The Effective Depth of Skid Resistance (EDSR): A Novel Approach to Detecting Skid Resistance in Asphalt Pavements

Asphalt pavement skid resistance, governed by surface texture, is critical for traffic safety. Most research has focused on full-depth textural characteristics, often overlooking the depth of tire-pavement contact under real traffic conditions. This study introduces the concept of the Effective Depth of Skid Resistance (EDSR) to describe the effective depth of tire-asphalt contact, improving skid resistance assessment accuracy. Using blue linear laser scanning, surface textures of three common asphalt pavements with wearing courses-AC-13, AC-16, and SMA-13-were analyzed, and friction coefficients were measured using a British pendulum. After pre-processing three-dimensional texture data, fractal dimensions at various depths were calculated using the box-counting method and correlated with the friction coefficients. Previous studies show an insignificant correlation between full-depth asphalt pavement textures and skid resistance. However, this study found a significant positive correlation between skid resistance and pavement textures at specific depths or the EDSR. A depth with a correlation exceeding 0.9 was defined as the EDSR. Linear formulas were established for each pavement type within these EDSR ranges. A theoretical model was developed for predicting skid resistance, showing an over 80% accuracy against real-world data, indicating its potential for improving road surface performance detection.