The Management Of Skid Resistance In Australia – A National, State Or Local Task?

It is widely recognised that providing appropriate levels of skid resistance and surface texture across a road network can make a valuable contribution in securing positive road safety outcomes. Yet, the proactive management of skid resistance is often viewed within Australia as being within the domain and achievability of state road authorities only, despite knowledge and experience from other countries (e.g. United Kingdom and New Zealand) that a number of local road authorities (local councils) procure skid resistance testing and are actively using the data. This paper starts by introducing (and comparing) the highway network in Australia, before looking at current published guidance / good practice concerning the management of skid resistance. The many reasons for, and challenges to, the development and implementation of a skid resistance management strategy at national, state and local levels are then identified.