Optimized Friction Treatment Strategies

Available pavement friction is governed by the surface’s microtexture and macrotexture. When friction is insufficient, it indicates a deficiency in one or both. Addressing this deficiency requires identifying the root cause and selecting an effective treatment based on surface material, traffic needs, and operational constraints. Friction demand varies by location and depends on vehicle speed, traffic volume, geometrics, and facility type. If friction supply falls below friction demand, roadway safety is compromised, requiring timely mitigation strategies. While several studies have linked pavement friction to traffic safety, existing findings are often site-specific and do not provide a decision framework for selecting optimal treatments. The objective of this research is to develop decision support tools and processes to identify the cause(s) of friction deficiency and determine the most appropriate and cost-effective treatment strategy for restoring sufficient friction, considering location-specific constraints and performance needs.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5855
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $500,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 10-149

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Khosravifar, Sadaf

• Start Date: 20250526
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Decision support systems; Friction; Pavement condition; Surface treating
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01956431
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 10-149
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 27 2025 9:08PM