Abstract

Frequent measurements of skid resistance were made on 20 pavements in common use in Kentucky. Tests were conducted from November 1969 through 1973. Principal analysis involved relating changes in skid resistance to day of the year and relating skid resistance to temperature at the time of test, to average antecedent temperatures, and to average rainfall.

Seasonal variations exhibited an annual sinusoidal cycle. The changes in sand-asphalt and bituminous concrete surfaces under higher volumes of traffic were about 12 skid numbers. The changes in portland cement concrete and bituminous concrete under lower volumes of traffic were about 5 skid numbers. The lowest skid numbers (SN's) occurred in early to mid-August for portland cement concrete and sand-asphalt pavements and in late August to early September for bituminous concrete. Correlations between changes in SN and temperature were best for ambient air temperature averaged over 4- and 8-week periods prior to date of test. However, correlations between changes in SN and temperature were not as good as correlations between SN and day of the year. On the other hand, combining traffic volumes in the form of deviations from yearly average daily traffic with temperature yielded correlations with SN's which were as good as correlations between SN's and the day of the year.

It was concluded that skid resistance measurements in Kentucky should be conducted between the first of July and the middle of November to be assured of detecting significant differences in SN. However, frequent testing of reference sections is recommended to define more specifically each year the beginning and ending date of the testing season.

Report Date

11-1-1979

Report Number

No. 532

Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1979.532

Notes

Offered for publication by the Transportation Research Board.

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