Reducing skid-related accidents

Water can have a major effect on road surface friction, and its impact on the traction produced by tyres can result in dangerous driving conditions. Existing methods and devices that measure the skid resistance of road surfaces are limited in scope and do not account for the different elements that influence tyre and road friction.

The EU-funded 'Enhanced driver safety due to improved skid resistance' (SKIDSAFE) project looked at how the pavement and the tyre interact. This helped to create tools that predict the cumulative loss of skid resistance in relation to the wear of the pavement.

To explore the interaction between the pavement and the tyre, the project team designed and manufactured a device that carries out tests on different dry pavement surfaces and tyres. Advanced tyre models and algorithms were used to reproduce scenarios that help cause friction and wear between the surface and the tyre.

The simulations led to the identification of factors that influence the extent and the deterioration of skid resistance on dry pavements. These factors were then used to examine the negative impacts of wet pavements. A test vehicle was used to demonstrate skidding due to wet road surfaces.

Based on the findings, three pavement skid-resistance management tools were developed.

By introducing innovative pavement management solutions to measure the skid resistance of road surfaces, SKIDSAFE should reduce traffic accidents while helping authorities to determine safe speed limits.