The use of the Delphi Method in the evaluation of skid resistance
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Date
1996
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Publisher
University of New Brunswick
Abstract
The New Brunswick Department of Transportation has not conducted skid
resistance testing since 1987. At that time, because of economic reasons, skid testing was
considered expendable. The New Brunswick Department of Transportation used the
locked wheel skid trailer test to measure skid resistance, a test that was both expensive
and time consuming.
Skid resistance does have an important role in pavement management systems.
There is a correlation between skid resistance and driver safety. Generally the higher the
skid resistance of a pavement surface, the better the stopping ability of a vehicle.
Government agencies have a duty to provide safe roads for drivers. Although a full skid
resistance testing program is not an option due to fiscal constraints, less expensive testing
programs may provide the answer to the need for skid testing.
The objective of this senior report project was to develop a quick, inexpensive and
relatively accurate method of evaluating skid resistance through a method of
technological forecasting. The Delphi Method uses the opinions of a group of
knowledgeable individuals. The group works independently, with the ultimate goal of
reaching a common result. Through photographs, statistical measures and a minimal
amount of background information, the panel in the Delphi survey for this project
estimated the skid values for ten different pavement segments.
There are numerous ways to incorporate a Delphi survey into the evaluation of
roads for skid resistance. This project attempts to determine if the Delphi Method is a
suitable method for evaluating skid resistance of pavement surfaces.