Aggregate properties influence different aspects of asphalt pavement performance. Aggregate polishing characteristics are directly related to pavement surface frictional properties and thus to skid resistance. Aggregate resistance to degradation (abrasion and breakage) is another important property that influences pavement performance. Aggregate degradation could take place during production due to plant operations and during compaction, leading to change in aggregate characteristics and mix properties. In addition, aggregate resistance to degradation is important in mixes such as Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) and Open Graded Friction Course (OGFC) that rely on stone-to-stone contacts among coarse aggregates. Some aggregates in these mixes fracture due to the high stresses at contact points. Many test methods exist for measuring aggregate polishing and degradation, but a critical review of these methods reveals that they suffer from being time consuming, are unable to differentiate between aggregates with distinct resistance to polishing, or unable to differentiate between aggregate resistance to abrasion and breakage. New methodologies are needed to give better assessment of aggregate resistance to polishing, abrasion, and breakage. The thesis presents the development of new methods for measuring aggregate resistance to polishing, abrasion, and breakage. These methods rely on measurements using the Aggregate Imaging System (AIMS) and Micro-Deval. The new method for measuring aggregate resistance to polishing monitors change in aggregate texture as a function of polishing time. As such, it provides the initial texture, rate of polishing, and final texture. The new method for measuring aggregate degradation is capable of distinguishing between breakage and abrasion. In this method, abrasion is defined as the reduction in aggregate angularity, while breakage is defined by fracture of particles. The new methods are shown to be rapid and accurate, and they require reasonable training. Since both AIMS and Micro-Deval are used in the new methods, it was necessary to evaluate the repeatability of these two methods. Measurements using two AIMS units and two Micro-Deval machines were used to assess the variability. There was no statistical difference between the measurements of the two AIMS units or between the measurements of the two Micro-Deval units.

Manufactured fine aggregates are a product created when rocks are crushed using a mechanical crusher. With the depletion of sources of natural sands, the usage of manufactured fine aggregates has increased. Manufactured fine aggregates have properties that differ from natural sands; for this reason, the plastic and hardened properties of concrete produced using manufactured fine aggregates differ from the properties of concrete made with natural sands. The main concrete properties affected by the usage of manufactured fine aggregates are skid resistance, workability, and finishability. The aim of this research project was to investigate how manufactured fine aggregates could be used in concrete pavements without causing workability or skid related issues. To improve the workability of concrete made with manufactured fine aggregates, the use of the optimized mixture proportioning method developed by the International Center for Aggregate Research (ICAR) was investigated. Results obtained from this testing were used to make recommendations on how the ICAR method for pavement concrete could be improved The goal of this research was to also develop laboratory tests that could reasonably predict skid performance of concrete pavements made with different types of sand. For this purpose concrete slabs made with different sands were evaluated for friction and texture using a circular texture meter (CTM), a dynamic friction tester (DFT), and a polisher. To ensure that the values obtained at the laboratory related to field performance, test sections constructed with 100% limestone sand and blended sands were evaluated. Laboratory and field test results for skid were used to identify aggregate tests that best correlates with concrete performance. Results show that the micro-Deval test for fine aggregates could be used to predict the polish resistance of concrete laboratory specimen. Results from field testing has shown that if limestone fine aggregates are not blended with siliceous sands, PCC pavements made with limestone sands on truck lanes could experience a large drop in skid resistance within a year of service. Results obtained from laboratory testing showed that blending a small quantity of siliceous sand with limestone sands considerably increased the skid resistance of concrete specimens. / text

