High Friction Surfacing

High Friction Surfacing

We apply skid resistant coatings to roadways and other outdoor areas to add high friction safety qualities, making road surfaces less slippery in the most critical situations.

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High Friction Surfacing

As a professional high friction surfacing company, we can offer high friction surfaces for your establishment.

This specifcation of floor coating has a long history of proven use in saving lives by imparting the highest level of skid resistance helping to improve road safety. If you are interested in prices or specifications available please complete the contact form so we can assist you right away.

The High Friction Surfacing is available as a hot applied installation system or cold applied installation treatment. The hot applied HFS installation involves the application of a hot pre-mixed material consisting of glue and calcined bauxite. 

The cold applied high friction floor systems are similar to surface dressing in that they involve the even application of a tough polymeric liquid binder onto the prepared road flooring followed by the installation of calcined bauxite stone aggregate.

If you require removal of high friction surfacing, take a look at this page https://www.markingcontractors.co.uk/hydroblasting/. Fill in our contact form to speak to a specialist regarding any of our services.

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What is High Friction Surfacing?

High friction surfacing (HFS) also known as anti-skid surfacing or high friction road treatment, is a road or pavement surface treatment designed to improve the skid resistance and overall safety of the road.

It is commonly used in areas where slippery conditions pose a hazard, such as curves, intersections, pedestrian crosswalks, and areas prone to wet or icy conditions.

High friction surfacing is applied to road surfaces to enhance vehicle and pedestrian traction, reduce accidents, and improve road safety.

High friction surfacing is typically applied using specialised materials and equipment, including epoxy resin binders and aggregates (such as calcined bauxite or colored aggregates). The process involves cleaning the existing road surface, applying the binder, and then broadcasting the aggregate onto the binder while it is still tacky. After curing, the excess aggregate is removed, leaving a textured, high-friction surface.

Overall, high friction surfacing is a valuable road safety measure that enhances traction and reduces the risk of accidents, making roadways safer for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Types of High Friction Surfacing

There are different types of high friction surfaces available and listed below are the most popular applications:

  • MMA high friction paint.
  • Hot applied thermoplastic antiskid treatment.
  • Cold applied epoxy anti skid surfacing.

Costs of High Friction Surfacing

The average costs for high friction surfacing is £40 - £200 per sqaure metre.

However, the costs will vary for each project depending on the size of the project and type of material used.

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for and although these costs might not be the cheapest we certainly believe as a specialist installer in  we will certainly be best value for money.

We challenge you to enquire with us and check we are best value because very confident in our work and prices to the competitive.

Where is High Friction Surfacing Most Commonly Used?

High friction surfacing is commonly installed on high speed roads, highways, freeways, streets, rural roads and bus lanes. Some of the most common locations where high friction surfacing is applied include:

  • Intersections: HFS is frequently used at intersections, especially those with a history of accidents. The improved skid resistance helps vehicles stop more effectively, reducing the risk of collisions.
  • Sharp Curves and Bends: Roads with sharp curves or bends can become hazardous, particularly in wet or icy conditions. HFS is applied to these areas to enhance vehicle traction.
  • Pedestrian Crosswalks: Crosswalks and pedestrian pathways in urban areas often feature high friction surfacing to reduce the risk of slips and falls for pedestrians, especially during wet weather.
  • Bike Lanes: HFS can be used on bike lanes to improve cyclist safety, especially at intersections and areas where cyclists may encounter motorised traffic.
  • High-Traffic Areas: Road segments with high traffic volumes, such as freeway ramps, toll plazas, and busy urban streets, benefit from HFS to prevent accidents and ensure smoother traffic flow.
  • Ramps and Slopes: On-ramps and off-ramps on highways, as well as steep road sections, can become slippery when wet. HFS is applied to these areas to reduce the risk of skidding.
  • Bridge Decks: Bridge decks are often made of materials that can become slick when wet or icy. HFS is used on bridge decks to enhance traction for vehicles.
  • School Zones: HFS is sometimes applied near schools and in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic to improve safety for children and pedestrians.
  • Bus Stops: High friction surfacing can be used at bus stops to reduce the risk of slips and falls for passengers getting on and off buses.
  • Parking Garages: In multi-story parking garages, HFS is used on ramps and driving lanes to prevent vehicles from skidding, especially in covered areas where water and ice can accumulate.
  • Hazardous Areas: Any location where road conditions can be hazardous due to weather conditions, oil or chemical spills, or other factors can benefit from HFS to reduce accidents.
  • Emergency Vehicle Access: HFS is sometimes used at the entrances and exits of emergency vehicle access routes to ensure that emergency vehicles can enter and exit safely and quickly.

