Pedestrian Gait Research Articles

Development of coefficient of friction measurement methods by consensus-standards-making organizations

For more than three decades manufacturers of products directly related to pedestrian walkway travel have been associated with the development and utilization of testing methods for the measurement of the coefficient of friction (COF) promulgated by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Neither research nor statistical information is available to relate a specific walkway surface COF necessary for a particular safe pedestrian gait. Standardization of test methods for COF measurements under both laboratory and field conditions is a prerequisite for the determination of the relationship between COF and pedestrian gait. Standardized measurement methods must be established before COF levels are included as a part of safety standards. Standardized test methods routinely utilized by industry can serve pedestrian surface and accident causation research. Utilization of industry standard test methods in pedestrian surface research can result in industry benefits and improvements in the standard test methods.