Macro- And Micro-Texture Evolution Of Road Pavements And Correlation With Friction

This article features a field experiment conducted on existing road pavements to characterise macro- and micro-texture variations at actual road conditions and to substantiate links to friction values. Three-dimensional inspections of the wearing course surface of three asphalt mixes were performed during a short period of 9 months. Several statistical texture indicators, spectral analysis and photo-simulated images of surface height maps were employed to analyse macro/micro-texture evolution and to study the physical phenomena behind it. Fractal and non-fractal parameters, with a focus on Hurst exponent (H), were used in associating texture with friction. The results of texture evolution clearly state that changes in macro/micro-scales occur within full surface profile and not solely from the polishing phenomena of a small percentage of top surface topographies. It was demonstrated that H, as an indicator of full surface profile specification, could not be employed for road texture-friction studies at actual road conditions.