High Friction Surfacing: A Guide

High friction surfacing, otherwise known as HFS or anti-skid surfacing is a cost-effective way to improve the skid-resistance and the safety of roads. In this article, our team of road surfacing experts will explain in more detail the following:

• What high friction surfacing
• QMS HyperGrip™
• How high friction surfacing works
• Where can high friction surfacing be installed?
• Benefits of high friction surfacing

What is high friction surfacing?

High friction surfacing is a type of road surface that has been designed to help reduce the risk of skidding and traffic accidents. Introduced in the 1960s, the anti-skid road material was designed to slow down vehicles, resulting in shorter braking times. Instead of traditional smooth tarmac road surfaces, in areas of high traffic or an increased risk of collisions, anti-skid surfacing is installed.

Additional line markings can then be installed on top of the high friction surfacing, to provide road users with further information.

QMS HyperGrip™

Having worked in the road surfacing and line marking industry since QMS began in 2001, at QMS we knew that the anti-skid treatment being used often didn’t last as long as it should, or would take a long time to cure. To counteract this, QMS created a brand-new, perfect anti-skid surfacing treatment solution – QMS HyperGrip™. While most anti-skid treatments start to crack or take a long time to cure, QMS HyperGrip™ was developed to be the solution to all of those pain points and more.

QMS HyperGrip™ is:

• Fast curing – can be installed quickly and efficiently and fit around timetables
• Durable – unlike traditional high-friction surfacing, QMS HyperGrip™ is long-lasting and will not crack or shift
• Attractive – at QMS, we pride ourselves on creating tailored solutions, which is why our HyperGrip™ is available in a range of colours to best suit your needs

How does high friction surfacing work?

QMS HyperGrip™ and all high friction surfacing work by creating an increased level of friction against a vehicle and the road surface. The anti-skid material is designed to be highly fractious and provides 1000s of contact points between the vehicle’s tyres and the road surface, helping them come to a slower and safer stop.

As a vehicle enters the anti-skid road area, the car needs to increase the amount of energy and power to maintain its speed. When slowing down at a junction or roundabout, the high friction surfacing helps the car reduce its speed and therefore reduces the braking force and time. Allowing the driver to maintain control and stop the vehicle safely.

High friction, thanks to its contrasting colours and textures to standard roads, also works to increase visibility during both the day and at night.

Where can high friction surfacing be installed?

Traditionally, QMS HyperGrip™ and other high friction materials are installed in areas where there is an increase risk of collisions, including:

• Junctions
• Pedestrian crossings
• Roundabout approaches
• Cycle and bus lanes
• Fast bends
• Across bridges and other narrow or increased-risks roads

However, with QMS, our team can install our award-winning surface treatment on any surface, with a service that is tailored to your requirements.

Benefits of installing high friction surfacing

High friction surfacing offers a wide range of benefits, including;

• Creating safer driving conditions – installed in areas of high collision rates, helps to create safer driving conditions. To reduce the number of accidents and potential injuries and fatalities for drivers, pedestrians and other road users.
• Improve road efficiency – reduced collisions and braking times, road efficiency is greatly improved, allowing vehicles to navigate roads safely without traffic being held up
• Improved road conditions – reducing the speed of traffic, partnered with the increased durability of QMS HyperGrip™, road conditions deteriorate at a slower rate
• Fast installation time – thanks to QMS HyperGrip™ fast curing time, it can be installed quickly, with minimal impact on road users

Install QMS HyperGrip™ high friction surfacing solutions

Interested in updating or improving your existing high friction surfacing solutions? Our expert team at QMS are on hand to assist. Whether you’re looking for highway, walkways or anything in between, we have the solution for you. You can browse our full range of surfacing services here.

For more information, or to book your free, no-obligation site visit, contact us today at, info@qms.uk or call us on 01626 836777 and we will be more than happy to chat through your options.