Cedar Grove Rd – Bobtown Bridge, Houma, Louisiana
Improving safety with High Friction Surface Treatments
Learn more about High Friction Surface Treatment >- Houma, Louisiana
- HFST
Summary
In early 2025, WJ Surface Treatments completed a High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) project for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) in Houma, Louisiana. The project targeted a two-lane roadway with varying shoulder widths and was delivered using fully automated HFST equipment.
A total of 22,798 square yards were treated over the course of 13 working days. Specialized application vehicles were used to apply resin and aggregate in a single, continuous pass, eliminating the need for manual handling. This method ensured consistent material placement, minimized traffic disruption, and improved worker safety by keeping crews out of live travel lanes.
22,798 yd²
HFST Installed
13 Days
For Installation
Fully Automated
Installation Process
Objectives
This project supported LaDOTD’s commitment to delivering safer roads across the state and aligned closely with the mission of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC), which aims to reduce traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries through targeted safety interventions.
HFST plays a key role in addressing crash risks caused by roadway and environmental conditions. By increasing the friction between tires and pavement, HFST helps prevent loss-of-control incidents, particularly during wet weather or sudden braking. It is especially effective at locations with high crash potential, including curves, intersections, and areas with limited visibility.
For LaDOTD, this project offered a way to proactively reduce crash risk using a proven, engineering-led treatment with measurable safety benefits.
Challenges
The project presented several delivery challenges. Shoulder widths varied significantly along the route, requiring careful calibration of equipment and real-time coordination between field teams to maintain full and even coverage. Surface preparation had to be adjusted throughout the process to suit the changing geometry.
In addition, the project was delivered in a coastal region of southern Louisiana, where shifting weather conditions such as sudden rainfall and high humidity can impact material handling and cure times. Our crews closely monitored weather forecasts and adapted the work schedule to make the most of favorable windows.
The use of fully automated HFST equipment proved essential. This system allowed materials to be applied quickly, accurately, and safely without requiring operatives to manually spread aggregate or work close to live traffic. The result was a safer, faster, and more consistent installation process.
Results
The HFST was installed successfully across 22,798 square yards of roadway in just 13 working days. The automated process ensured a high-quality finish, even across areas with varying widths, and minimized the need for lane closures or extended traffic control.
HFST is a proven safety treatment. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), crash rates at HFST-treated sites can be reduced by up to 52 percent. For Louisiana, where contributing factors like speeding and loss of control are common causes of severe crashes, the impact of these targeted safety upgrades can be significant.
This project reflects LaDOTD’s proactive approach to roadway safety by using data, engineering, and innovative technology to reduce crash potential and improve outcomes for drivers across the state. Following the successful installation inspection, the High Friction Surface Treatment section was also tested using AASHTO T 242 (Ribbed Tire Lock Wheel Testing). As a DOTD Standard minimum requirement of 65, the application far exceeded the minimum at an average of 84. Along with AASHTO T 242, DOTD standards also require ASTM 1911 (Dynamic Friction Testing). Minimum requirements for ASTM 1911 is 0.9. As the same results of the Ribbed Tire Lock Wheel Testing, the DFT testing far surpassed the minimum at an average of .967.
This project is a great example of how modern surface treatment methods can make a real difference, quickly and safely. Our fully automated HFST systems not only speed up delivery, they also improve the safety of both the public and our teams. We’re proud to support Louisiana’s efforts to build a safer road network.
Glenn Thompson, President, WJ Surface Treatments LLC