It has been well proven that as the skid resistance of a road surfacing decreases, the number of loss of control type crashes increases, causing road death and injuries. However, the management of skid resistance of road surfacings continues to be difficult due to the inherent and sometimes random variation in skid resistance levels over time. This study is an investigation and analysis of seasonal and short term variation of measured skid resistance in two phases. Phase 1: Regular field monitoring was undertaken using the GripTester and the Dynamic Friction Tester measurement devices on seven sites in the Auckland and Northland Regions of New Zealand was undertaken over a three year period. The effects of temperature, rainfall, contaminants, new surfacings, geometric elements and aggregate properties were analysed to investigate factors that initiate changes in the measured skid resistance of pavement surfacings. Phase 2: Laboratory prepared samples were constructed for accelerated polishing and skid resistance testing of four different aggregates (two greywackes, a basalt and an artificial iron-making melter slag aggregate). The samples were polished in an accelerated polishing machine to an ‘equilibrium skid resistance’ level (Stage 1 polishing). Contaminants were then added to the accelerated polishing process to determine the effect of varying additive, particle size and hardness in an attempt to simulate seasonal and/or short-term variations that occur in the field. The results have demonstrated that significant and previously unpredictable variations (greater than 30%) in measured skid resistance can occur over short time periods. These variations cannot be explained by any one factor. They are the result of a number of inter-related factors, including the geological properties of the aggregates and the contaminants themselves, the previous rainfall history, the road geometry, the calendar month of the year and (depending upon the measurement device), the temperature during testing. The laboratory tests demonstrate that accelerated polishing tests of aggregate samples could be prepared for testing by the Dynamic Friction Tester and that significant variations in measured skid resistance could be simulated on various aggregates in the laboratory by the addition of contaminants. The results of the testing and addition of contaminants on various aggregates resulted in significant behavioural differences which were related to the geological properties of the aggregates themselves, as well as the contaminants used in the accelerated polishing process. The findings of the research have specific relevance to three areas of industry; Road Controlling Authorities who are primarily interested in skid resistance policy, standards and management, Road Asset Managers who operate, maintain and manage condition level and the safety aspects of the road network and Crash Investigators who collect and analyse crash data primarily for legal proceedings. All three of these industry organisations need to clearly understand the inherent variability of skid resistance, the factors involved and the effects that geological and environmental variations have on skid resistance measurement. / Specific appreciation (as outlined below) is given to the significant industry partners/supporters that have helped support the research in many different ways. Firstly, I must give special thanks to Works Infrastructure Limited who have supported the research both financially and with resources almost from the outset of the research programme. The field testing data collection in the Northland Region of New Zealand would not have been possible without the support of the Whangarei Works Infrastructure team which included Peter Houba, Peter King, Matthew Findlay, Glen Kirk and the temporary traffic control team headed by Derek Phillips. Thanks also go to the Auckland Works Infrastructure testing laboratory which supplied aggregate supplies for laboratory sampling and testing and whose technicians also undertook Polished Stone Value tests on the aggregate samples. Special thanks are also given to Michael Haydon and David Hutchison from the technical management team of Works Infrastructure who have always been willing to listen to my requests and the many discussions that we have had on aspects of skid resistance, policy and technical matters. Pavement Management Services and especially Dr John Yeaman and Daniel Rich for their support for the research programme from the beginning, and secondly for financially contributing to the purchase of the Dynamic Friction Tester for the static field testing and the laboratory tests. Achnowledgement is also given to The Ports of Auckland and especially Jo Campbell of the AXIS Intermodal group that allowed access to the rail grid site as a field-testing site outside of normal port operation hours. Transit New Zealand head office staff (Mark Owen, David Cook and Chris Parkman) are also thanked for their support of the research and in enabling access to historic SCRIM and RAMM data on the Transit New Zealand state Highway network. Land Transport New Zealand (formerly Transfund New Zealand) are acknowledged for their significant financial support of the research, in terms of the Land Transport New Zealand Research project that allowed the field research data collection and analysis programme to continue for a further year and for the extension to the controlled laboratory testing.

