High friction surface treatment (HFST) provides an enhanced level of skid-resistance and is typically applied on high speed roadways, the approaches to signalized intersections, roundabouts, small radius curves, and pedestrian crossings.

Where there is a transition from a HFST to a standard road surface, motorcyclists will experience a reduction in grip between the tires and the pavement. This may not be a problem on straight sections of pavement but, if the HFST ends on a bend, a change in the road surface friction can destabilize a motorcyclist.

Where HFST is terminated is based partly on engineering judgement, therefore it is important that the surfacing extends to a point where the hazard has diminished. An example of this is on the exit from a horizontal curve where the extension of the HFST by a matter of feet can move the transition point beyond the bend and onto a straight section of pavement.

This can be a simple but effective measure to assist motorcyclists.

Treatment

: Designers need to specify appropriate friction characteristics for pavement surfacing depending on the nature of the road environment at each location. This includes where motorcyclists and other road users are accelerating, braking, and cornering.

HFST may be recommended in the following scenarios:

Approaches to and across intersections, approaches to roundabouts and traffic signals;
Approaches to pedestrian crossings and other high-risk situations;
Gradients greater than 5% and longer than 150-ft; and
Horizontal curves on high speed roadways with the minimum radius at normal crown and near or at the minimum radius for full superelevation, where the side forces are at their highest.