A paved road surface, commonly constructed of bituminous material or concrete, should provide a durable, predictable, running surface with adequate skid resistance which is able to withstand the effects of weather. When the road surface condition becomes poor or defective, rehabilitation or resurfacing work is needed to restore the pavement surface to the required level of service.

Pavements may become worn or damaged overtime due to ageing, weathering and the action of road traffic. Potholes, rutting, cracking, deformation and polishing are just some of the common pavement failures and these can lead to risks for vehicle occupants, motorcyclists and bicyclists as they may, for example, swerve or break suddenly to avoid defects. Motorcycles are especially vulnerable to pavement defects.

Ensuring that the pavement surface is consistent and free of defects can reduce risk. However, a high level of caution should be taken when providing a high-quality road surface on a poor-quality road (such as paving an unpaved road or a paved road with damaged pavement) is likely to result in higher traffic speeds and may increase risk unless it is accompanied with supporting infrastructure.

For more information on restoring or improving the road surface’s resistance to skidding refer to the Skid Resistance page.