It has been well proven that as the skid resistance of a road surfacing decreases, the number of loss of control type crashes increases, causing road death and injuries. However, the management of skid resistance of road surfacings continues to be difficult due to the inherent and sometimes random variation in skid resistance levels over time. This study is an investigation and analysis of seasonal and short term variation of measured skid resistance in two phases. Phase 1: Regular field monitoring was undertaken using the GripTester and the Dynamic Friction Tester measurement devices on seven sites in the Auckland and Northland Regions of New Zealand was undertaken over a three year period. The effects of temperature, rainfall, contaminants, new surfacings, geometric elements and aggregate properties were analysed to investigate factors that initiate changes in the measured skid resistance of pavement surfacings. Phase 2: Laboratory prepared samples were constructed for accelerated polishing and skid resistance testing of four different aggregates (two greywackes, a basalt and an artificial iron-making melter slag aggregate). The samples were polished in an accelerated polishing machine to an ‘equilibrium skid resistance’ level (Stage 1 polishing). Contaminants were then added to the accelerated polishing process to determine the effect of varying additive, particle size and hardness in an attempt to simulate seasonal and/or short-term variations that occur in the field. The results have demonstrated that significant and previously unpredictable variations (greater than 30%) in measured skid resistance can occur over short time periods. These variations cannot be explained by any one factor. They are the result of a number of inter-related factors, including the geological properties of the aggregates and the contaminants themselves, the previous rainfall history, the road geometry, the calendar month of the year and (depending upon the measurement device), the temperature during testing. The laboratory tests demonstrate that accelerated polishing tests of aggregate samples could be prepared for testing by the Dynamic Friction Tester and that significant variations in measured skid resistance could be simulated on various aggregates in the laboratory by the addition of contaminants. The results of the testing and addition of contaminants on various aggregates resulted in significant behavioural differences which were related to the geological properties of the aggregates themselves, as well as the contaminants used in the accelerated polishing process. The findings of the research have specific relevance to three areas of industry; Road Controlling Authorities who are primarily interested in skid resistance policy, standards and management, Road Asset Managers who operate, maintain and manage condition level and the safety aspects of the road network and Crash Investigators who collect and analyse crash data primarily for legal proceedings. All three of these industry organisations need to clearly understand the inherent variability of skid resistance, the factors involved and the effects that geological and environmental variations have on skid resistance measurement. / Specific appreciation (as outlined below) is given to the significant industry partners/supporters that have helped support the research in many different ways. Firstly, I must give special thanks to Works Infrastructure Limited who have supported the research both financially and with resources almost from the outset of the research programme. The field testing data collection in the Northland Region of New Zealand would not have been possible without the support of the Whangarei Works Infrastructure team which included Peter Houba, Peter King, Matthew Findlay, Glen Kirk and the temporary traffic control team headed by Derek Phillips. Thanks also go to the Auckland Works Infrastructure testing laboratory which supplied aggregate supplies for laboratory sampling and testing and whose technicians also undertook Polished Stone Value tests on the aggregate samples. Special thanks are also given to Michael Haydon and David Hutchison from the technical management team of Works Infrastructure who have always been willing to listen to my requests and the many discussions that we have had on aspects of skid resistance, policy and technical matters. Pavement Management Services and especially Dr John Yeaman and Daniel Rich for their support for the research programme from the beginning, and secondly for financially contributing to the purchase of the Dynamic Friction Tester for the static field testing and the laboratory tests. Achnowledgement is also given to The Ports of Auckland and especially Jo Campbell of the AXIS Intermodal group that allowed access to the rail grid site as a field-testing site outside of normal port operation hours. Transit New Zealand head office staff (Mark Owen, David Cook and Chris Parkman) are also thanked for their support of the research and in enabling access to historic SCRIM and RAMM data on the Transit New Zealand state Highway network. Land Transport New Zealand (formerly Transfund New Zealand) are acknowledged for their significant financial support of the research, in terms of the Land Transport New Zealand Research project that allowed the field research data collection and analysis programme to continue for a further year and for the extension to the controlled laboratory testing.

