Developing a Friction Performance Index for Asphalt Concrete Mixtures to Promote Safety, Sustainability and Longevity

As state departments of transportation (DOTs) increasingly adopt performance-related or balanced mixture design (BMD) methodologies, asphalt mixtures are undergoing significant changes in composition. These changes include the use of finer aggregate gradations, higher binder contents, binder modifiers, and greater inclusion of recycled materials. While these innovations aim to improve structural durability and sustainability, they also introduce the risk of reduced surface texture and friction performance—critical factors for road safety. Currently, there is no standardized methodology that enables DOTs to assess and ensure that asphalt mixtures deliver adequate friction performance at both the design and production stages. Without such a methodology, mixtures could inadvertently lead to pavements with low friction, increasing the risk of wet-weather crashes and other safety hazards. The objective of this research is to develop a practical and implementable methodology to assess the functional performance of asphalt concrete mixtures with respect to friction and macrotexture. This methodology should be applicable during the mix design, construction, and quality assurance processes.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5849
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $650,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 09-74

• 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: Asphalt concrete; Asphalt mixtures; Friction; Macrotexture; Mix design; Performance measurement; Quality assurance
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01955923
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 09-74
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 26 2025 9:44PM