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Hydroplaning.png

Hydroplaning
on Pavements

DG Texture shot NC Test Site courtesy J Roberts.JPG
US50 3 courtesy J Roberts.JPG
Grooving in Progress in New South Wales, Australia.jpg

If you have increased accident rates or vehicles have experienced hydroplaning on either concrete or asphalt pavements, you need to perform:

 

Longitudinal Grooving

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Automobile accidents tend to increase when there is a loss of friction between the tire and pavement surface due to slippery
conditions. Highway departments have found that the best way to decrease accidents during inclement weather is to remove water from the surface and increase the traction between the tire and the road.


Experience has shown that grooving a pavement’s surface is a very effective method to increase traction, reduce hydroplaning and minimize splash and spray as well as provide a more effective braking surface. This easily constructed and economical surface treatment provides the superior traction needed for vehicles to maintain control while driving in wet, dangerous conditions.


Municipalities and departments of transportation world wide are finding that grooving has a two-fold benefit: it increases a driver’s safety while driving in wet conditions and at the same time, saves on the costs of replacing or overlaying the pavement surface.

Resources

Effects of Pavement Texture on Wet Runway Braking Performance

NASA Center for Aerospace Information Technical Note

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Technical Info

Airport/Airfield

Diamond Grooving

Friction/Safety

During Adverse Conditions, Decelerating to Stop Demands More From Crew and Aircraft

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Technical Info

Airport/Airfield

Diamond Grooving

Friction/Safety

Analysis of Effectiveness of Longitudinal Grooving Against Hydroplaning

How the use of larger groove width and depth, and smaller groove spacing would reduce hydroplaning risk

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Technical Info

Bridge, City/Municipal, Highway

Diamond Grooving

Friction/Safety

Evaluation of Minor Improvements - Grooved Pavement (Supplemental Report)

Grooving produced an average 69% reduction in wet pavement accident rates on the 23 projects studied

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Highway

Diamond Grooving

Friction/Safety

Experimental Project: Enhanced Drainage by Use of Pavement Grooving - I-295 North, Rhode Island

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Technical Info

City/Municipal, Highway

Diamond Grooving

Friction/Safety

Performance of Grooved Bituminous Runway Pavement

Center of Excellence for Airport Technology Technical Note

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Technical Info

Airport/Airfield

Diamond Grooving

Structural/Material Issues

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