A roadway’s open-graded friction course (OGFC) is defined as “a thin, permeable layer of asphalt that incorporates a skeleton of uniform aggregate size with a minimum of fines.” This type of pavement has been used to improve the surface frictional resistance of asphalt pavements for over 60 years throughout the United States.

This course is an introduction to today’s roadway open-graded friction courses. Participants will be given an in-depth look at the principles and potential trade-offs to be considered when selecting and designing OFGCs. By combining this course material with work experience and engineering judgment, the participant may produce plans beneficial to the traveling public.

At the conclusion of this course, the learner will: 

• Become familiar with the benefits of OGFC      
• Learn the safety aspects
• Recognize noise reduction features
• Understand higher costs and longer life cycles of OGFC
• Know OGFC limitations
• Be familiar with past problems
• Learn current uses of OGFC
• Become acquainted with State and European designs