SFT Friction Testers


Advanced Friction Testers for Road Pavement Analysis

ICC / International Cybernetics offers state-of-the-art friction testers designed to accurately measure road pavement friction, ensuring optimal safety and performance. Our friction testers are essential tools for highway agencies, transportation departments, and pavement engineers in the USA, Canada, and across the globe.

Key Features of Our Friction Testers:

  • Precision Measurement: Our friction testers provide accurate and reliable data on pavement surface friction, helping to assess road safety and maintenance needs. With advanced calibration and robust design, our equipment delivers consistent results in various testing conditions.
  • Advanced Technology: Equipped with cutting-edge sensors, GPS and software, our testers deliver real-world data that enables analysis for comprehensive pavement friction evaluation.
  • Versatile Applications: Suitable for various road types and conditions, from highways and urban roads to high friction treated pavements. Our friction testers are designed to perform under diverse environmental conditions, including wet and dry surfaces.
  • Global Reach: Serving clients in the USA, Canada, and worldwide, our friction testers are trusted by leading transportation authorities and engineering firms. Our global network of agents ensure timely delivery and support, no matter your location.

 

 

Designed and fabricated in our Florida facility, the ICC Friction Tester consists of a custom fabricated trailer and tow vehicle that offers single- or dual-sided testing and is available in standard range and extended range models.

The Importance of Measuring Road Pavement Friction

Friction is a key factor in road safety. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) analysis shows that over 50% of fatal crashes are due to roadway departure. Pavements with insufficient friction when wet and roads with horizontal curves are the leading road-related factors contributing to these incidents.

Managing pavement friction on roads is critical for safety. Advances in materials have made it possible to repair road sections with poor friction by applying high friction surface treatments (HFST). To keep road users safer and to achieve “zero deaths” safety goals, most transportation agencies need a way to identify current and potential safety problems proactively. This also helps avoid costly legal claims.

Locked Wheel Friction Testers

For more than 40 years, locked wheel friction testing has been the most accepted method for measuring road pavement friction in the USA, Canada, and many countries worldwide. ICC Surface Friction Testers (SFT) provide a safe, efficient, and reliable means of measuring surface friction on existing and new surfaces for roadways, bridges, crosswalks,

and patterned pavements.

Made in the USA

Designed and fabricated in our Florida facility, the ICC Surface Friction Tester consists of a custom-fabricated trailer and tow vehicle that offers single- or dual-sided testing and is available in standard-range and extended-range models.

Benefits of ICC Friction Testers Include:

  • Enhanced Road Safety: By providing precise friction measurements, our testers help in making informed decisions about road maintenance and safety improvements. This proactive approach can significantly reduce accident rates and improve public confidence in road infrastructure.
  • Cost-Effective Maintenance: Early detection of low friction areas allows for timely maintenance. Regular monitoring and preventative maintenance is key to maintaining a safe road network.
  • Comprehensive Data Analysis: Our advanced software enables detailed analysis of friction data, identifying potential problem areas. This data-driven approach supports strategic planning and efficient allocation of maintenance budgets.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Our friction testers feature intuitive interfaces and user-friendly software, making them accessible for operators with varying levels of technical expertise. Training and support are available to ensure your team can effectively utilize our equipment.
Applications:
  • Highways and Freeways: Monitor and maintain friction levels for safer high-speed travel. Friction testing on these roads is critical for preventing accidents caused by hydroplaning and other high-speed incidents.
  • Urban Roads: Ensure safe driving conditions in city environments where frequent stops, pedestrian crossings, and mixed traffic conditions are common. Regular friction testing can help reduce accidents and improve traffic flow.

Data Utilization:

The collected data is used to:

  • Test characteristics of applied surface treatments, such as HFST.
  • Determine safe friction levels on roadways, intersections, and crosswalks.
  • Identify resurfacing or rehabilitation needs for current paved surfaces.

Options

The trailer is available in single- and dual-sided versions:

  • Single-sided trailer: Applies the water and braking force on one side (one wheel path) only.
  • Dual-sided trailer: Alternates between the two sides to measure friction in both wheel paths.

Unique Advantages of ICC Friction Testers:

Maintenance-free, coil-over shocks instead of air-adjustable shocks.
  • Check valves installed before the electric valve to save water, translating to fewer refill stops.
  • Proprietary racing-style aluminum brake calipers.
  • Proximity switch for DMI, enabling field fixes versus downtime in the garage.
  • Aluminum fenders and hoods with Kevlar coating.
  • Top-down access to the trailer suspension system.
  • Rapid fire mode option for closer spacing between tests; faster lockup reduces water usage.
  • User-friendly and time-efficient.
  • Reliable, standardized working principle trusted worldwide since 1975.
  • Adheres to ASTM and AASHTO industry standards.

Industry Standards

Our friction testers adhere to numerous industry standards, including:

  • ASTM E274: Skid Resistance of Paved Surfaces Using a Full-Scale Tire.
  • ASTM E501: Standard Rib Tire for Pavement Skid-Resistance Tests.
  • ASTM E524: Standard Smooth Tire for Pavement Skid-Resistance Tests.
  • ASTM E556: Calibrating a Wheel Force or Torque Transducer Using a Calibration Platform.
  • ASTM E1337: Standard Test Method for Determining Longitudinal Peak Braking Coefficient.
  • ASTM E1845: Standard Practice for Calculation Pavement Macrotexture Mean Profile Depth.
  • AASHTO T 242: Standard Method of Test for Frictional Properties of Paved Surfaces.
  • AASHTO M 261: Standard Specification for Rib-Tread Standard Tire.
  • AASHTO M 286: Standard Specification for Smooth-Tread Standard Tire.

Contact us today  by clicking the link below to learn more about our products and how we can assist you in maintaining optimal road pavement friction. Serving the USA, Canada, and international markets, we are your trusted partner in friction testing technology.

The SFT is available in two models for project- and network-level testing.

SFT SR

The Standard Range safety friction tester capable of holding 350 gallons (1,300 L) of water.

SFT XR

Our extended range safety friction tester capable of holding 1,200 gallons (4,500 L) of water.

Our clients