considered. The method of skid-resistance measurement in widest use in the U.S. uses properly calibrated locked-wheel skid trailers conforming to ASTM Method E-274. No nationally accepted pavement surface characteristics requirements have been established. A SN of 37 measured at 65 km/hr (40 mph) is the most generally recognized surface requirement for main rural highways with a mean traffic speed of 80 km/hr (50 mph).