AS 4049.4 is the Australian Standard for pavement surface skid resistance — field measurement. It covers the methods used to measure the wet skid resistance of in-service pavement surfaces using portable and machine-based skid resistance testers.

Road & Skid Resistance Testing | Q704 AS 4049.4

Q: Who commissions road skid resistance testing?

Testing is typically commissioned by Queensland Transport and Main Roads (TMR), state Main Roads departments, local councils, construction contractors (for handover compliance), engineering consultants, and legal teams investigating post-accident liability.

Q: What is the difference between AS 4049.4 and AS 4049.2?

AS 4049.4 measures skid resistance — the friction a vehicle tyre experiences on a wet pavement surface. AS 4049.2 measures pavement surface texture depth, which affects how quickly water is expelled from under a tyre. Both are commonly required together for full pavement surface compliance.

Q: Is NATA accreditation required for road skid resistance testing?

Many government and council contracts specify that testing must be performed by a NATA-accredited laboratory. Sliptest holds NATA accreditation No. 15374, and our reports are accepted by TMR, local councils, and state road authorities across Australia.

Why It Matters

Skid resistance saves lives

Road surface skid resistance is a critical safety factor for every road network. A pavement surface that loses friction — through polishing, weathering, or poor specification — increases stopping distances and the risk of vehicle skidding, particularly in wet conditions.

Australian road authorities including Queensland TMR, VicRoads, and Main Roads WA mandate skid resistance testing on new and existing road surfaces as part of quality assurance, construction handover and ongoing road safety programs.

Sliptest Australia holds NATA accreditation No. 15374 for skid resistance and pavement texture testing. Our reports are accepted by TMR and road authorities across Australia and are appropriate for use in construction handover, safety audits, and post-accident investigations.

Standards We Test To

Full compliance across all Australian road testing standards

Q704

Queensland TMR Skid Resistance Specification

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads specification for skid resistance of road surfaces. Required for TMR contracts, state highway works and council roads in Queensland.

MRTS45

TMR Technical Specification — Skid Resistance

The TMR Technical Specification that governs measurement methods, acceptance criteria and reporting requirements for skid resistance of road pavements under Queensland TMR contracts.

AS 4049.4

Pavement Surface Skid Resistance — Field Measurement

The primary Australian Standard for measuring wet skid resistance of in-service pavement surfaces. Covers portable and machine-based measurement methods. Used by road authorities nationwide.

AS 4049.2

Pavement Surface Texture — Field Measurement

Governs the measurement of pavement surface texture depth, which determines water-expulsion capacity under tyres. Required alongside AS 4049.4 for full pavement surface characterisation.

ASTM E1250

Standard for Portable Skid Resistance Testers

The ASTM International standard for portable skid resistance measurement devices. Referenced on international and some Commonwealth infrastructure projects.

ASTM E303

Wet Skid Resistance of Paved Surfaces

Covers determination of wet skid resistance using the British Pendulum Tester on road surfaces. Applicable for specific international and project-specified road testing requirements.

Scope of Testing

What we test and measure

Our road and skid resistance testing covers the full range of pavement surfaces and traffic infrastructure across Australia.

Road surfaces — asphalt, concrete and spray seal (bitumen) pavements

Bikeways & shared paths — including off-road cycle paths and shared pedestrian/cycle routes

Pedestrian bridges & overpasses — bridge deck surfaces and pedestrian walkways

Road line markings — painted and thermoplastic markings at intersections, crossings and bike lanes

Intersection treatments — coloured treatments, raised pavement markers and textured areas

Car parks & driveways — commercial, council and mixed-use pavement surfaces

Bus stations & transit hubs — public transport interchange surfaces and platforms

Airport aprons & runways — where skid resistance certification is required

Specialist Testing

Line marking skid resistance testing

Road line markings — including painted and thermoplastic markings at pedestrian crossings, bicycle crossings and intersection approaches — must maintain adequate skid resistance to prevent slipping, particularly in wet conditions.

