The development of automotive technology provided an opportunity for users to drive at higher speed on roads, but such technology requires proper road conditions for higher safety acquisition. The pavement surface must put its users in a safe and comfortable condition. Traffic accidents can be the result of a combination of many factors but one of the primary safety criterions for asphalt pavements is tire-pavement interaction, and this is directly related to surface texture characteristics, which contributes to skid resistance and surface drainage. Skid resistance is one of the most important characteristics, which significantly affects the safety of driving on pavements and roads and has a serious effect on the accidents occurrence, especially in wet surface conditions. The low value of skid resistance, especially in wet pavement, leads to dangerous driving conditions. Since it is common engineering practice to create a highly comfortable and safe situation for users of facilities, it is obvious why complete emphasis is given to research of pavement texture characteristics. The evaluation of texture properties of the pavement surface like skid resistance was often performed with the conventional tests like sand patch tests, the British pendulum and the drainage tests. These tests are normally performed in the field after the pavement construction. Several researchers have been trying to develop different methods for the analysis of the asphalt pavement surface with respect to its skid resistance, which are faster and more accurate with lower costs.

This paper, presents a review on the research studies that have been done on characterization of the frictional properties of the pavement surface and discussed different methods used for measurement and evaluation of texture characteristics. The first section of this study summarizes the general knowledge, and research studies have been done on characterization of the frictional properties of the pavement surface.

In this study, the friction mechanism and the factors affecting frictional properties of the road surface and the microtexture and macrotexture as two important parameters contributing to pavement friction and skid resistance have been explained in detail. Additionally, the methods currently used to measure the skid resistance and their advantages and disadvantages have been discussed. In the end, some ideas and solutions have been proposed to develop new methods for texture measurement that cover the defects of current methods and receive good results.

Although there are multiple causative factors involved in highway accidents, investigations on factors influence traffic accidents, have consistently shown a link between crashes and pavement surface characteristics, such as friction and texture. Thus, for developing effective solutions to reduce potentially hazardous situations, there is a requirement for depth studies on these parameters and understanding the relationship between them [1] . Pavement surface friction is a measure of safety for driving on the road pavements and has a great role in reducing accidents especially in wet weather conditions [2] - [4] . An essential part of the vehicle-pavement interaction is friction force between the tire and the pavement surface. It gives the vehicle the ability to have safe acceleration, maneuver, corner, and stop operations [5] . The friction force developed at the contact zone between tire and pavement is called skid resistance [6] . The skid resistance is related to many factors and it is known to be a function of pavement construction materials [7] [8] , pavement roughness [9] , and surface conditions [10] .

Friction level is influenced by various characteristics of pavement surface and the tire of the vehicle. Developing realistic models for in-situ prediction of pavement friction due to the complicated nature of the tire-pavement interaction is very difficult [3] .

Developing friction between rubber tires and the pavement surface depends on many factors including the texture of the pavement surface, vehicle speed, and the presence of water [11] . Additionally, the characteristics of the construction materials, construction techniques, and weathering influence pavement texture [5] .

Wilson and Dunn enumerated several factors that affect the tire-pavement frictional characteristics as follows [12] :

1-Vehicle factors:

1-1-Vehicle speed;

1-2-Angle of the tire to the direction of vehicle motion;

1-3-The slip ratio;

1-4-Tire characteristics (tire tread depth, structural type, hardness, and wear).

2-Road surface and aggregate factors:

2-1-Geological properties of the surface aggregate;

2-2-Surface texture (Microtexture and Macrotexture);

2-3-Type of surface;

2-4-Age of the surface.

3-Load factors:

3-1-The equivalent number of vehicle traffic loadings;

3-2-Road geometry;

3-3-Traffic flow conditions.

4-Environmental factors:

4-1-Temperature;

4-2-Prior accumulation of rainfall, rainfall intensity, and duration;

4-3-Surface contamination.

Also Wallman and Astrom listed various factors affecting available pavement friction as shown in Table 1 [13] .

In another study, Moore [14] explained the friction phenomenon between tire and pavement surface and showed adhesive and hysteresis components of frictional forces in elastomers as shown in Figure 1 [15] . A complex interaction between adhesion and hysteresis forces while sliding on wet pavement, contributes to the vehicle stopping distance. The adhesive component of friction is created by intermolecular binding or adherence at the surface level. For keeping the micro-asperities or surface irregularities of the two surfaces which are exposed to each other, together, Vander Waals or dipole forces provide an attractive force and prevent further movement [5] [16] .