It has been well proven that as the skid resistance of a road surfacing decreases, the number of loss of control type crashes increases, causing road death and injuries. However, the management of skid resistance of road surfacings continues to be difficult due to the inherent and sometimes random variation in skid resistance levels over time. This study is an investigation and analysis of seasonal and short term variation of measured skid resistance in two phases. Phase 1: Regular field monitoring was undertaken using the GripTester and the Dynamic Friction Tester measurement devices on seven sites in the Auckland and Northland Regions of New Zealand was undertaken over a three year period. The effects of temperature, rainfall, contaminants, new surfacings, geometric elements and aggregate properties were analysed to investigate factors that initiate changes in the measured skid resistance of pavement surfacings. Phase 2: Laboratory prepared samples were constructed for accelerated polishing and skid resistance testing of four different aggregates (two greywackes, a basalt and an artificial iron-making melter slag aggregate). The samples were polished in an accelerated polishing machine to an ‘equilibrium skid resistance’ level (Stage 1 polishing). Contaminants were then added to the accelerated polishing process to determine the effect of varying additive, particle size and hardness in an attempt to simulate seasonal and/or short-term variations that occur in the field. The results have demonstrated that significant and previously unpredictable variations (greater than 30%) in measured skid resistance can occur over short time periods. These variations cannot be explained by any one factor. They are the result of a number of inter-related factors, including the geological properties of the aggregates and the contaminants themselves, the previous rainfall history, the road geometry, the calendar month of the year and (depending upon the measurement device), the temperature during testing. The laboratory tests demonstrate that accelerated polishing tests of aggregate samples could be prepared for testing by the Dynamic Friction Tester and that significant variations in measured skid resistance could be simulated on various aggregates in the laboratory by the addition of contaminants. The results of the testing and addition of contaminants on various aggregates resulted in significant behavioural differences which were related to the geological properties of the aggregates themselves, as well as the contaminants used in the accelerated polishing process. The findings of the research have specific relevance to three areas of industry; Road Controlling Authorities who are primarily interested in skid resistance policy, standards and management, Road Asset Managers who operate, maintain and manage condition level and the safety aspects of the road network and Crash Investigators who collect and analyse crash data primarily for legal proceedings. All three of these industry organisations need to clearly understand the inherent variability of skid resistance, the factors involved and the effects that geological and environmental variations have on skid resistance measurement. / Specific appreciation (as outlined below) is given to the significant industry partners/supporters that have helped support the research in many different ways. Firstly, I must give special thanks to Works Infrastructure Limited who have supported the research both financially and with resources almost from the outset of the research programme. The field testing data collection in the Northland Region of New Zealand would not have been possible without the support of the Whangarei Works Infrastructure team which included Peter Houba, Peter King, Matthew Findlay, Glen Kirk and the temporary traffic control team headed by Derek Phillips. Thanks also go to the Auckland Works Infrastructure testing laboratory which supplied aggregate supplies for laboratory sampling and testing and whose technicians also undertook Polished Stone Value tests on the aggregate samples. Special thanks are also given to Michael Haydon and David Hutchison from the technical management team of Works Infrastructure who have always been willing to listen to my requests and the many discussions that we have had on aspects of skid resistance, policy and technical matters. Pavement Management Services and especially Dr John Yeaman and Daniel Rich for their support for the research programme from the beginning, and secondly for financially contributing to the purchase of the Dynamic Friction Tester for the static field testing and the laboratory tests. Achnowledgement is also given to The Ports of Auckland and especially Jo Campbell of the AXIS Intermodal group that allowed access to the rail grid site as a field-testing site outside of normal port operation hours. Transit New Zealand head office staff (Mark Owen, David Cook and Chris Parkman) are also thanked for their support of the research and in enabling access to historic SCRIM and RAMM data on the Transit New Zealand state Highway network. Land Transport New Zealand (formerly Transfund New Zealand) are acknowledged for their significant financial support of the research, in terms of the Land Transport New Zealand Research project that allowed the field research data collection and analysis programme to continue for a further year and for the extension to the controlled laboratory testing.