This solution can be applied onto tarmac, asphalt, concrete and pavement surfaces.

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What are the Benefits of High Friction Surfacing?

High friction surfacing (HFS) offers several benefits, primarily related to road safety and the reduction of accidents. Here are the key advantages of using high friction surfacing:

  • Enhanced Skid Resistance: HFS significantly improves the skid resistance of road surfaces. This is particularly beneficial in areas prone to wet, icy, or oily conditions. The increased skid resistance helps vehicles maintain better traction, reducing the risk of accidents caused by skidding.
  • Reduced Accident Rates: By providing better grip and control for vehicles, HFS helps reduce the occurrence of accidents, especially in critical areas like intersections, sharp curves, and pedestrian crosswalks. Fewer accidents mean safer roads for all users.
  • Shorter Stopping Distances: Vehicles can stop more quickly on high friction surfaces, which is crucial for avoiding rear-end collisions and accidents that require sudden braking. Shorter stopping distances can prevent accidents and save lives.
  • Improved Pedestrian Safety: HFS is often used in crosswalks and pedestrian pathways to enhance pedestrian safety. The increased skid resistance reduces the risk of slips and falls, making it safer for pedestrians to cross roads.
  • Enhanced Cyclist Safety: Bike lanes and cycling paths benefit from HFS, providing cyclists with better traction and reducing the risk of accidents, especially at intersections and areas where cyclists interact with motorised traffic.
  • Effective in Wet Conditions: HFS maintains its skid resistance even in wet conditions, making it highly effective during rain, snow, or after precipitation. This feature is crucial for maintaining road safety in various weather conditions.
  • Durable and Long-Lasting: HFS materials are designed to withstand the wear and tear of heavy traffic and environmental factors, making them a durable and long-lasting solution. This durability reduces the need for frequent maintenance and reapplication.
  • Retrofittable: High friction surfacing can be applied to existing road surfaces, which makes it a cost-effective way to improve road safety without the need for extensive road reconstruction.
  • Quick Installation: The installation process for HFS is relatively fast, minimizing disruptions to traffic. This allows for the rapid implementation of safety measures in accident-prone areas.
  • Enhanced Night-time Visibility: Some HFS materials are reflective, which improves visibility at night and during adverse weather conditions, further enhancing road safety.
  • Compliance with Safety Standards: The use of HFS can help authorities and transportation agencies comply with safety regulations and standards, reducing liability in case of accidents.
  • Reduction in Insurance Costs: Fewer accidents and lower accident severity may result in reduced insurance costs for both road authorities and vehicle owners.
  • Improved Emergency Response: HFS can be applied at emergency vehicle access points, ensuring that emergency vehicles can enter and exit quickly and safely, which can be critical in life-saving situations.

Coloured High Friction Surfaces Near Me

The coloured high friction surfaces system is used in all traffic and pedestrian areas where colour is the key. Coloured roads or pathways can be used to guide traffic or pedestrians.

Or alternatively colour can be used simply for better visibility. Coloured High Friction Surfacing was widely adapted from the original anti skid coating in the late 1990s.

These products make use of pigmented calcined bauxite, which is naturally grey or buff after the calcining process of the mined bauxite. Pigmentation is achieved using coloured binders, applied to the bauxite either before or during the installation process.

Only some products make use of a pigmented binder to encapsulate the bauxite in the installed process.

The colourful high friction Surfacing needs to be focussed as the primary focus being for the safety of the flooring and secondary the design or nice decorative look of the floor.

To the road user, the use of coloured surfacing draws attention to a change of environment, a particular hazard or highlights other measures implemented to improve road safety. 

The use of colour on a carriageway can also reduce lane width perception which has the effect of lowering overall vehicle speeds. 

An example of this is the use of red high friction surfacing on the approach to a Pelican or Zebra Crossing. These specifications are proven to help with the braking of cars.

Anti Skid Road Specification

Anti Skid Road Specification is an epoxy resin process dressed with high PSV calcined bauxite aggregate. These Anti Skid Road Specification is available in either HAPAS or BBA Approved Type 1 Hot Applied or Cold Applied, and installed by HAPAS & BBA Approved installers.

