Methods for Increasing the Harshness of Texture on Old Concrete Pavements: Canvass of What the States Are Doing

About the report:

This report is a compilation of responses from different states setting forth what they are doing to restore the texture and thereby improve the skid resistance of old portland cement concrete pavements. All of the methods reported in use seem to work satisfactorily in certain cases and none seem satisfactory in all cases. Therefore, it is necessary to fit the method to the situation. For example, the practice of deslicking concrete pavements by grooving probably should not be used in the northernmost states where studded tires are used extensively, because these tires wear the grooves out so quickly. Six methods of increasing the harshness of texture were reported: grooving, acid etching, overlays, bush hammering, pavement burning, and scarifying with a bulldozer with steel tips welded onto its tracks. This report lists the methods used by various states and gives an assessment of each method. The bases of the assessment were:(1) whether the method raised the skid resistance or cut down on accidents, or both, and (2) whether it was durable enough to make its use practical.

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