Fractal evaluation of pavement skid resistance variations. I: Surface wetting

Pavement skid resistance has long been recognised as the primary factor to reduce traffic accidents. Skid resistance is affected by a large number of parameters. This is the first in a series of two papers dealing with the ro ad surface contribution to tire-pavement skid resistance giving special emp hasis to the effect of a water film development on the pavement surface, pa vement surface texture is expressed by micro/macrotexture depth and density . Relative regression equations giving pavement skid resistance values have been reviewed and a well fitting regression equation has been derived. The mathematical background of fractal interpolation functions is then present ed. An attempt is described to approximate the pavement surface texture wit h fractals by taking into account its accurate geometry. Through this appro ximation the procedure of pavement surface wetting is evaluated, in respect with its effect to skid resistance values. This attempt yields encouraging results, although it is apparent that further research is required. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.