Segregation, or non-uniformity, in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) induces accelerated pavement distress(es) that can reduce a pavement's service life up to 50%. Quality Assurance procedures should detect and quantify the presence of this problem in newly constructed pavements. Current practices are usually based on visual inspections that identify non-uniform surface texture areas. An automatic process that reduces subjectivity would improve the quality-assurance procedures of HMA pavements. Virginia has undertaken a focused research effort to improve the uniformity of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. A method using a dynamic (laser-based) surface macrotexture instrument showed great promise, but it revealed that it may actually miss significant segregated areas because they only measure very thin longitudinal lines. The main objective of this research is to develop a non-contact system for the detection of segregated HMA areas and for the identification of the locations of these areas along a road for HMA quality assurance purposes. The developed system uses relatively low cost components and innovative image processing and analysis software. It computes the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) of images of newly constructed pavements to find various parameters that are commonly used in visual texture analysis. Using principal component analysis to integrate multivariable data into a single classifier, Hotelling's T2 statistic, the system then creates a list of the location of possible nonuniformities that require closer inspection. Field evaluations of the system at the Virginia Smart Road proved that it is capable of discriminating between different pavement surfaces. Verification of the system was conducted through a series of field tests to evaluate the uniformity of newly constructed pavements. A total of 18 continuous road segments of recently paved roads were tested and analyzed with the system. Tables and plots to be used by inspection personnel in the field were developed. The results of these field tests confirmed the capability of the system to detect potential nonuniformities of recently completed pavements. The system proved its potential as a useful tool in the final inspection process. / Ph. D.

Muito embora a micro e a macrotextura dos pavimentos sejam importantes para o tráfego seguro, principalmente em condição de pista molhada e com velocidades superiores a 50 km/h, nos locais de acidentes de trânsito no Brasil esses parâmetros não são avaliados quando das perícias técnicas. Assim, o objetivo principal desta tese é estabelecer critérios de avaliação de pavimentos asfálticos que possam integrar um protocolo para a perícia técnica em locais de acidentes de trânsito. Foi baseada em coleta de dados de micro e de macrotextura dos revestimentos asfálticos em três rodovias no Estado do Paraná, num total de 106 locais, e em quatro vias urbanas na cidade de Londrina-PR, num total de 148 locais, todas com velocidades permitidas iguais ou superiores a 50 km/h, especificamente em trechos onde ocorreram acidentes de trânsito, o que permitiu a determinação da aderência na interface pneu/pavimento, se os valores encontram-se dentro das faixas de aceitabilidade do DNIT, da ANTT e da ARTESP e se houve efetiva contribuição do pavimento para a ocorrência e para a severidade dos acidentes. Dos 106 acidentes rodoviários analisados, em 19 deles as alturas médias de mancha de areia, parâmetro empregado para avaliar a macrotextura, apresentaram-se com valor inferior ao mínimo recomendado (0,60 mm), enquanto que dos 148 acidentes ocorridos em vias urbanas, 22 ocorreram em trechos com alturas médias de mancha de areia também inferiores ao valor mínimo recomendado. Nesses casos também foram realizados ensaios de microtextura, com uso do pêndulo britânico, e posteriormente foram calculados os valores do Índice de Atrito Pneu-Pavimento Internacional (International Friction Index, IFI). Os resultados e as análises deste trabalho indicam que uma melhor condição de macrotextura pode reduzir entre 6% e 19% as energias cinéticas envolvidas nos acidentes em rodovias e de 3% a 11% em