Evaluation of the slurry seal as a pavement surface treatment method on the road surface friction resistance

Güneş, Mehmet; Topal, Ali · 2017 · Crossref

DOI: 10.5505/pajes.2016.84555

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Summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness of slurry seal as a pavement surface treatment method, specifically focusing on its impact on road surface friction resistance and traffic safety. The research is motivated by the need for cost-effective maintenance solutions that ensure safe driving conditions, particularly under rainy weather and high-speed scenarios where friction loss significantly increases accident rates. While surface treatments like slurry seal are common in the US and Europe, their adoption in Turkey has been limited, often leading to more expensive full repaving. The study aims to quantify the relationship between surface texture, friction characteristics, and traffic accidents to validate the safety benefits of this treatment. The experimental design involved field measurements at eight specific station points on two major roads in İzmir, Turkey: Yeşildere Street and Mustafa Kemal Sahil Boulevard. Four stations on each road were treated with slurry seal, while one station on each road served as a control with hot mix asphalt. The slurry seal mixtures used Type II aggregate, asphalt emulsion, water, and fillers. Measurements were conducted quarterly over a period from February 2014 to April 2015. The researchers utilized the sand patch test to determine Mean Texture Depth (MTD) and a Dynamic Friction Tester (DFT) to measure skid resistance at various speeds. These physical measurements were correlated with traffic accident statistics obtained from the İzmir Security General Directorate. The study also calculated the International Friction Index (IFI) to standardize friction values across different speeds and measurement methods. The findings demonstrate that slurry seal applications initially provide high friction resistance and adequate surface texture, contributing to improved traffic safety. However, the study highlights that the performance of slurry seal is highly dependent on deformation levels caused by heavy traffic loads and environmental conditions. Stations with excessive deformation showed significant reductions in texture depth and friction values over time, correlating with higher accident risks. In contrast, stations with minimal deformation maintained friction levels closer to initial values. The comparison with hot mix asphalt controls indicated that while slurry seal is a viable surface treatment, its long-term friction performance is more susceptible to degradation than traditional paving if not properly maintained or if subjected to extreme loads. The integration of MTD and DFT data into the IFI model provided a robust framework for evaluating these changes. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to the understanding of pavement surface treatments in the context of traffic safety. It underscores the critical importance of monitoring surface texture and friction resistance periodically, rather than relying solely on visual inspections. The study supports the use of slurry seal as an economical alternative to repaving but emphasizes the need for careful site selection and monitoring to ensure that friction levels remain within safe limits. By linking physical pavement properties with actual accident data, the research provides empirical evidence for the safety implications of surface texture degradation, offering valuable insights for road maintenance policies and engineering practices in Turkey and similar regions.

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• road surface friction