RES2025-11: A Balanced Approach to Performance of OGFC
Open Graded Friction Course (OGFC) is a porous asphalt mixture placed on the roadway surface and designed to enhance user safety and convenience by improving friction, visibility, noise reduction, and rideability. One of the main benefits is water penetration through its porous structure. Water penetration reduces vehicle splash and spray during rainfall increases driver visibility and friction on the surface. Since the 1950s, several state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) have utilized Open-graded Friction Course (OGFC) pavements, known for their porous nature that allows rainwater to drain underneath, potentially reducing wet weather crashes. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has implemented OGFC on over 300 centerline miles, primarily on interstates since 2005. This initiative aims to mitigate wet-weather accidents, with observed data indicating a 32% reduction in such crashes on evaluated sections [1]. With OGFC's structural performance comparable to traditional dense graded pavements and the observed safety benefits, TDOT plans to increase the use of OGFC, reinforcing its commitment to improving roadway safety in conditions prone to wet-weather accidents.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $250000
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Contract Numbers:
RES2025-11
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Sponsor Organizations:
Tennessee Department of Transportation
James K. Polk Building
Fifth and Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN United States 37243-0349 -
Managing Organizations:
Tennessee Department of Transportation
James K. Polk Building
Fifth and Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN United States 37243-0349 -
Project Managers:
Gaw, Derek
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Performing Organizations:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Center for Transportation Research
Conference Center Building
Knoxville, TN United States 37996-4133 -
Principal Investigators:
Huang, Baoshan
- Start Date: 20240901
- Expected Completion Date: 20260831
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Pavement Technologies
- USDOT Program: Accountability
- USDOT Program: Behavioral Safety Research
- Subprogram: Highway Costs and Funding Options
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Friction course; Highway safety; Mix design; Open graded aggregates; Wet weather
- Geographic Terms: Tennessee
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01932355
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Tennessee Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: RES2025-11
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Sep 30 2024 4:29PM