HIGHWAY & TRAFFIC ENGINEERING LABORATORY JOURNAL

ROAD SKID RESISTANCE

Muhammad Farhan Bin Ibrahim, Muhammad Efendi Bin Asmat, Mohamad Adlan Bin Zamri, Muhammad
Afif Rusydi Bin Md Khalil, Nur Izzati Emalia Bt Azhar, Erin Marissa Bt Ramlan, Maizatul Aqmar Bt
Yusup, Zaila Maizuroh Bt Abd Muin

Abstract
The morphology of this test is to determine the frictional properties (skid resistance
value) of a pavement using a Portable Skid Resistance Tester. One of the surface
requirements for road pavement is that it should possess adequate skid resistance. Skid
resistance is important for road safety. With skid resistance, it allows for better grip between
tire and road surfaces. Most road surfaces have adequate skid resistance in the dry as
compared during wet condition. The presence of water between tire and road surface reduce
the contact are which are needed to create the grip. The instrument, which gives direct
reading, gives a measure of the friction between a skidding tire and dry/wet road surface in
low speed situation (<50km/h).

Keywords: skid resistance, Portable Skid Resistance Tester

Introduction
Skidding, i.e. loss of adhesion
between a vehicle's tyres and the road
surface, occurs in many road
accidents whether it is the actual
cause of the accident. Over the years,
tyre manufacturers have done a lot of
research into different types of rubber
and tread patterns to improve the
safety of motor vehicles.
Governments have introduced
regulations concerning the tread depth
and general condition of the tyres.
Highway engineers have also
researched ways to improve the skid
resistance of road surfaces. The
impetus for this research came from
the Malaysian Public Work
Department (JKR). One of the first
things they did was to devise the
Pendulum Skid Tester which, being
portable, can be taken to the site or
used in laboratory experiments.
This device simulates the skid
resistance offered by a road surface to
a motor car travelling at 50 km/h. It
gives a number, being a percentage,
somewhat akin to a coefficient of
friction.Other devices include braking
force trailer and the meter. These can
be used at the high speeds required
for testing airport runways. With
devices to measure skidding
resistance, researchers then monitored
changes during the life of road
pavements. It was found that skid
resistance falls rapidly after a road is
opened to traffic but the rate of
deterioration slows down, eventually
settling to a constant value. This latter
value is dependent on the surface
texture, rock type and traffic volume.
 HIGHWAY & TRAFFIC ENGINEERING LABORATORY JOURNAL

Objective
To determine the skid resistance value of road pavement surface.
Apparatus
Portable pendulum skid resistance
tester
Water sprayer
Brush
Ruler

(Portable pendulum skid resistance tester)

Procedure
1. Set up skid resistance tester so that
the centre column is vertical (adjust
the levelling screws)
2. Adjust the height of the pivot so
that the arm swings freely without
touching the road surface. (check
that is swings freely right through
to the zero scale)
3. Lower the pivot height so that the
friction foot is contact with the
road surface over the precise
distance (150mm) as shown by the
gauge (scale rule) which is placed
alongside.
4. Raise the pendulum arm to the
starting position and engage the
retaining catch.
5. Water (wet) the road surface where
the readings of skid resistance to be
taken.
6. Check the maximum swing
indicator is set to the vertical
position.
7. Release the pendulum arm.
8. After it swings through, catch the
arm to prevent back swing which
could disturb readings
9. Take and note the reading on the
scale
10. Repeat the test to obtain a
minimum of three readings.
 HIGHWAY & TRAFFIC ENGINEERING LABORATORY JOURNAL

11.

12. RESULT
13. Table 1: Road skid resistance
14. Pavement 15. Dry 16. Wet
Condition
17. Centre
18.R1 19.12 20.12
21.R2 22.19.5 23.11
24.R3 25.17.5 26.12
27.R4 28.18 29.16
30.R5 31.19 32.15.5
33. Average 34. 17.2 35. 13.3
36. Parking
37.R1 38.14.5 39.14
40.R2 41.18 42.11
43.R3 44.19 45.10
46.R4 47.16.5 48.10
49.R5 50.19 51.10
52. Average 53. 17.4 54. 11.0
55. Corner
56.R1 57.19 58.11.5
59.R2 60.19.5 61.10
62.R3 63.20 64.10
65.R4 66.16.5 67.10
68.R5 69.21.5 70.12
71. Average 72. 19.3 73. 10.7
74. Source: Fictitious data, for illustratIon purposes only
75.
76. CALCULATION
77. Average = R1+ R2+ R3 + R4 +R5
78. 5
79. = 19 + 19.5 + 20 + 16.5 + 21.5
80. 5
81. = 19.3
82. DISCUSSION
83. Skid resistance is very important pavement evaluation parameter because poor skid
resistance will lead to accident. Based on the result of the experiment, the differences
between Skid Resistance Value (SVR) for each type of surface are obviously assorted,
depending on its surface texture and its condition, either wet or dry. The experiment is carried
out in highway engineering to analyze the surface friction between the vehicles tires and
road, which enable more research to be made to maximized road safety, mostly during the
rain.
84. RECOMMENDATION
85. This experiment will get an accurate result if the experiment is done according to the
proper procedure. First we have to make sure the portable skid resistance tester is on center,
the bubble must calibrated before start the swing. But due to human error, that can be happen.
 HIGHWAY & TRAFFIC ENGINEERING LABORATORY JOURNAL

We should avoid it if we can, like when we had to catch arm after it swings, if we slightly
move after catch the arm, it will disturb the readings. Beside that, we had to make sure that
we read the readings proportional to eye level to avoid parallax error. And when we had to
wet the surface with water spray bottle, make sure that we sprayed enough water and dont
overspray cause it may affect the readings.
86. .
87. CONCLUSION
88. Surface with rougher texture will have higher friction value compared to smoother
surface texture. The skid resistance test is important in highway engineering since
inadequate skid resistance will lead to higher incidences of skid related accidents.
Besides, skid resistance measurements can be used to evaluate various types of
materials and construction practices of highway and road. Meanwhile, the skid
resistance test with wetted surface was done to illustrate the road condition during
rain, where it is dangerous for any vehicle to travel in high speed. In general, the
friction resistance of most dry pavements is relatively high; wet pavements are the
problem. The numbers of accidents on wet pavements are twice as high as dry
pavements, including other factors such as visibility in addition to the skid resistance
value
89. REFERENCES
90. i. British Standards Methods of determination of particle shape BS 812, Part 105,
1989.
91. ii. Kenneth N. derucher and George P .Korfiatis, Material for civil and highway
engineers, Prentice Hall, NJ 2nd edition,1988.
92. iii.http://www.academia.edu/9890059/Standard_Specification_For_Road_Works_STA
NDARD_SPECIFICATION_FOR_ROAD_WORKS
93.

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