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

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method called Effective Depth of Skid Resistance (EDSR) to better assess asphalt pavement safety by analyzing surface textures at specific depths.

## Contribution

The study introduces the novel concept of Effective Depth of Skid Resistance (EDSR) to improve skid resistance assessment accuracy.

## Key findings

- A significant positive correlation was found between skid resistance and pavement textures at specific depths.
- A theoretical model for predicting skid resistance achieved over 80% accuracy against real-world data.

## Abstract

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.