**Briefing -- Pavement Texture (Friction and Noise)**

**Roger M. Larson, HIPT, FHWA**

**August 2, 2001**

ASTM E-1845 provides for "Calculating Pavement Macrotexture Profile
Depth" at highway speeds. This is useful for evaluating both friction
and noise. It is also being obtained at highway speeds with most
pavement management profile vans. NCHRP Synthesis 291, Evaluation of
Pavement Friction Characteristics, December 2000 and Synthesis 268,
Relationship Between Pavement Surface Texture and Highway Traffic Noise,
1998 provide a good summary of the state of the practice in this area.
In addition, Synthesis 284, Performance Survey on Open-Graded Friction
Course Mixes, 2000 discusses these mixes which reduce noise and splash
and spray during wet weather.

On October 30, 2000, FHWA (Memorandum from Tommy L. Beatty and Raymond
McCormick, INFORMATION: Portland Cement Concrete Pavement and Bridge
Deck Surface Texturing Guidelines) distributed the executive summary of
a recent Marquette University study funded by FHWA and administered by
the Wisconsin DOT. The Final Report WI/SPR-08-99, Noise and Texture on
PCC Pavements -- Results of a Multi-State Study, WI DOT, June 2000, 126
pages is available on the web at
<http://chte.marquette.edu./noise&texture/index.html> . The report
recommends a variety of surface textures that will eliminate or minimize
the annoying tire/pavement whine generated with **uniform spaced
transverse tining** which should not be used.

Based on the above research effort, FHWA is now updating the Technical
Advisory on Texturing (Friction and Noise Effects) of Concrete Pavements
and Bridge Decks. The revised draft is being reviewed by SHA's and
industry before being issued. Currently effort are underway to improve
guidance on specific spacing recommended for repeated variable (random)
transverse grooving of hardened concrete on bridge decks.

Updated information on Pavement Texture (Friction and Noise) was
distributed with Roger M. Larson's March 19, 2001 memorandum to FHWA
Field Engineers. The March 13 briefing is superseded. Updated
information on the evaluation of pavement friction characteristics is
included in Synthesis 291. In addition FHWA-RD-99-037, March 1999,
Assessment of LTPP Friction Data, summarizes the state-of-the-practice
and typical friction values on the various LTPP sections. The best
technology transfer effort in the friction area is the annual workshop
held by NASA. The 8th Annual Tire/Runway Friction Workshop was held at
the NASA Wallops Flight Facility near Chincoteague, VA on May 14-18,
2001. Information on the workshop can be obtained at
<http://smc.larc.nasa.gov/runfric> . Contact Thomas J. Yager,
757-864-1304 (phone), 757-864-8090 (fax) or by e-mail at
<t.j.yager@larc.nasa.gov> if you have additional questions. There has
also been a significant effort evaluating friction during winter
conditions on both runways and pavements. This issue was also addressed
at the workshop. Measurement procedures for profile and texture were
also addressed.

For additional information contact Roger M. Larson, Office of Pavement
Technology, at 202-366-1326 (phone), 202-493-2070 (fax) or e-mail
<Roger.Larson@fhwa.dot.gov> .