The Relationship Between Friction and the Areal Texture of Aggregate Particles Used in the Road Surface Course

Adequate road surface friction is essential for the prevention of skidding accidents. In order to maintain a safe and serviceable road network, many countries routinely monitor friction by direct measurement with a sliding tyre. Better methods for characterising the features of the road surface topography that are related to friction could lead, through more efficient monitoring and specification, to improved road safety. A robust methodology has been developed for inspection of the changing surface topography of road stones as they undergo simulated traffic polishing. Areal measurement and characterisation of surface texture are likely to be essential for understanding complicated road/tyre interactions.