Miriam: An International Round Robin Test To Compare Rolling Resistance Measurement Methods

Abstract

The MIRIAM project (Models for rolling resistance in Road Infrastructure Asset Management Systems) was originally established by twelve partners from Europe and USA. It aims at developing methods for improved control of road transport carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in order to obtain a sustainable and environmentally friendly road infrastructure. The first phase of the project, taking place in 2010-2011, included a round robin test (RRT) to compare different rolling resistance (RR) measurement equipment. The RRT was organized in June 2011 on a test track in Nantes, France. Three institutes participated with their RR trailers. RR measurements were carried out on various surfaces, such as epoxy resin, surface dressings, thin layers, porous cement concrete, porous and dense asphalt concrete. Measurements were carried out at 50 and 80 km/h to assess the influence of speed on RR. A few tyres were used to study the impact of the tyre. Many runs were undertaken on the same surface to gain knowledge about repeatability and reproducibility of the test method. Texture measurements with laser profilometer were performed on the same test sections to investigate the homogeneity of the pavements and to study the relation between texture and RR. In this paper some results, analyses and conclusions of this pilot study are presented.