It has been well proven that as the skid resistance of a road surfacing decreases, the number of loss of control type crashes increases, causing road death and injuries. However, the management of skid resistance of road surfacings continues to be difficult due to the inherent and sometimes random variation in skid resistance levels over time. This study is an investigation and analysis of seasonal and short term variation of measured skid resistance in two phases. Phase 1: Regular field monitoring was undertaken using the GripTester and the Dynamic Friction Tester measurement devices on seven sites in the Auckland and Northland Regions of New Zealand was undertaken over a three year period. The effects of temperature, rainfall, contaminants, new surfacings, geometric elements and aggregate properties were analysed to investigate factors that initiate changes in the measured skid resistance of pavement surfacings. Phase 2: Laboratory prepared samples were constructed for accelerated polishing and skid resistance testing of four different aggregates (two greywackes, a basalt and an artificial iron-making melter slag aggregate). The samples were polished in an accelerated polishing machine to an ‘equilibrium skid resistance’ level (Stage 1 polishing). Contaminants were then added to the accelerated polishing process to determine the effect of varying additive, particle size and hardness in an attempt to simulate seasonal and/or short-term variations that occur in the field. The results have demonstrated that significant and previously unpredictable variations (greater than 30%) in measured skid resistance can occur over short time periods. These variations cannot be explained by any one factor. They are the result of a number of inter-related factors, including the geological properties of the aggregates and the contaminants themselves, the previous rainfall history, the road geometry, the calendar month of the year and (depending upon the measurement device), the temperature during testing. The laboratory tests demonstrate that accelerated polishing tests of aggregate samples could be prepared for testing by the Dynamic Friction Tester and that significant variations in measured skid resistance could be simulated on various aggregates in the laboratory by the addition of contaminants. The results of the testing and addition of contaminants on various aggregates resulted in significant behavioural differences which were related to the geological properties of the aggregates themselves, as well as the contaminants used in the accelerated polishing process. The findings of the research have specific relevance to three areas of industry; Road Controlling Authorities who are primarily interested in skid resistance policy, standards and management, Road Asset Managers who operate, maintain and manage condition level and the safety aspects of the road network and Crash Investigators who collect and analyse crash data primarily for legal proceedings. All three of these industry organisations need to clearly understand the inherent variability of skid resistance, the factors involved and the effects that geological and environmental variations have on skid resistance measurement. / Specific appreciation (as outlined below) is given to the significant industry partners/supporters that have helped support the research in many different ways. Firstly, I must give special thanks to Works Infrastructure Limited who have supported the research both financially and with resources almost from the outset of the research programme. The field testing data collection in the Northland Region of New Zealand would not have been possible without the support of the Whangarei Works Infrastructure team which included Peter Houba, Peter King, Matthew Findlay, Glen Kirk and the temporary traffic control team headed by Derek Phillips. Thanks also go to the Auckland Works Infrastructure testing laboratory which supplied aggregate supplies for laboratory sampling and testing and whose technicians also undertook Polished Stone Value tests on the aggregate samples. Special thanks are also given to Michael Haydon and David Hutchison from the technical management team of Works Infrastructure who have always been willing to listen to my requests and the many discussions that we have had on aspects of skid resistance, policy and technical matters. Pavement Management Services and especially Dr John Yeaman and Daniel Rich for their support for the research programme from the beginning, and secondly for financially contributing to the purchase of the Dynamic Friction Tester for the static field testing and the laboratory tests. Achnowledgement is also given to The Ports of Auckland and especially Jo Campbell of the AXIS Intermodal group that allowed access to the rail grid site as a field-testing site outside of normal port operation hours. Transit New Zealand head office staff (Mark Owen, David Cook and Chris Parkman) are also thanked for their support of the research and in enabling access to historic SCRIM and RAMM data on the Transit New Zealand state Highway network. Land Transport New Zealand (formerly Transfund New Zealand) are acknowledged for their significant financial support of the research, in terms of the Land Transport New Zealand Research project that allowed the field research data collection and analysis programme to continue for a further year and for the extension to the controlled laboratory testing.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Mustaque A. Hossain / Road surfaces may prematurely lose pavement friction due to polished aggregates on sharp horizontal curves, steep grades, or near intersections resulting in vehicle skidding. The problem gets exacerbated during wet weather. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that about 70% of wet pavement crashes can be prevented or minimized by improving pavement friction. High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST), a specially-designed thin surface application of hard aggregates and thermosetting resins like epoxy, has been proven to be an effective method to increase road surface friction. Calcined bauxite has been predominantly used in the United States as the hard aggregate in combination with an epoxy binder for HFST. However, this treatment is expensive since the calcined bauxite is imported. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of a local aggregate in HFST. Slab specimens of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) were compacted in the laboratory and treated with HFST systems incorporating both calcined bauxite and a local, hard aggregate, Picher Oklahoma flint aggregate. The treated HMA specimens were then tested with a Dynamic Friction Tester (DFT) and a Circular Track Meter (CTM) to determine the frictional coefficient and texture depth, respectively. Also, Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device Testing were conducted on these HFST systems to evaluate wearing resistance under repetitive wheel load. Field measurements of texture depths on HFST were also done. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the performance of high friction surfaces prepared with different aggregate epoxy combinations. The results show that flint aggregate can be a suitable substitute for the calcined bauxite in HFST. Field measurements also showed marked improvements in texture depth with HFST.

