Predicting Field Performance of Skid Resistance of Asphalt Concrete Pavement

Long-term abrasion due to traveling vehicle occurring on the asphalt concrete pavement can reduce the friction which, in turn, can increase the risk of a highway accident. This work presents a predictive degradation model of skid resistance for in-service asphalt pavement surface based on laboratory polishing test results using the commercial grade asphalt polishing machine, characteristics of aggregate gradation curve, and field traffic conditions represented by average daily traffic. A nonlinear convex power function is used to form the prediction formula, within which two parameters - named "time index" and "scale index" - are assumed to have a first-order relationship with all predictors. Validation of the developed prediction models is presented by comparisons between the predicted values and field-measured values for five pavement sections from the Ohio highway system. The prediction results show a good consistency between field observations and model response values. Using the predictive model and assuming that abrasion and polishing are the controlling processes in pavement functionalities and performance, then the life prediction of an asphalt concrete pavement can be determined.