Analysis of braking marks left by vehicles equipped with ABS with IR spectroscopy – different types of asphalt

Detailed analysis of literature showed that there is no method that can be used in order to investigate skid marks left by vehicles equipped with ABS. Authors decided to identify braking trace by using IR spectroscopy. Preliminary studies have been performed and results were promising. Due to that fact authors decided to conduct detailed research where the influence of various factors on the possibility of revealing breaking traces would be taken into account. This article is the first in a series of articles taking into account the influence of various factors on the possibility of revealing breaking marks using IR spectroscopy. In this article the influence of the type of asphalt was studied. Authors conducted tests with the most popular types of asphalts used for the wearing course. 100 samples from 5 different types of asphalt were prepared. Each sample was measured 3 times to create its spectrum. The results were analyzed thoroughly using the dedicated SpectraGryph software. The analysis showed that for 4 out of 5 types of tested asphalt, the braking traces were visible at a wavelength of approximately 11 500 nm. Only for the rubberized asphalt there weren’t possibility to reveal skid mark.