The adhesion as well as the shear strength, relates to the actual contact area between the tire and the pavement surface [15] [17] . Until the slip becomes critical, the adhesion friction is dominant. Typically, at a driving speed on wet pavement, the adhesion comprises two-thirds of the resistance force [18] . The hysteresis part of friction is a function of the energy loss due to bulk deformation of rubber around the asperities of the pavement surface [19] . When vehicles pass across the asperities of a rough surface pavement, the hysteresis component reflects energy loss that occurs, as the rubber is alternately compressed and decompressed [15] .

In addition, during a bulk deformation process, the friction force takes place at the contact area. In this process, the elastomer is affected by each macro-asperity. After passing over the asperity, the rubber returns to its initial state but this interaction causes a net loss of energy. This loss of energy contributes to the hysteresis component of friction [19] .

The pavement texture and friction have been discussed in the past by several researchers. Yandell related the contribution of various texture scales to the hysteresis friction [20] - [22] . Forster [23] by using linear regression analysis proved that the texture shape, also defined by an average slope, explains friction satisfactorily. Roberts [24] showed that the material properties and the separation velocity affect the forces and the dissipation of energy between the tire and pavement surface. Kummer [25] showed that the hysteresis component of friction reaches a maximum value at high-speed sliding, while adhesion at relatively low speeds of sliding, reaches a maximum value [5] .

Traffic safety and efficiency of the road system have had increasing importance for management agencies. Thus, friction evaluation has become an important tool in the management of pavement surfaces [15] . The friction properties of pavement are related to its surface texture characteristics, which are known as macrotexture and microtexture [26] .

Macrotexture refers to the coarse-scale texture irregularities of the pavement surface that affects the hysteresis component of the friction. These irregularities are associated with the void area between aggregate particles. The magnitude of this component will depend on the size, shape, and distribution of coarse aggregates used in pavement construction, the nominal maximum size of aggregates and the particular construction methods used in the implementation of the pavement surface layer [6] [11] [27] .

Microtexture refers to fine-scale texture irregularities in the surface of the aggregate particles that are measured at the micron scale of harshness and are known to be mainly a function of aggregate particle mineralogy [6] . Stone particles smoothness or harshness depends on these irregularities. The magnitude of microtexture depends on initial roughness of the aggregates surface and the resistance of the aggregates against the polishing action of traffic and environmental factors [6] [28] . The adhesion component of the friction is influenced by microtexture [6] . Figure 2 illustrates the microtexture and macrotexture of the pavement surface.

The definition of microtexture and macrotexture and their relation with pavement friction has been the focus of attention of several researchers for a long time. Moore [30] characterized surface texture by defining three parameters: size, interspace or density, and shape. Taneerananon and Yandell [31] showed that in the water drainage mechanism, density has minor importance compared to the two other parameters. Kokkalis and Panagouli [10] tried to explain the fractal structure of the pavement surface. They represented the relation of surface depth and density with pavement friction by developing a model. The pavement surface texture according to its size is divided into the two categories of microtexture and macrotexture (ASTM E 867). The microtexture category contains surface asperities of less than 0.5 mm (0.02 inch) in height, while the macrotexture category refers to asperities greater than 0.5 mm (0.02 inch) in size [5] . Figure 3 shows the different categories of pavement texture based on covering wavelength and different phenomena and surface characteristics related to these texture categories.

Figure 4 shows the schematic plot of microtexture and macrotexture and pavement- tire friction. To prevent hydroplaning occurrence, the surface needs to have adequate macrotexture for quick dispersion of water accumulated on the surface of the pavement. Additionally, adequate macrotexture helps the development of the hysteresis component of friction which is related to energy loss due to tire deformation because

of motion on macro asperities and consequently increases pavement friction [5] [32] [33] . Simulation of the percentage of contact points within the contact area of a tire and pavement surface could give an estimation of the macrotexture of the pavement [32] . Davis et al. [34] showed that mixture parameters have a significant influence on the ribbed tire skid resistance measurements and laser profile mean texture depth. Moreover, they reported that according to HMA mix design properties, prediction of some of the frictional properties of the wearing surface mixes is possible [34] . Bloem [35] indicated that in order to assure enough depletion of water from under the tire, an average texture depth of about 0.5 mm (0.02 inch) as the minimum, is required [35] .

