Evaluation of Pavement Surface Micro- and Macro-Texture

The effect of the aggregate texture (micro-texture) and the effect of the texture of compacted hot mix asphalt (macro-texture) on the skid resistance of the highway surface are well recognized. However, there is a lack of a fundamental understanding of the individual effect that each of these two properties, micro- and macro-texture, have on the final skid properties of the road. Most research studies in this regard have been based on theory, assumptions and sound engineering judgment. However, their individual effects have not been quantified and their contribution to skid under different conditions of moisture, speed and highway conditions are not well understood. Recent developments in optics and computers have allowed the development of equipment for the collection of high definition three dimensional (3-D) images of the surface of the highway pavement. This technology was originally applied to detect surface distresses such as cracking and rutting. However, due to recent technological advances, it is now possible to quantify micro-and macro-texture in the field in and effective and efficient manner. This has opened the possibility to investigate and quantify the individual influence that micro and macro-texture have in the final coefficient of friction of the pavement surface and on its skid resistance properties. The characterization of the full texture spectrum of the pavement surface has the potential to identify optimal combinations of aggregate types (based on mineralogy, texture, surface hardness and durability) and hot-mix asphalt type (dense, gap-graded or open-graded mixtures) that can provide the highest skid resistance under dry and wet-weather conditions. Implementation of the results of this research has the potential to significantly affect highway safety by reducing the number of crashes and in particular, the number of wet-weather accidents. During this study, the 3-D laser technology will be utilized to quantify the micro-texture and macro-texture of different pavement surfaces and determine their skid characteristics. Through posterior panel data analyses of the information, the relative contribution of micro- and macro-texture to skid resistance in the field will be investigated and the guidelines for aggregate and mix selection for improved long-term skid will be developed.

• Record URL:
  http://www.chpp.egr.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/UTC-Project-InformationForm_UTA1.pdf
• 

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $241554.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT13-G-UTC44

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Department of Transportation

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
  1 University Station
  Austin, TX  United States  78712-0278
• Principal Investigators:

  Prozzi, Jorge

• Start Date: 20140515
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20160514
• Source Data: RiP Project 37474

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Crashes; Hot mix asphalt; Macrotexture; Microtexture; Pavement distress; Rutting; Skid resistance; Wet weather
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01543147
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Pavement Preservation
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC44
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Nov 9 2014 1:00AM