Sliptest tests line markings to Q704 and AS 4049.4 using the portable British Pendulum Tester. This is critical for road authorities requiring handover certification that line marking materials meet skid resistance specifications.

We test all common line marking types: standard road paint, thermoplastic markings, cold plastic, and coloured pavement treatments.

Enquire About Line Marking Testing

MARKING TYPES TESTED

Standard road paint (water and solvent-based)
Thermoplastic line markings
Cold plastic markings
Coloured pavement treatments
Raised pavement markers (retroreflective)

Our Clients

Who commissions road skid resistance testing

Queensland TMR

Transport and Main Roads skid resistance and Q704 compliance testing for state road projects.

State Road Authorities

VicRoads, Main Roads WA, DPTI (SA), Transport for NSW and NT Department of Infrastructure.

Local Councils

City and shire councils requiring pavement skid resistance testing on local roads and bikeways.

Construction Contractors

Road construction and maintenance contractors requiring handover compliance certification.

Engineering Consultants

Pavement engineers and consultants requiring independent skid resistance data for design or investigation.

Legal & Insurance

Firms investigating post-accident liability involving road surface condition and skid resistance.

Common Questions

Road & skid resistance testing FAQ

What standards does Sliptest use for road skid resistance testing?

We test to Q704 (Queensland TMR skid resistance specification), MRTS45 (TMR Technical Specification), AS 4049.4 (pavement surface skid resistance — field measurement), AS 4049.2 (pavement surface texture measurement), and ASTM E1250. All testing is performed under NATA accreditation No. 15374.

What is Q704 testing and when is it required?

Q704 is the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads skid resistance specification for road surfaces. It sets minimum skid resistance values for different road categories and is required on TMR-funded state road contracts, as well as many council road projects in Queensland. Q704 testing must be performed by a NATA-accredited laboratory.

What is AS 4049.4 and how is it different from Q704?

AS 4049.4 is the Australian Standard for pavement surface skid resistance field measurement — it specifies the test methods. Q704 is a client specification (Queensland TMR) that references AS 4049.4 as the test method and sets acceptance criteria for different road categories. We use AS 4049.4 methodology across all states; Q704 is specifically for TMR-contract works in Queensland.

Do you test road line markings for skid resistance?

Yes. We test painted and thermoplastic line markings for skid resistance — a critical requirement at pedestrian crossings, bicycle crossings and intersection approaches. Line marking skid resistance is tested using the British Pendulum Tester to Q704 and AS 4049.4, with results compared to the minimum values specified by the relevant road authority.

What is the difference between AS 4049.4 and AS 4049.2?

AS 4049.4 measures skid resistance — the friction a tyre experiences on a wet pavement surface. AS 4049.2 measures pavement surface texture depth, which determines how quickly water is displaced from under a tyre at speed. Both measurements are commonly required together for full pavement surface compliance — texture provides the drainage mechanism, while skid resistance measures the resulting friction.

Is NATA accreditation required for road skid resistance testing?

Many government and council contracts specify NATA-accredited testing. Q704 contracts under TMR require testing by a NATA-accredited laboratory. Sliptest holds NATA accreditation No. 15374, and our reports are accepted by TMR, local councils and state road authorities across Australia.

Do you provide road skid resistance testing outside Queensland?

Yes. While Q704 and MRTS45 are Queensland TMR standards, we test to AS 4049.4 and AS 4049.2 for road projects in all states and territories — including Main Roads WA, VicRoads, DPTI (SA), Transport for NSW, and local councils Australia-wide. Contact us to discuss your specific project and applicable standards.

How quickly can we get road skid resistance test results?

Field testing results are typically available within 24–48 hours of site attendance. We understand that road construction projects operate on tight schedules, and we work to minimise delays between testing and report delivery. Express turnaround is available — contact us to discuss your timeline.

Road & Skid Resistance Testing