Balmer [36] showed that about (0.02 inch to 0.12 inch) 0.5 to over 3 mm change in surface texture causes a difference of 16 km/h (10 mph) in speed for the initiation of hydroplaning [36] [37] .

Microtexture plays a considerable role in the road-tire contact in wet surfaces. The size of microasperities has a significant trace in overcoming the thin water film. Squeezing and overcoming the thin water film present in the pavement-tire contact area and generating friction forces requires the existence of microtexture [22] . Moreover, to maintain a confident contact between tire and pavement, the microtexture has a great role to penetrate into thin water film present on the surface of the pavement [32] . The shape of micro asperities controls the drainage process [22] [31] [38] . Savkoor [39] also showed that the amplitude and number of microasperities on the surface affects the drainage of the water film between the tire and pavement [22] .

Forster [32] presented a parameter in relation to microtexture based on a combination of average height and average spacing between microasperities. Ong et al. [40] showed that using materials with better microtexture reduces the chance of hydroplaning. In this research, it was shown that hydroplaning in pavements that contain coarse aggregates with high microtexture in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm occurs at 20 percent higher speed. Horne [41] also stated that it is possible to delay hydroplaning in pavements with a good microtexture [40] .

A study by Pelloli [42] on five different types of surfaces showed that the relationship between friction coefficient and the water depth accumulated on the pavement surface is a function of the amount of microtexture [40] . Moore [30] reported 5 × 10⁻³ mm as minimum water film thickness to be expelled by surface microasperities. Bond et al. [43] declared the same amount of magnitude by conducting visual experiments to monitor the water film between a tire and a smooth transparent plate. Bond et al. [43] showed the influenceof differences in microtexture and macrotexture of pavement surfaces on standard test tire peak brake coefficients [44] . Leu and Henry [45] explained the differences of skid resistance tests taken from different pavement surfaces based on their specific microtexture and macrotexture. However, Horne and Buhlmann [41] demonstrated the poor relation of surface friction measurements and pavement texture measurements [11] [44] .

Hogervorst [18] reported that both microtexture and macrotexture of the pavement surface affects the changes of skid resistance with vehicle speed. The magnitude of skid resistance is defined by microtexture, and controlling the slope of reduction of skid resistance as speed increases is related to macrotexture. Moreover, macrotexture by reducing the friction-speed gradient and helping the drainage of water affects the skid resistance of pavements at high speed, but it has little effect at low speed. On the other hand, at low speeds, the dominant factor which defines the level of friction is microtexture [1] [46] [47] (Figure 5).

Researchers declared that the characteristics of the coarse aggregates exposed at the wearing course affect the macrotexture and microtexture of the pavement surface [5] ;

[32] . According to microtexture and macrotexture of a pavement surface, they could be classified into four categories [10] :

・ smooth and polished surface, i.e. having neither macrotexture nor microtexture.

・ smooth and harsh surface, i.e. having microtexture but no macrotexture.

・ rough and polished surface, i.e. having macrotexture but no microtexture.

・ rough and harsh surface, i.e. having both macrotexture and microtexture.

In some researches, surface irregularities are divided into four categories: microtexture, macrotexture, megatexture and unevenness according to the scopes of wavelengths and the amplitude range shown in Figure 6. Megatexture includes major surface irregularities like roughness, cracks and potholes. It is measured in a centimeter scale and influences tire-pavement contact and decreases tire-pavement adhesion [48] . Ride comfort is highly related to megatexture [49] . Unevenness affects the safety and comfort of riding on a road due to its effect on dynamic parts of the vehicle [49] .

A summary of the effect of different factors on the microtexture and macrotexture of the pavement surface is presented in Table 2. This information can be used to obtain required characteristics for pavement surface design [1] .

