PERCEPTIONS OF WALKING SURFACE SLIPPERINESS UNDER REALISTIC CONDITIONS, UTILIZING A SLIPPERINESS RATING-SCALE

People's perceptions of walking surface slipperiness may be quite diff erent from the actual traction of the surface as measured by the coeff icient of friction (COF). Previous studies have shown that subjects' p erceptions of walking surface slipperiness can be measured and compare d to the COF of the surface, but those previous studies have taken pla ce in the laboratory. This study was designed to test subjects' percep tions in conditions closer to real life. Subjects were exposed to 10 o utdoor walking surfaces under both dry and wet conditions, and were as ked to look at and then walk over each surface under each condition. T he subjects then rated their perceptions of the slipperiness of the wa lking surface for each condition, and the results were compared to eac h other and to the COF of each surface. The results suggest that subje cts tended to make predictions about the slipperiness of the walking s urfaces, and verified these expectations as they crossed them. Perceiv ed slipperiness and measurements of a surface's traction were in close st agreement when subjects walked across the surface when wet.