Blastrac System Used at Friction Workshop

International registrants who attended the 2013 International Friction Workshop, hosted by the Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute from May 13 to 16 at Penn State, were shown Blastrac’s 2-4800DH Ride-On Shot Blasting System and its effective surface preparation technology. The workshop is part of a research initiative to revise existing American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications for the calibration and quality assurance of continuous friction measuring devices. Research is warranted due to the number of friction measurement devices used today for the assessment of surface conditions on highways and airports is numerous, with a significant number of design and operational differences. ASTM governs most of the standards under which this equipment operates.

Josh Jones, Blastrac’s transportation market manager, was more than happy to put on a live demonstration when contacted by the Larson Institute. This surface prep machine strips, cleans and profiles simultaneously improving skid resistance by enhancing micro/macro textures. The 2-4800DH has a 48-inch blast pattern cleaning path that offers great efficiency.

Surf Prep Inc. of Milwaukee, Wis., was instrumental in delivery and supplied a 2-4800DH from their working fleet so that it would be available for demonstration. You can find out more about Surf Prep, Inc. by visiting http://www.surfprep.com. The Larson Institute conducts a range of driver and vehicle research at its test track facility, from driver perception and reaction to vehicle and barrier crash testing. For additional information about the institute visit http://www.larson.psu.edu. To read The Larson Institute story in Penn State News go to: http://news.psu.edu/story/277142/2013/05/16/public-events/larson-institute-hosts-international-friction-workshop. Blastrac has a history of working with academia such as the University of Oklahoma, Iowa State and Chico State in developing pavement surface preparation and striving for more training programs, educational material and presentations to academia and the business world. If you or your institute would like more information please contact Josh Jones at josh.jones@blastrac.com.