On in-service roads, vehicle drivers may choose to drive more slowly over a surface that has deteriorated than they would over a more even surface. The report describes an experimental investigation to determine whether surface deterioration, typical of that found on major flexible roads in the united kingdom, significantly influences traffic speeds. Speeds before and after the resurfacing or reconstruction of three test sites have been measured and analysed. The results show that, following resurfacing, traffic speed can increase by up to 2.6 km/h. The maximum increase was obtained by improving the profile of a pavement that had deteriorated to the worst state of irregularity expected on major flexible roads in the UK. Changes in surface texture levels are shown to have no significant effect on traffic speed. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting