The research provided background information on friction measurements and identified four potential scenarios for use of friction measurements in winter maintenance operations.

For many years, highway agencies in Japan and Europe have employed winter driving surface friction indicators in the decision-making process for snow and ice control operations, winter maintenance performance evaluation, and motorist information. More recently, a few state highway agencies embarked on a program to experiment with devices to obtain information on winter driving surface friction. However, because limited research has been performed to assess the applicability and benefits of such technology, there is a need for evaluating the feasibility of using friction measurements or indicators as tools for improving winter maintenance operations and mobility and to determine the potential economic, environmental, and other benefits.

The research included a review of domestic and foreign literature relative to the use of friction indicators for winter maintenance operations decision making, operations performance evaluation, and motorist information; gathering and reviewing information from the roadway agencies in the United States and other countries on the use of friction measurements in winter maintenance operations; and identifying potential scenarios for use of friction measurements in winter maintenance operations. The research also documented the opinions of a limited number of individuals regarding the use of these scenarios as tools for improving winter maintenance operations and mobility; field evaluations of these scenarios were no performed. The agency final report is available online as NCHRP Web Document 53.