The standard way of skid resistance measurement is on wet pavements. One of the most important parameters influencing skid resistance is the wet or dry condition of the pavement surface. Many researchers demonstrated that there is a relationship between accidents in wet weather conditions and pavement surface friction [13] [50] - [53] . In places where there are long intervals between precipitations, after a dry period, the number of accidents increases during the first precipitation [54] . When the pavement becomes wet, the layer of water covering the pavement acts like a lubricant and reduces the contact between the tires and the pavement surface [55] [56] . Therefore, the friction

decreases and the pavement surface exhibits lower friction than the dry-pavement surface. In addition to this lubricating effect of water at high speeds, lack of drainage facility in the presence of certain depths of water film may result in hydroplaning (hydroplaning occurs when a water film builds between the tires of the vehicle and the pavement surface, leading to the loss of traction and thus disabling the vehicle from responding to actions like steering, braking or accelerating [57] ), which is considered the main cause of accidents in wet weather conditions [55] [58] .

Implementing corrective actions in hazardous areas can reduce the rate of these accidents. It is necessary for future safety improvements to evaluate the safety of roads and analyze the different factors affecting pavement friction. The occurrence of dynamic hydroplaning is influenced by pavement macrotexture and tires tread depth in two ways. First, the critical hydroplaning speed directly depends on these factors because they provide a pathway for water to digress from the pavement?tire contact area and delay hydroplaning. Second, the critical hydroplaning speed indirectly depends on these factors because the larger macro-texture requires more water presence to cause hydroplaning. However, the pavement surface must also have an adequate microtexture to develop good friction. Research studies have shown that a 63 percent decrease in wet-pavement crashes can be obtained by an increase in average pavement friction from 0.4 to 0.55 [1] [59] . Research by Kamel and Gartshore also showed 71 percent reduction in wet weather crashes in intersections and 54 percent on freeways by improving the skid resistance [1] [60] . The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), found a linear relationship between the slipperiness of the road surface and the accidents. Moreover, with an increase in slipperiness of the road surface, the rate of crashes increased [1] [61] . Roe et al. [62] also showed that the rate of crashes decreased with an increase in pavement friction. Wambold et al. [63] reported that wet-weather accidents have a significant relationship with the skid numbers measured with a skid trailer. The effect of wet weather conditions on road safety was also demonstrated by a study conducted in Germany, where the proportion of wet crashes was compared to pavement surface friction, as shown in Figure 7. Friction in this study was measured at a speed of 50 mi/hr (80 km/hr). This figure clearly shows a significant decrease in wet pavement accidents as the pavement friction increases [64] .

The relationship between pavement skid resistance and crash rates and the effect of pavement friction improvement on these crash rates is also demonstrated by several researchers [64] - [68] .

While most researches are focused on increasing the life span of pavement materials, there is no clear criterion for the selection and use of aggregate and mixture design to assure desirable frictional performance. In addition, available methods of evaluating aggregates for use in asphalt mixtures are mainly based on the old viewpoint of aggregate performance [69] [70] .

The high correlation between pavement skid resistance and rate of accidents shows that it is required for developing a system for comprehensive material selection and mixture design. Mix designers always deal with the challenge of selection of proper aggregates. Furthermore, it is necessary to pay attention to frictional properties of aggregates and their ability to resist the polishing action of the passing traffic. Considering these important factors prevents probable additional costs for surface treatment. The cost of maintenance and rehabilitation of pavements can reduced by developing a comprehensive system for selecting aggregates based on a quantitative evaluation of the physical properties of aggregate related to pavement skid resistance. This system would consider the effects of pavement microtexture and macrotexture to propose the optimal pavement skid resistance and facilitate the selection of aggregate type and mixture design to satisfy safety requirements. To achieve this optimization, it is required to find a proper accelerated polishing method and systematic test method for measuring the frictional properties of the pavement.

The ability of aggregates to keep their texture against polishing action of traffic has long been known as a highly important requirement for its use in pavement construction [35] [71] - [76] . Coarse aggregate characteristics like angularity and resistance to wear, have a substantial role in providing sufficient skid resistance in pavements. Using hard and irregularly shaped coarse aggregates is a key to attaining and retaining the desired texture. To avoid reducing skid resistance of the asphalt surface, it is essential to implement a hard and polish-resistant coarse aggregate [35] . Fine aggregates show their significant role only when used in relatively large quantities [77] . The adhesion component of pavement friction could be highly enhanced by using Sharp, hard sand particles [18] . Aggregates, based upon their mineralogy, are polished differently in the asphalt mixture. Aggregates polish or become smoother at different rates because of their different ability to resist the polishing action of traffic [78] [79] .

