ROAD SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS AND SAFETY:

A JOINTLY FUNDED PROJECT BY AA FOUNDATION FOR ROAD SAFETY RESEARCH AND CSS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

In May 2001 the AA Foundation and CSS awarded a two-year contract on the above topic to Hampshire County Council.

It continues the AA Foundation’s research links with local highway authorities which began with Birmingham City Council in 1989 and with whom three urban road safety accident reports were commissioned. In the mid 1990s three further studies were commissioned from Cambridgeshire County Council this time specialising in rural road accidents.

The objectives of the study are:

* To investigate whether any relationship exists between the surface characteristics of the road surface and the accidents that occur, and in particular to investigate influencing factors, including:

- wet/dry conditions;

- the role of splash and spray on skidding and as an impairment to visibility;

- lighting provision for accidents after dark

- the presence of porous surfaces via skid resistance and via behavioural adaptation (ie drivers going faster);

- the presence or absence of white lines at road margins

To report on the position regarding relevant research on the role and efficacy of the tyre in the tyre/road interaction.

* To advise Decision makers on appropriate levels of maintenance, Suppliers on the selection of materials and, generally, the direction that developments of surface characteristics should take in order to improve safety.

The results of the research will be published in 2003 but it has yet to be decided if interim reports will be issued.

The researcher, John C Bullas who has previously worked for TRL, is reporting locally to Terry Lomas of the Technical Advice Group within the County Surveyor’s Department at Winchester

John C Bullas

Researcher  - Hampshire County Council: Email

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