title: Assessment of walkway tribometer readings in evaluating slip resistance: a gait-based approach.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the viability of using slip risk (as quantified during human subject walking trials) to create a reference standard against which tribometer readings could be compared. First, human subjects (N=84) were used to rank objectively the slipperiness of three different surfaces with and without a contaminant (six conditions). Second, nine tribometers were used to independently measure and rank surface slipperiness for all six conditions. The slipperiness ranking determined from the walking trials was considered the reference against which the tribometer measurements were compared. Our results revealed that only two of the nine tribometers tested (Tortus II and Mark III) met our compliance criteria by both correctly ranking all six conditions and differentiating between surfaces of differing degrees of slipperiness. These findings reinforce the need for objective criteria to ascertain which tribometers effectively evaluate floor slipperiness and a pedestrian's risk of slipping.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Department Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 E. Alacazar St., CHP-155, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9006, USA. powers@usc.edu
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Brault
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stefanou
authors.forename: Yi-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Gunter P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Siegmund
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D017276:Friction; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety; D013499:Surface Properties