Application of macrotexture and friction parameters in pavement management for road safety

Luis Alfonso Moreno-Ponce; Lucy Elizabeth Solórzano-Villegas; Daniel David Carvajal-Rivadeneira; Martha Johana Álvarez-Álvarez

Authors

Moreno-Ponce Luis Alfonso Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí. Jipijapa, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9026-1009
Solórzano-Villegas Lucy Elizabeth Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí. Jipijapa, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9903-5304
Carvajal-Rivadeneira Daniel David Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí. Jipijapa, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5288-5483
Álvarez-Álvarez Martha Johana Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí. Jipijapa, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9879-0367

Keywords:

Macrotexture; Friction; IFI; Pavement management; Road safety

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/ig.v8i16.0303

Abstract

The study addressed improvements in road safety by integrating macrotexture and friction parameters into a Pavement Management System (PMS). The objective was to develop and validate a framework that harmonised heterogeneous measurements via the International Friction Index (IFI), established operational thresholds, and produced a risk-oriented prioritisation of interventions targeting loss of skid resistance. Standardised acquisition procedures were applied (2D/3D profilometry for MPD/ETD and continuous/spot friction measurements), together with QA/QC controls, an ETL workflow, conversion to IFI (ASTM E1960), stratification by functional class and climate, and threshold derivation using ROC/percentile analyses; prioritisation was performed with a multicriteria scheme (condition, exposure, cost, and expected benefit). The results showed traceable IFI series by segment, differentiated thresholds by road typology, and a ranked list of critical sections consistent with exposure and crash records, enabling more effective programming of preservative treatments. It was concluded that the proposed integration enabled reproducible and auditable decisions, focusing resources where the expected impact on risk reduction is greatest; local calibration of coefficients and the progressive incorporation of 3D metrics and time series were recommended to strengthen prediction and operational monitoring.

Keywords: Macrotexture; Friction; IFI; Pavement management; Road safety.

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