Continuous friction measurement equipment (CFME) used to determine skid resistance is the focus of a proposed new ASTM International standard. Interested parties are invited to participate in the development of ASTM WK34937, Guide for Evaluation, Calibration and Correlation of Continuous Friction Measurement Equipment (CFME). The proposed standard is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E17.21 on Field Methods for Measuring Tire Pavement Friction, part of ASTM International Committee E17 on Vehicle-Pavement Systems.

According to Dr. James C. Wambold, president, CDRM Inc., and a past chairman of E17, the purpose of the proposed standard, once it has been approved, will be to calibrate devices that are listed in ASTM E2340, Test Method for Measuring the Skid Resistance of Pavements and Other Trafficked Surfaces Using a Continuous Reading, Fixed-Slip Technique, or other appropriate standards such as ASTM E670, Test Method for Side Force Friction on Paved Surface Using the Mu Meter. These CFMEs are currently used primarily in airports but are seeing more use on highways than before. Information gathered from these tests is used to gather the necessary calibrated friction information for determining the skid resistance of both runways and highways.

Once approved, the proposed standard will be used by test tracks, airport personnel, and friction measuring equipment manufacturers to calibrate CFME devices.

ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

ASTM Committee E17 Next Meeting: June 24-27, 2012, June Committee Week, San Diego, Calif.
Technical Contact: James C. Wambold, CDRM Inc., State College, Pa., Phone: 814-238-7185; jcw@psu.edu
ASTM Staff Contact: Daniel Smith, Phone: 610-832-9727; dsmith@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #9036