Pavement surface characteristics are important to both the safety of the pavement surface and the comfort of the drivers. As of yet, texture and friction measurements have not been incorporated into the design of pavement surfaces. Seven different wearing surface mixtures, placed at the Virginia Smart Road pavement facility, were studied over a one year time period for both friction and texture properties. A locked wheel skid trailer and a laser profilometer were used to assess the pavement surface characteristics. Laboratory testing of the pavement wearing surface mixtures was performed to determine volumetric and mixture specific characteristics. Testing included gyratory compaction, specific gravity, maximum theoretical specific gravity, ignition testing, and gradation analysis. These material properties were used to study the impact of material properties on pavement surface characteristics. The pavement surface characteristics were analyzed using regression analysis with some measured and calculated parameters relevant to the pavement wearing surface properties. Analysis variables included the skid number at 64 kilometers per hour measured using the ASTM E501 (smooth) and ASTM E524 (ribbed) tires, the mean profile depth, the slope of a linear SN-speed model, the skid number at zero speed from the Pennsylvania State University (1) model, and the International Friction Index parameters. Analysis determined that testing particulars such as the grade of the test did not significantly affect the measured skid number. However, there is a significant difference between the skid numbers measured using the two tires. Additionally, the relationship between speed and skid resistance is assessed differently between the two test tires. Regression analysis concluded that there is a relationship between surface characteristics and HMA design properties such as the VMA, VTM, Percent Passing #200 sieve, and Binder Type. The influence of these variables on each of the analysis parameters varied. / Master of Science

This dissertation is compiled of the findings of several phases of a detailed research study that was aimed at investigating the Skid Resistance phenomenon. In the first phase of the dissertation research a study was performed to evaluate the different factors that influence frictional measurements obtained using the Dynamic Friction Tester (DFT). A temperature calibration factor that would account for temperature effects on DFT readings and IFI computations was developed. In addition, other variables that also affect the friction measurements obtained using the DFT are identified. In the next phase of the dissertation research the effect of pavement roughness on the Skid Resistance was investigated. The variation of the normal load and its nonlinear relation to SN was used to explain lower SN values measured on relatively rougher surfaces. The feasibility of using the International Roughness Index (IRI) and the Dynamic Load Coefficient (DLC) as predictors of the reduction in SN due to pavement roughness was also investigated. In the final phase of the dissertation research an in-depth investigation was carried out to better understand the principles underlying the concept of the International Friction Index (IFI), and specifically the role played by the Speed Constant ( Sp) parameter in the IFI computations. The parameter Sp dictates the speed variation of the wet friction measurements taken on a given pavement surface. The results of the current investigation suggest the revision of the procedure for computation of the Sp parameter to incorporate device specific properties. Furthermore, the incorporation of vehicle characteristics in the Sp parameter computations would help address a well known deficiency of the IFI, which is the inconsistent FR60 (predicted friction at 60 km/h) obtained from the friction values measured at two different slip speeds on the same surface. This study also showed that the modification of the Sp parameter reduces significantly the slip speed dependency of the device calibration parameters A and B. Finally, a modified IFI procedure that incorporates device specific slip conditions is presented. The modified IFI procedure showed consistently better predictive capability than the conventional ASTM procedure on all the different devices considered in this study.