There are a number of test procedures and devices available to measure the skid resistance of the pavement surface. Every single of them has specific features and it is vital to know that these devices all measure slightly different parameters and hence their results cannot be compared directly but in some aspects we can compare these measurement tests. In a general classification we can divide the measurement of skid resistance into two categories:

-Field measurement;

-Portable and laboratory testers.

These measurements are also divided into other categories. Figure 8 shows the classification of measurement methods:

Pavement management system (PMS) in different phases needs accurate information for proper functioning and making correct decisions. Thus, it is important to find proper methods for measuring texture characteristics of the pavement surface. As has been mentioned in previous sections, there are various methods and devices for measuring and evaluating pavement texture characteristics like skid resistance. This paper reviewed methods and devices used for measuring skid resistance and researches accomplished about different aspects of these methods and devices. All of these methods have different specifications and particular advantages and disadvantages. This section discussed the strengths and weaknesses of these methods and their superiority compared with each other.

In field measurement methods, the Locked wheel test is a well developed method with user friendly systems which is relatively simple and not time consuming but it is limited and it can be used only on straight segments and can miss slippery spots because of its intermittent measurements.

The side force test presents continuous measurement throughout a test pavement section and has superiority because it can be used in straight sections, curves and steep grades. This method is sensitive to road irregularities like cracks and potholes which can destroy tires quickly.

The fixed slip test has the ability to collect high resolution friction data continuously and can be used in network-level or project level friction monitoring. This method can be used only on a straight segment. Fixed slip devices take reading at a specified slip speed and their speeds do not always coincide with the critical slip speed value. This method needs large amounts of water in a continuous method.

Various slip tests can be used for field testing on straight and curved segments and continuously provide any desired fixed or variable slip friction results. This measurement device is large and complex with high maintenance costs and complex data processing and analysis needs. This method needs large amounts of water in continuous mode.

In the field of portable and laboratory testers, the British pendulum tester is used worldwide as a measurement device of friction and texture. It is portable, very simple and suitable for both laboratory and field evaluation. This device can be used to measure both longitudal and lateral pavement tire friction. Weaknesses of this method are also a variable quality of results. Traffic control is required and it does not always simulate pavement tire characteristics. This device collects only spot measurement and cannot be used for network evaluation. The testers’ results can also be affected by operator procedures and wind effects.

The dynamic friction tester can be used for field and laboratory testing. It provides good repeatability and reproducibility and is unaffected by operators or wind. It also provides high speed values of friction coefficient. This tester needs traffic control similar to BPT and does not always simulate pavement tire characteristics, collects only spot measurement and cannot be used for network evaluation.

The sand patch method is a simple method and needs inexpensive equipment. It is widely used for texture measuring. This method is slow and requires lane closure and represents the evaluation of only macrotexture of a small area. Results of this test are very sensitive to operator variability. The outflow meter, similar to a sand patch test, is a simple method and needs inexpensive equipment. It provides an indication of hydroplaning potential in wet weather. This method is slow and requires lane closure. It only represents a small area of the pavement surface.

The circular texture meter is a repeatable method that is independent of operators, but this method is a little slow and requires lane closure that also presents a small surface area. AIMS is a descriptive, rapid and automated method. It provides detailed information on all sizes of paving aggregates. In addition, the capability of measuring the texture of coarse aggregates has been tied to the rutting potential of asphalt mixtures and improving the friction characteristics of asphalt wearing. In addition, image based methods generally have disadvantages due to the need for large data storage capacity.

In an overall state, for prevention of traffic interruption, it is recommended that the method does not require traffic control and lane closure, locked wheels, side forces, fixed and variable slip tests do not need traffic control, while other methods need traffic control. Due to their laser equipment, AIMS and the circular texture meter have an advantage over other methods because of their contactless measurement. Table 3 and Table 4 show an overview of methods and devices mentioned in this paper.

There are numerous methods and devices for measuring pavement surface texture characteristics. Every single one of these measurement methods has specific weaknesses that cause restrictions and reduce the popularity of these methods. This paper discussed all aspects of the methods and their strengths and weaknesses. To develop new methods in the future without weaknesses of the present methods, it is necessary to deeply scrutinize these methods.

