Correlating Laboratory Test Methodologies to Measure Skid Resistance of Pavement Surfaces

The skid resistance performance of surface aggregates can be assessed in the laboratory with a polishing device that is designed to simulate traffic polishing actions, coupled with a skid resistance measuring device. The standard laboratory test has historically been the polished stone value (PSV) test, as specified in British Standard EN 1097-8:2009. However, as the technology has advanced and traffic volume and composition on the roads have changed, other devices and methodologies have been developed in an attempt to provide better assessment of the skid resistance performance of surface aggregates. This study compared two alternative laboratory tests, the Auckland pavement polishing device (APPD) and the Wehner–Schulze (WS) devices, in assessing the skid resistance performance of three New Zealand greywacke aggregates. This paper discusses the variations in APPD and its corresponding skid resistance measuring device, the dynamic friction tester (DFT) and the effect of macrotexture in the APPD-DFT test. The results demonstrate a good relationship between the APPD-DFT and PSV tests and no relationship between the WS and PSV tests. However, the APPD and WS tests correlate well. The study used only three greywacke aggregates; therefore, no conclusive results can be drawn on the relationship between these laboratory tests as yet.