Development of a Pavement Friction Management Program

Hu, Run; Santos Maia, Renan; Asadi, Babak; Hajj, Ramez; Ouyang, Yanfeng; Tobias, Priscilla; Wang, Hao

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/133275 Copy

Description

Title

Development of a Pavement Friction Management Program

Author(s)

• Hu, Run
• Santos Maia, Renan
• Asadi, Babak
• Hajj, Ramez
• Ouyang, Yanfeng
• Tobias, Priscilla
• Wang, Hao

Issue Date

2026-05

Keyword(s)

• Pavement Friction
• Traffic Safety
• Safety Performance Functions
• Crash Modification Factors
• Pavement Management
• Preservation Treatment
• Decision Trees
• Aggregate
• Network Screening

Date of Ingest

2026-05-14T15:52:22-05:00

Abstract

This project aims to develop a comprehensive framework for statewide pavement friction management and safety-oriented decision-making for IDOT. The project was structured into several key tasks. First, a literature review was conducted to synthesize existing research on pavement friction measurement, friction-crash relationships, investigatory levels, and friction-based treatment strategies. Second, a survey and an assessment of current agency practices were carried out to understand how friction data are collected, processed, and incorporated into project selection and maintenance decisions across peer states. Third, statewide friction data were compiled, cleaned, and spatially integrated into databases for roadway and intersection peer groups to evaluate friction coverage, measurement density, and variation across facility types. Fourth, safety performance functions were developed with explicit consideration of pavement friction and other roadway and intersection characteristics to support risk-based safety evaluation. In parallel, a new life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) framework was established to integrate friction and other pavement surface condition measures (such as the IDOT Condition Rating Survey) into a unified treatment selection model, explicitly accounting for pavement deterioration, treatment effectiveness, and traffic loading. This LCCA framework was further extended to network-level site screening and prioritization through a decision-tree-based approach. In addition, IDOT-specific aggregate policy was assessed with an emphasis on incorporating friction performance into mixture design considerations. Digital image processing techniques, including the Aggregate Imaging Measurement System, have been previously applied to characterize the angularity and surface texture of Illinois aggregates and their degradation under simulated polishing. Morphological indices derived from these prior investigations were compiled and used as inputs for friction prediction modeling, supporting a more proactive, material-level approach to pavement safety performance. The tasks’ outcomes were synthesized into a schematic design of the Illinois friction management system. Finally, educational materials were developed to support statewide training on fundamental pavement friction management concepts. Overall, the project establishes a practical, data-driven foundation for integrating friction performance into safety analysis, material selection, and maintenance planning.

Publisher

Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation

Has Part

ISSN: 0197-9191

Series/Report Name or Number

FHWA-ICT-26-006

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

technical report

Language

eng

DOI

https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/26-006

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

IDOT-R27-264

Copyright and License Information

No restrictions. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

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