When a vehicle changes speed or direction, the interaction between the contacting surfaces of the tire and the pavement form frictional forces. The pavement's contribution to tire-pavement friction is referred to as skid resistance and is provided by pavement microtexture and macrotexture. The amount of skid resistance depreciates over time due to the polishing action of traffic, and for this reason, the skid resistance should be monitored with friction testing equipment. The equipment use one of four test methods to measure network-level friction: ASTM E 274 locked-wheel, ASTM E 2340 fixed-slip technique, ASTM E 1859 variable-slip technique, and sideways-force coefficient (SFC) technique. The fixed-slip, variable-slip, and SFC techniques are used in continuous friction measurement equipment (CFME). In the United States, skid resistance is traditionally measured with a locked-wheel skid trailer (LWST) equipped with either a ASTM E 501 ribbed or a ASTM E 524 smooth 'no tread' tire. Since the LWST fully-locks the test wheel to measure friction, it is only capable of spot testing tangent sections of roadway. By contrast, the remaining three test methods never lock their test wheels and, therefore, they can collect friction measurements continuously on all types of roadway, including curves and t-intersections. For this reason, highway agencies in the U.S. are interested in transitioning from using a LWST to using one of three continuous methods. This dissertation explores the use of continuous friction measurements, collected with a Sideways-force Coefficient Routine Investigation Machine (SCRIM), in a systemic highway safety management approach to reduce crashes that result in fatalities, injuries, and property damage only. The dissertation presents four manuscripts. In the first manuscript, orthogonal regression is used to develop models for converting between friction measurements with a SCRIM and LWST with both a ribbed and smooth tire. The results indicated that the LWST smooth tire measured friction with greater sensitivity to changes in macrotexture than the SCRIM and LWST ribbed tire. The SCRIM also had greater correlation to the LWST ribbed tire than the LWST smooth tire. The second investigation establishes the relationship between friction measured with a SCRIM and the risk of crashes on dry and wet pavement surfaces. The results of this showed that increasing friction decreases both dry and wet pavement crashes; however, friction was found to have greater impact in wet conditions. Due to the negative relationship between friction and crashes, eventually there will be a point where further losses in friction can result in a rapid increase in crash risk. This point can be identified with a friction threshold known as an investigatory level. When measured friction is at or below the investigatory level, an in- and out-of-field investigation is required to determine whether a countermeasure is necessary to improve safety. The third manuscript proposes a statistical regression approach for determining investigatory levels. Since this approach relies on statistical regression, the results are objective and should be the same for any analyst reviewing the same data. The investigatory levels can be used in a systemic approach that identifies locations where crashes can be reduced based on a benefit-cost analysis of surface treatments. Last, the forth manuscript demonstrates a benefit-cost analysis that selects surface treatments based on crash reductions predicted with continuous friction measurements. / Doctor of Philosophy / When a vehicle changes speed or direction, the tires slide over the pavement surface, creating friction that produces the traction that is necessary for the vehicle to change speed or direction. Friction can diminish when water, dust, and other contaminants are present, or over time due to traffic. Over time, the loss in friction causes the risk of a crash to increase. However, this relationship is non-linear, and therefore, eventually there will be a point where further losses in friction can cause a rapid increase in crash risk. For this reason, the pavement friction is monitored with equipment that slides a rubber tire with known properties over a pavement surface. Since friction is lowest when the pavement is wet, the equipment applies a film of water to the surface directly in front of the sliding tire. There are different types of equipment used to measure friction. The physical designs of the equipment and their method of testing may be different. For example, some devices measure friction by sliding a wheel that is angled away from the path of the vehicle, while others slide a wheel that is aligned with the vehicle but reduced in speed compared to the vehicle. The factors that make the equipment different can affect the quantity of friction that is measured, as well as the timing between each consecutive measurement. The advantages that some equipment offers can entice highway agencies to transition from a pre-existing system to a more advantageous system. Before transitioning, the measurements from the two types of equipment should be compared directly to determine their correlation. Statistical regression can also be used to develop models for converting the measurements from the new equipment to the units of the current, which can help engineers interpret the measurements, and to integrate them into an existing database. The presence of water on a pavement surface can result in a temporary loss of friction that can increase the risk of a crash beyond the normal, dry pavement state. This does not guarantee that dry pavements have sufficient friction as is suggested in most literature. In this dissertation, the relationship between friction and the risk of a crash on dry and wet pavements are evaluated together. The results show that increasing friction can decrease the crash risk on both dry and wet pavement surfaces. The amount of friction that is needed to maintain low crash risk is not the same for every section of road. Locations such as approaches to curves or intersections can increase the risk of a crash, and for that reason, some sections of roadway require more friction than others. Minimum levels of friction called investigatory levels can be established to trigger an in- and out-of-field investigation to determine whether improving friction can improve safety when the measured friction is at or below a specific value. This dissertation proposes a methodology for determining the investigatory levels of friction for different sections of roadway using a statistical regression approach. The investigatory levels are then used to identify locations where pavement surface treatments can reduce crashes based on a benefit-cost analysis. Last, the ability of a surface treatment to reduce crashes is evaluated using another statistical regression approach that predicts changes in crash risk using friction measurements. Since there are several treatment options, a treatment is selected based on estimated cost and benefit.