Evaluation of pavement surface texture significance and measurement techniques

Abstract

It is generally agreed that the skid resistance of a pavement is controlled by the surface texture characteristics. Therefore, by measuring the relevant parameters describing texture, or by measuring a physical process dependent on texture, regression techniques can be used to relate skid resistance to the chosen texture parameter or process. Two scales of texture are of particular importance: microtexture (small-scale asperities) and macrotexture (largescale asperities). In this paper work performed at the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute at the Pennsylvania State University is described and is given in two parts: (1) a review of candidate macrotexture and microtexture measurement methods that can be made at highway speeds (at or above 65 km h −1), which are presently used or have potential for use in pavement texture research, with a recommendation of the more promising methods for further development, and (2) a summary of the effects of pavement surface texture on skid resistance.