vias urbanas, com real possibilidade de redução tanto das avarias produzidas nos veículos quanto, principalmente, das lesões nas vítimas. Dada a importância da micro e da macrotextura, recomenda-se que o protocolo de avaliação de pavimentos para perícias técnicas em locais de acidentes de trânsito em rodovias e em vias urbanas estabeleça a realização dos ensaios de Pêndulo Britânico e de Mancha de Areia em até 24 horas após o evento e que a área a ser levantada contemple toda a extensão das marcas de frenagem dos veículos envolvidos ou, no caso de inexistência de marcas, que compreenda uma extensão de 10 a 70 metros, respectivamente para vias com velocidade máxima permitida de 40 km/h e de 120 km/h. Espera-se, complementarmente, que um protocolo com critérios simples e objetivos, como o desenvolvido neste trabalho, permita a adoção de políticas públicas preventivas, de maior alcance e periodicidade, com as avaliações não somente nos trechos onde ocorrem acidentes, mas ao longo das vias. / Although the micro and macro textures of pavements are important factors for safe driving, especially on wet tracks and with speeds above 50 km/h, such parameters are not even evaluated during technical inspections in traffic accident sites in Brazil. Thus, the main purpose of this thesis is to establish criteria for the evaluation of asphalt pavements that may become integral part of a protocol for technical inspection in traffic accident sites. This work is based on the collection of data concerning the micro and macro texture of asphalt pavements on three roads in the State of Paraná, totaling 106 locations, and on four urban streets in the city of Londrina, State of Paraná, totaling 148 locations. All such locations have a speed limit of equal to or higher than 50 km/h, especially on the sites where traffic accidents occurred, which allowed for the determination of the tire/pavement adherence, and whether the values found were in accordance with the acceptable levels established by DNIT, ANTT and ARTESP, and whether there was effective contribution on the part of the pavement for the occurrence as well as the severity of the accidents. Out of the 106 road accidents that were analyzed, it was observed that in 19 of them the average heights of the sand spot, a parameter used to evaluate the macro-texture, were lower than the minimum value recommended (0,60 mm), while out of the 148 accidents taken place in urban streets, 22 took place in areas where the average heights of the sand spot were also lower than the recommended minimum value. In the case of the accidents that occurred in places where the heights of the sand spots were lower than the minimum recommended, micro texture essays were also carried out by use of the British Pendulum Tester, and later the values of the International Friction Index (IFI) were calculated. The results and the analyzes of this work indicated that a better condition in the macro texture would reduce the kinetic energies involved in road accidents between 6% and 19%, and from 3% to 11% on urban streets, with the real possibility of minimizing both damages caused to the vehicles and especially the lesions on the victims. Given the importance of micro and macro textures, it is recommended that the protocol for the evaluation of pavements for the purpose of technical inspection in traffic accident sites both on roads and urban streets require the carrying out of the British Pendulum Tester and the Sand Spot within 24 hours of the time of the accident and that the area to be tested should include the entire extension of the braking skid marks of the vehicles involved in the accident, or, in the case of inexistence of such marks, covering 10 to 70 meters, respectively, for locations where the permitted maximum speed is 40 km/h, and for locations where the permitted maximum speed is 120 km/h. It is additionally expected that a protocol having simple yet objective criteria, such as the ones developed in this work, will allow for the adoption of preventive public policies, having greater scope and periodical applications, not only on sites where accidents take place, but also on the entirety of roads and streets.

