PAVEMENT SURFACE MACROTEXTURE ANALYSIS

Asphalt pavement surface macrotexture has an important role in traffic safety. It contributes to skid resistance especially on roads where higher speeds are developed and under wet surface condition, due to its influence on water drainage and reduction of hydroplanning effect. Consequently, sufficient level of surface macrotexture reduces the traffic accidents risk. In order to determine macrotexture values, different measurement procedures are applied. Measurement results are mostly interpreted as mean texture depth (MTD) or mean profile depth (MPD) values and afterwards compared to limit values, describing the quality of macrotexture on examined road section. This paper gives a brief analysis of pavement surface macrotexture characteristics important for skid resistance realization. An overview of methods for macrotexture determination and the comparison of limit values used for characterization of macrotexture performance is shown. In addition part of the research of macrotexture properties of highway pavements done at the Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Rijeka are presented, where macrotexture was determined using vehicle - installed laser profilometer, producing mean profile depth (MPD) values.