Correlation of Wet and Dry Skid Resistance: British Pendulum Tester vs Locked Wheel Skid Trailer

Abstract: Skid resistance is very critical for ensuring safe vehicular movement and preventing accidents, particularly in varying weather conditions, making it an essential factor in road safety and pavement management. The study investigates the correlation between skid resistance on dry and wet pavements using the British Pendulum Tester (BPT) and compares these results with the Locked Wheel Skid Tester (LWST). A series of tests were conducted to measure the average skid numbers (Avg_SN) in both conditions. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses revealed a moderate positive correlation between Avg_SN_dry and Avg_SN_wet (0.4128 and 0.4125, respectively), though both correlations approached significance (p-values: 0.0790 and 0.0793). On the other hand, the correlation between Avg_SN_wet and Avg_SN_Wet was weak (0.1014, p-value: 0.6797). Kendall’s Tau indicated a significant relationship between Avg_SN_dry and Avg_SN_wet (0.3519, p-value: 0.0357), while distance correlations showed strong dependency (0.9168 for Avg_SN_dry vs. Avg_SN_wet). Regression analysis revealed that Avg_SN_dry explained only 17% of the variance in Avg_SN_wet, while the relationship between Avg_SN_wet and SN_Wet was minimal (R-squared: 0.0103). Using these correlations, pavement managers can optimize maintenance strategies, prioritize safety improvements, and implement cost-effective practices particularly on low-traffic and low-importance roads. The research enhances predictive maintenance capabilities and informs design standards and leading to safer road conditions without necessitating extensive resources typically reserved for high-traffic areas.