Abstract
The control of a vehicle depends ultimately on the friction available between its tyres and the road surfaces to give adequate skidding resistance when wet under the many varied conditions of speed and road layout which are encountered in the course of normal driving.
Methods of measuring the skidding resistance of road surfaces are described, with particular emphasis on the interpretation of results in relation to accident risk and on the minimum requirements for safety under different road conditions.
The features of road surface texture which give these requirements are outlined and results of field surveys show the extent to which the requirements are met at the present time. The influence of tyre tread characteristics on the frictional properties of road surfaces is also discussed.
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