Muito embora a micro e a macrotextura dos pavimentos sejam importantes para o tráfego seguro, principalmente em condição de pista molhada e com velocidades superiores a 50 km/h, nos locais de acidentes de trânsito no Brasil esses parâmetros não são avaliados quando das perícias técnicas. Assim, o objetivo principal desta tese é estabelecer critérios de avaliação de pavimentos asfálticos que possam integrar um protocolo para a perícia técnica em locais de acidentes de trânsito. Foi baseada em coleta de dados de micro e de macrotextura dos revestimentos asfálticos em três rodovias no Estado do Paraná, num total de 106 locais, e em quatro vias urbanas na cidade de Londrina-PR, num total de 148 locais, todas com velocidades permitidas iguais ou superiores a 50 km/h, especificamente em trechos onde ocorreram acidentes de trânsito, o que permitiu a determinação da aderência na interface pneu/pavimento, se os valores encontram-se dentro das faixas de aceitabilidade do DNIT, da ANTT e da ARTESP e se houve efetiva contribuição do pavimento para a ocorrência e para a severidade dos acidentes. Dos 106 acidentes rodoviários analisados, em 19 deles as alturas médias de mancha de areia, parâmetro empregado para avaliar a macrotextura, apresentaram-se com valor inferior ao mínimo recomendado (0,60 mm), enquanto que dos 148 acidentes ocorridos em vias urbanas, 22 ocorreram em trechos com alturas médias de mancha de areia também inferiores ao valor mínimo recomendado. Nesses casos também foram realizados ensaios de microtextura, com uso do pêndulo britânico, e posteriormente foram calculados os valores do Índice de Atrito Pneu-Pavimento Internacional (International Friction Index, IFI). Os resultados e as análises deste trabalho indicam que uma melhor condição de macrotextura pode reduzir entre 6% e 19% as energias cinéticas envolvidas nos acidentes em rodovias e de 3% a 11% em vias urbanas, com real possibilidade de redução tanto das avarias produzidas nos veículos quanto, principalmente, das lesões nas vítimas. Dada a importância da micro e da macrotextura, recomenda-se que o protocolo de avaliação de pavimentos para perícias técnicas em locais de acidentes de trânsito em rodovias e em vias urbanas estabeleça a realização dos ensaios de Pêndulo Britânico e de Mancha de Areia em até 24 horas após o evento e que a área a ser levantada contemple toda a extensão das marcas de frenagem dos veículos envolvidos ou, no caso de inexistência de marcas, que compreenda uma extensão de 10 a 70 metros, respectivamente para vias com velocidade máxima permitida de 40 km/h e de 120 km/h. Espera-se, complementarmente, que um protocolo com critérios simples e objetivos, como o desenvolvido neste trabalho, permita a adoção de políticas públicas preventivas, de maior alcance e periodicidade, com as avaliações não somente nos trechos onde ocorrem acidentes, mas ao longo das vias. / Although the micro and macro textures of pavements are important factors for safe driving, especially on wet tracks and with speeds above 50 km/h, such parameters are not even evaluated during technical inspections in traffic accident sites in Brazil. Thus, the main purpose of this thesis is to establish criteria for the evaluation of asphalt pavements that may become integral part of a protocol for technical inspection in traffic accident sites. This work is based on the collection of data concerning the micro and macro texture of asphalt pavements on three roads in the State of Paraná, totaling 106 locations, and on four urban streets in the city of Londrina, State of Paraná, totaling 148 locations. All such locations have a speed limit of equal to or higher than 50 km/h, especially on the sites where traffic accidents occurred, which allowed for the determination of the tire/pavement adherence, and whether the values found were in accordance with the acceptable levels established by DNIT, ANTT and ARTESP, and whether there was effective contribution on the part of the pavement for the occurrence as well as the severity of the accidents. Out of the 106 road accidents that were analyzed, it was observed that in 19 of them the average heights of the sand spot, a parameter used to evaluate the macro-texture, were lower than the minimum value recommended (0,60 mm), while out of the 148 accidents taken place in urban streets, 22 took place in areas where the average heights of the sand spot were also lower than the recommended minimum value. In the case of the accidents that occurred in places where the heights of the sand spots were lower than the minimum recommended, micro texture essays were also carried out by use of the British Pendulum Tester, and later the values of the International Friction Index (IFI) were calculated. The results and the analyzes of this work indicated that a better condition in the macro texture would reduce the kinetic energies involved in road accidents between 6% and 19%, and from 3% to 11% on urban streets, with the real possibility of minimizing both damages caused to the vehicles and especially the lesions on the victims. Given the importance of micro and macro textures, it is recommended that the protocol for the evaluation of pavements for the purpose of technical inspection in traffic accident sites both on roads and urban streets require the carrying out of the British Pendulum Tester and the Sand Spot within 24 hours of the time of the accident and that the area to be tested should include the entire extension of the braking skid marks of the vehicles involved in the accident, or, in the case of inexistence of such marks, covering 10 to 70 meters, respectively, for locations where the permitted maximum speed is 40 km/h, and for locations where the permitted maximum speed is 120 km/h. It is additionally expected that a protocol having simple yet objective criteria, such as the ones developed in this work, will allow for the adoption of preventive public policies, having greater scope and periodical applications, not only on sites where accidents take place, but also on the entirety of roads and streets.

