A Feasibility Study on Friction for Winter Road Management

Currently in Japan, winter road conditions are visually evaluated and categorized for snow and ice control operation. This visual determination, however, lacks accuracy due to its vulnerability to winter maintenance personnel’s individual variations in experience and subjectivity. Therefore, since this subjective measure could result in overapplication of material and areas in need of attention being left untreated, errors during the visual determination compromise the efficiency and effectiveness of the implemented treatment. Alternatively, the evaluation using friction values is anticipated to objectively identify areas in need of treatment, pinpoint slippery sections requiring special attention, quantify the appropriate amount of material to be spread, and accurately evaluate the effectiveness of spreading anti-icing agents and abrasive materials. This study explores the feasibility of implementing a friction measurement evaluation system in Japan as a tool to evaluate road condition objectively and quantitatively. Specifically, with a continuous friction-measuring device that can determine the surface friction of an extended section of road as a line the study tests for obtained data’s accuracy and reliability as well as suitability for the snow and ice control management. This paper presents a summary of results obtained from these studies to suggest some ideas for the local road administrators to promote effective and efficient snow and ice control management.