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                        Pavement Friction


            
            In This Section
        Pavement Friction
                Friction Management
                Continuous Pavement Friction Measurement (CPFM)
                Traditional Friction Treatments
                High Friction Surface Treatment
                Case Studies and Noteworthy Practices
                FAQs, Links, and Other Resources
      
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                Pavement Friction FAQs, Links, and Other Resources
    

    
    
          General Pavement Friction Resources

Fact Sheets

Pavement Friction Fact Sheet

			This fact sheet gives a brief introduction to the importance of pavement friction and its effect on safety.Enhanced Delineation and Friction for Horizontal Curves

			This fact sheet introduces several horizontal curve treatments for reducing crashes, including improving pavement friction.Guidance

FHWA's Pavement Friction Management Technical Advisory

			This technical advisory (T5040.38) issues guidance to State and local highway agencies in management of pavement surface friction on roadways.FHWA's Guidance Memorandum on Promoting the Implementation of Proven Safety Countermeasures (2017)

			This guidance provides a revised list of research-proven countermeasures that supersedes the 2017 guidance.NCHPR Web-Only Document 108: Guide for Pavement Friction

			This comprehensive guideline focuses on techniques for monitoring friction and crashes and determining the need for remedial action, as well as identifying combinations of aggregate (micro-texture) and mix types/surface texturing methods (macro-texture) that satisfy friction design requirements.NCHRP Synthesis 291: Evaluation of Pavement Friction Characteristics

			This report describes practices for evaluating pavement friction characteristics through a synthesis of practices from the U.S., Canadian, and international transportation agencies.

High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

ATSSA HFST FAQs

			The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) has developed a number of videos with experts answering questions about HFST.High Friction Surface Treatment 101

			These FAQs provide a list of basic questions and answers about HFST and is located on the High Friction Roads website.FHWA High Friction Surface Treatment FAQs

			These FAQs cover questions related to HFST safety, maintenance and operations, cost, environmental impacts, site conditions, material specifications/durability, lessons learned, and installation.Safety Analysis Opportunities Using Pavement Surface Characterization Based on 3D Laser Imaging

			This research project serves to demonstrate the use of state-of-the-art 3-D Ultra Laser imaging data collection methodology with integrated data platform, higher data resolution, full-width pavement coverage, less interruption to traffic, and more robust software solutions will result in a more efficient and cost-effective data collection process, and may potentially lead to new measurement standards that will improve pavement safety evaluation as pavement surface properties play critical roles in maintaining proper interaction between tire and pavement, and necessary drainage runoff for both pavement and safety management. Specifically, three applications based on 3D Ultra have been investigated in this study for various aspects of pavement surface safety analysis:

			Effectiveness and performance of High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) at a national scale,
				Investigation of geometric texture indicators for pavement safety with 1mm 3D data,
				Evaluation of pavement surface hydroplaning with 1mm 3D data.Specifications

ATSSA State HFST Specifications

			These specifications are maintained by the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA).Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing, 35th Edition and AASHTO Provisional Standards, 2015 Edition

			These specifications include AASHTO Provisional High Friction Surfaces Standard Specifications.Northeast Pavement Preservation Specifications
			States in the Northeast Pavement Preservation Partnership (NEPPP) have made available their pavement preservation specifications arranged within folders of treatment categories. These folders contain one or more files containing the actual specifications for each treatment. (The first two characters of each file name indicate the state.)Other Resources

Crash Modification Factors for High-Friction Surface Treatment in Pennsylvania – Final Report

			The report documents the process by Penn State University in conjunction with Penn DOT to develop a suite of crash modification factors (CMFs) to quantify the safety impacts of installing high-friction surface treatments (HFSTs) on horizontal curves and intersections.  The analysis found that HFST was associated with a statistically significant reduction in crash frequency of between 30% and 76% for all crash types considered. At intersections, HFST was associated with a statistically significant reduction in crash frequency of between 66% and 76%. The results are in line with engineering expectation and previous study by FHWA, as HFST provides additional friction on the roadway surface that can help drivers maintain control.HFST Curve Selection and Installation Guide

			This guide provides a procedure for selecting candidate curves for high friction surface treatment. It also covers HFST aggregates, binders, installation methods, cost, life cycle, and funding.HFST Video: Overview (6:04)

			This video provides a *brief* overview of the benefits on HFST and its technology, including application process, as well as some examples of where the tool has been used.HFST Video: Full Video (20:55)

			This video provides an *extended* overview of the benefits on HFST and its technology, including application process, as well as some examples of where the tool has been used.PennDOT HFST Video (2:55)

			The video illustrates how PennDOT, through the State Transportation Innovation Council, promotes the deployment of HFST by hosting a local government Demonstration Open House and filmed a video to convey the benefits.KYTC Calcined Bauxite Video (4:09)

			This video illustrates the Refractory process of Calcined Bauxite and provides a brief overview on the innovative technology of HFST and how it can save lives.HFST Video: FHWA & Oklahoma DOT HFST Pilot Project (7:25)

			This video demonstrates the HFST application under a pilot program where ODOT and FHWA partnered.National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) HFST Alternative Aggregates Study

			This research study examines the pavement surface friction performance of seven alternative aggregate sources to determine if they provided similar performance to calcined bauxite as a high friction surface treatment (HFST).Developing Crash-Modification Factors for High-Friction Surface Treatments

			This research study is currently underway. When finished, it will provide additional HFST crash reduction analysis with below:

			The "Developing Crash-Modification Factors for High-Friction Surface Treatments" study is completed, and published. This study was conducted by Safety Research and Development at TFHRC in cooperation with FHWA Resource Center, and Office of Safety. This product develops CMFs for HFST using field collected friction data from previously installed HFST locations as well as controlled sites across several states. The Technical report and the reference guide are available as shown below.

			Technical Report: Developing Crash-Modification Factors for High-Friction Surface Treatments [PDF]
				Developing Crash-Modification Factors for High-Friction Surface Treatments, *Reference Guide* [PDF]ATSSA High Friction Surfacing Website

			This website includes case studies, FAQs, videos, specifications, research, and news and publications related to high friction surface treatments.High Friction Roads

			This website provides fundamental information about high friction surface materials and specific information about demonstration projects.Every Day Counts 2012 HFST Website

			This website provides fact sheets, case studies, FAQs, videos, photos, publications, and contacts for high friction surface treatments.Alternative Aggregates and Materials for High Friction Surface Treatments Study
			This research study examines performance of alternative aggregates and materials for high friction surface treatments with a focus on applications in the State of Florida.Recommendation Report for High Friction surface Treatments – Candidate Sites, Materials, and Construction.

			This report provides a set of recommendations on the identification of candidate sites, materials selection and proper construction practices for High Friction Surface Treatments.High Friction Surface Treatment — Site Selection and Installation Guide

			This Guide provides an update to the 2016 High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) Curve Selection and Installation Guide based on current practices for HFST deployment. This Guide also discusses HFST for ramps, intersections, and other applications, and summarizes best practices agencies have used for installing HFST. Other key additions include updated recommendations on practices for HFST applications, site selection, installation, and performance monitoring. This Guide also includes a stand-alone inspection guide that agencies can use to establish inspection protocols for HFST installation.
              
      
    
          Last updated: Monday, February 26, 2024 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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