Non-exhaust PM10 is an issue in the urban environment linked to health issues. Emissions of non-exhaust PM10 is relatable to pavement properties. Also of importance is resuspension of road dust stored from surfaces. This depends on the traffic and metrological conditions. Given this, the purpose of the thesis was to give an overview limited to Sweden and the Nordic countries regarding non-exhaust PM10 emissions and road dust. The overview includes how particles are related to human health. Also included is the principle of how particles are emitted from road surface and tyre interaction, both directly and through resuspension of road dust. This thesis also includes an overview of how the use of studded tyres impact on asphalt surfacings and how the properties of the materials used impact on the abrasion wear. This is then linked to the emissions of non-exhaust particles. Further described is how measurements can be done of ambient particles and road dust, followed on two major models for road abrasion wear and non-exhaust PM prediction. Also included is how road operation, e.g. traction sanding and dust binding, influence the particle emissions together with other options to reduce the emissions through, e.g. limiting the use of studded tyres. One special issue discussed in this thesis is the lack of holistic view regarding the environmental problems in the urban environment with focus on particle emissions and road noise emissions, both from the road surface and tyre interaction. Currently the most problematic issue is prioritized and the resulting solution to that specific problem might increase other problems. This thesis shows that much knowledge is available regarding non-exhaust PM10 emissions and road dust, but also that several knowledge gaps exists. Several suggestions on further studies is given together with a brief overview on the continued work forward from this thesis. / Icke-avgasemissioner av PM10 är ett problem i urbana miljöer länkat till flera hälsoaspekter. Dessa emissioner kan relateras till beläggningars egenskaper. Även resuspension av vägdamm från ytor är av betydelse och beror på både trafiken och meterologin. Baserat på detta är syftet med denna avhandling att ge en översikt kring icke-avgas PM10 emissioner och vägdamm, begränsat till Sverige och de övriga nordiska länderna. Denna översikt inkluderar hur partiklar relaterar till människans hälsa. Annat som inkluderas är hur partiklarna emitteras från vägyta-däckinteraktionen, både direkt och genom resuspension av vägdamm. Avhandlingen inkluderar även en översikt kring hur användandet av dubbdäck inverkar på vägbeläggningar och hur dess egenskaper inverkar på nötningsslitage. Detta länkas därefter till partikelemissioner. Vidare beskrivs även hur mätningar kan genomföras av partiklar samt vägdamm vilket följs upp av beskrivningar kring två större modeller kring prediktion av nötningsslitage och prediktion av icke-avgasemissioner. Även hur driftåtgärder inverkar på emissionerna tillsammans med alternativ för att minska emissionerna tas upp. Ett särskilt problem som tas upp i avhandlingen är bristen på helhetssyn beträffande miljöproblem i den urbana miljön med fokus på partikel- och bulleremissioner från vägyta-däckinteraktionen. För närvarande brukar det värsta problemet prioriteras och lösningen till det detta problem kan i sin tur medföra att andra miljöproblem istället förvärras. Denna avhandling visar på att mycket kunskap existerar kring icke-avgasemissioner av PM10 och kring vägdamm, men även att flertalet kunskapsluckor existerar. Flertalet förslag på vidare studier ges tillsammans med en överblick kring det fortsatta arbetet. / <p>QC 20180202</p>