One of these weaknesses is being time consuming and requiring a long time for test operation. The British pendulum, dynamic friction, outflow test, sand patch test and circular texture meter are slow tests that need lane closure and traffic control during their measurement due to their low speed of measurement. Some of these devices have restrictions because they are not able to measure pavement texture characteristics in some places with special circumstances. The locked wheel tester cannot be used on

Curves, T-sections or Roundabouts. The side force tester is very sensitive to road potholes, cracks, etc. and implementing this test in places with these defects can quickly destroy tires. In fixed slip devices, the slip speed on snow covered surfaces does not always coincide with the critical slip speed value. The British pendulum test exhibited unreliable behavior when tested on surfaces with coarse texture and the outflow test can be used only for non-porous surfaces.

The ability of continuous measurement is an advantage for measurement methods, the locked wheel tester and portable and laboratory testers are deprived of this ability. It is favorable to use methods with low operation and equipment costs, methods such as the locked wheel test and variable slip test have high primary and operating costs. Determination of speed dependency of skid resistance is another good ability for a measuring device. The locked wheel method can only perform it by repeated measurements. The British pendulum tester only measures a frictional property of surface at a low speed.

Selection of a model that can be used for network and project level friction measurement is more favorable. The British pendulum tester and dynamic friction tester cannot be used for network evaluation because of their spot measurement. The circular texture meter, outflow and sand patch test also have this restriction.

As mentioned previously, the standard method of skid resistance measurement is a method which evaluates surface texture in wet conditions. The wet or dry condition of the pavement surface is an important parameter influencing skid resistance. Methods such as the British pendulum test, dynamic friction and sand patch do not have the ability to evaluate pavement characteristics in wet conditions.

Present methods measure the friction characteristics and skid resistance in the direction of motion and perpendicular to it. Regarding the critical direction of skid resistance, it may occur in any diagonal direction, and it is necessary to develop a method which considers the critical direction for measuring skid resistance. The present measurement devices like the British pendulum do not consider this critical direction of skid resistance.

Methods like variable slip methods need complicated data processing and analysis in their measurement process. Measurement methods must also be insensitive to operator procedure and environmental circumstances. The sand patch test is sensitive to the operator procedure and the British pendulum is also affected by operator procedure and wind.

With regard to the weaknesses mentioned for the present methods used for texture measurement, it is necessary to innovate new methods that do not have these weaknesses. New methods must be high speed methods which produce the results in minimum possible time and do not need control of traffic and lane closure. These methods must perform the evaluation of friction on wet conditions and be able to measure skid resistance and frictional characteristics in a critical direction. The methods must have low initial and equipment costs. They must use simple data analyses in their measurement procedure. It is necessary to develop a method with the ability to use texture measurement at both network and project levels. These methods must produce continuous measurement and be applicable in all conditions.

For this purpose and with regard to the development of new technologies in engineering sciences, researchers must utilize these technologies to present new methods and create detailed indicators for pavement texture and friction characteristics.

In this section some ideas have been proposed to develop new methods for measuring texture and frictional characteristics of pavement surface in the future.

Different pavement surfaces can show different light reflection based on their texture characteristics. It seems that worn texture which has lower microtexture has higher light reflection. As a future work, a method can be developed which evaluates pavement texture characteristics based on different light reflection of surfaces.

It also seems that the heat of the pavement surface is different with regard to its texture. On the other hand, the heat of pavement surfaces with different texture characteristics is also different. So a method can be developed which produces indices for pavement texture based on the heat of its surface.

Sonic methods can also be used for texture measurement. It can be expected that pavements with different surface and aggregate textures exhibit different behavior when confronted with implementing sonic techniques and this difference can be used to develop indices for pavement surface texture.

To develop a method for both network and project level measurement, finding a method which uses satellite images of the surface of roads may produce good results.

Replacing traffic cameras in intersections which are susceptible places with high resolution cameras and implementing image processing techniques to produce frictional indices for critical directions is another proposed idea for future works.

Mataei, B., Zakeri, H., Zahedi, M. and Nejad, F.M. (2016) Pavement Friction and Skid Resistance Measurement Methods: A Literature Review. Open Journal of Civil Engineering, 6, 537-565. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojce.2016.64046