All the materials and products used for these treatments comply with the properties required in Clause 924 - Skid Resistant Surfacing and hold a BBA Type 1 approval.

We use both Type 1 Clause 924 hot applied surface coatings and Type 1 Clause 924 cold applied surface coatings.

All of the installers we use throughout the UK will be approved by HAPAS and BBA so you know the qulaity of works will be second to none. The specification is high quality to meet these accreditations.

If you need any other road markings installed, please get in touch with our team.

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Road Surface Treatments Guidance

The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) has published new guidance on road antiskid resistance policy.

The new road surface treatments guidance for aims to assist highway authorities to formalise processes for monitoring skid resistance, identify roads where lack of grip is a potential issue, prioritise sites for required improvement and ensure that these improvements are incorporated in the annual highway maintenance programme.

By undertaking these actions authorities are able to develop a coherent road skid resistance policy. The procedures forwarded set out a long term strategy on how to manage the skid resistance of a road network to a consistent and safe level.

PSV Anti-Skid Properties

PSV Anti-Skid Properties stands for polished stone value. This is used as there was growing concerns with roads becoming more congested and the relationship between road materials and skid-resistance.

The Polished Stone Value of aggregate gives a measure of resistance to the polishing action of vehicle tyres under conditions similar to those occurring on the surface of a road. 

Calcined bauxite is a manufactured aggregate with exceptional resistance to abrasion caused by vehicle tyres combined with a very high resistance to polishing - polished stone value PSV70+.

Additionally we are able to offer a similar product to the Type 1 but with a lower PSV of 65, this product is ideal for nearby village gateways, hatched areas, speed roundels and cycleways.

But in general for motorways, roads and surrounding areas then the higher the PSV value the better because means the anti skid property is better. The fundamental purpose of the PSV is to enable safer roads to be built.

HFS Cost Effectiveness

Many individuals closest to me ask the question the costs of high friction Surfacing for roadways. Death or serious injury has an immeasurable cost to the victims family and friends.

How can anyone put a cost on someones life? Financially, there are major cost consequences for emergency services, local and national governments.

Police entering the scene of road traffic accidents and ambulances are very costly to the UK. Therefore any preventive measures we can take to prevent accidents surely is a cheap price to pay.

It is estimated that one fatality on a nonmotorway road costs £1.4m and on a motorway £1.7m. High friction surfaces reduced accidents by 57% measured on 34 schemes and delivered a first year rate of return of 352%.

Where is High Friction Surfacing Used?

The High Friction Surface is used for a number of applications including roadways, motorways, bus lanes, towpaths, car parks and bicycle lanes.

The cycle tracks and lanes are popular now because cycling in growing as a sport in the UK and decdicated routes are being provided. Bus routes are growing also because faster public trasnport is key for the UK government.

The use of the antiskid flooring on roads are approaching crossings, roundabouts, lane exits or entrances.

For walkways and pathways it is ideal to ramps and steps to improve the anti slip properties. The High Friction Surfacing draws your attention to a change in environment and foucuses the brain to think of potential hazards.

This lowers the risk of accidents and serves it purpose well hence the use of colourful specification.

All of our anti-skid road surfacing treatments are completed within your timescale and budget restraints whilst maintaining the top rated customer service and the highest standards of quality.

If you are thinking of having these materials installed in  then fill in the contact box and we will gladly assist you get this completed.

Best Skid Resistant Surfacing Installers Near Me

It is a bold statement to make but we honestly believe we are the best skid resistant surfacing installers and can provide the highest quality installations at great prices.

We challenge you to enquire with us because would love your honest feedback on whether the quotes we provide are competitive.

We only use the premium materials so you might not receive the cheapest quote but certainly on a like for like basis with products used we should not be beaten on price.

Our team https://www.markingcontractors.co.uk/ receive great costs from all our suppliers so very confident to pass on a quote you could not refuse.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is High Friction Surfacing Installed?

The installation process involves mixing a thin layer of agreegate with binder and paint.

The treatment can be applied using a a roller or paint brush.

How Long Does HFS Last?

High friction surfacing can be effective up to 10 years with maintenance.

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Looking for hot applied or cold applied, HAPAS approved, high friction surfacing for road safety? 

Fill in the contact form today to see if you agree with our bold statement of being the best installers of high friction surfacing and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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