Zhuozhou tianpeng recently conducted an on‑site equipment training session at Politeknik Keselamatan Transportasi Jalan (PKTJ), Indonesia, focusing on the operation, commissioning, testing process, and data management of the Continuous Friction Tester. The training combined equipment demonstration with practical technical discussion, helping the participants better understand both the working principle of the equipment and its application in pavement testing.
This training also demonstrates an important part of Zhuozhou tianpeng’s service capability: we provide not only testing equipment, but also professional technical training to help customers understand, operate, and apply the equipment correctly in real testing work.
Continuous Friction Tester for Pavement Skid Resistance Evaluation
Road surface friction is an important factor in pavement safety. The friction performance of asphalt and cement concrete pavements directly affects vehicle control, braking, and overall driving safety. For this reason, continuous measurement of pavement friction can provide useful technical information for pavement inspection, maintenance, and road performance assessment.
The Continuous Friction Tester supplied by Zhuozhou tianpeng is designed to measure the transverse force coefficient, also known as the sideway force coefficient (SFC), of road surfaces. The equipment is suitable for testing asphalt pavement and cement concrete pavement, and the measurement results can be used as a reference for pavement acceptance and the assessment of pavement anti‑skid performance during service.
Unlike equipment that performs measurements at individual fixed points, the Continuous Friction Tester is designed for continuous testing while being towed by a vehicle. This makes it suitable for obtaining friction information along a road section and observing changes in pavement friction over distance.
How the Continuous Friction Tester Works
During testing, the trailer is towed by a vehicle while the test wheel contacts the pavement under controlled conditions. A water film of approximately 0.5–1 mm is maintained between the test wheel and the road surface.
The test wheel is positioned at a specific angle relative to the direction of travel. As the vehicle moves forward, this creates a transverse force perpendicular to the driving direction. A high‑precision force sensor measures this force, which is then processed by the computer system to obtain the transverse force coefficient.
At the same time, a high‑resolution encoder records the distance travelled. The system combines friction, distance, speed, and temperature information so that the test results can be associated with the corresponding road position.
This measurement principle allows the equipment to generate continuous information rather than relying only on isolated measurement points.
The on‑site commissioning session focused on making sure the equipment and its measurement system were correctly prepared before practical testing.
Integrated Testing and Monitoring System
The Continuous Friction Tester is composed of a testing trailer, electronic control system, industrial computer, laptop, water film thickness control system, and infrared temperature measurement system.
The water supply system plays an important role in maintaining stable test conditions. The water flow can be adjusted according to the vehicle speed so that the required water film thickness is maintained during testing. The system can also monitor the test wheel and water film through video, while road temperature is detected in real time and used for temperature compensation.
The equipment supports a test speed range from 20 km/h to 100 km/h, with a normal test speed of approximately 50 km/h according to the equipment documentation. The transverse force coefficient range is 0–100, while the specified friction test accuracy is ±2%.
These functions make the system suitable for continuous pavement friction testing where road condition, distance, speed, temperature, and friction measurements need to be considered together.
Practical Training on Equipment Operation and Testing Procedures
At Politeknik Keselamatan Transportasi Jalan, Zhuozhou tianpeng's training focused not only on explaining the equipment, but also on helping the participants understand the complete operating procedure.
For professional testing equipment, understanding the product specifications is only the first step. Correct preparation, equipment adjustment, test operation, data collection, and post‑test processing are all important for obtaining meaningful results. Zhuozhou tianpeng therefore combines product introduction with practical operation during customer training.
Equipment Commissioning Before Testing
Before starting a measurement, the test wheel needs to be installed and kept in the raised position while the vehicle is moved to the appropriate starting position. The test wheel, water supply system, and instrument status are then checked before the actual measurement begins.
During the Indonesia training, the participants were able to observe this preparation process and discuss the functions of the different components with Zhuozhou tianpeng's technical personnel.
The training also covered the adjustment of the test wheel and the water supply system. The equipment documentation specifies that the test wheel can be raised or lowered through an electric push rod, while the water pump and water flow are controlled according to the testing speed.
This practical approach helps users understand not only what to operate, but also why each operation is required before testing.
Technical discussion around the equipment gave the participants an opportunity to understand its structure, operating principle, and practical testing requirements.
Training on Continuous Measurement and Data Collection
The training also introduced the complete measurement sequence.
Once the vehicle reaches the starting point at the specified test speed, the operator starts the measurement through the software. During testing, the software displays the measurement status and curves in real time. After reaching the end point, the operator stops the test and the collected data is automatically saved.
This allows the participants to understand how the physical testing process is connected with digital data acquisition.
The software can display and record road position, speed, temperature, and transverse force coefficient. It can also generate continuous curves showing changes in transverse force coefficient and speed along the tested section.
After testing, users can enter the data processing interface to review the transverse force coefficient for different mileage sections. The results can also be exported to Excel for further analysis and reporting.
For institutions involved in road engineering education, research, and testing, this combination of equipment operation and data processing is particularly important because it connects field measurement with subsequent technical analysis.
Zhuozhou tianpeng's Equipment Training Capability for International Customers
The Indonesia training also reflects Zhuozhou tianpeng's broader approach to international technical service.
As a manufacturer and supplier of construction and road testing equipment, Zhuozhou tianpeng understands that supplying a machine is only one part of a successful project. Different testing instruments involve different operating procedures, measurement principles, calibration requirements, software functions, and application conditions. Customers therefore often need technical guidance after receiving the equipment.
Zhuozhou tianpeng can provide training based on the actual equipment supplied to the customer. Training can cover equipment structure, operating procedures, commissioning, testing methods, software operation, data processing, and routine technical questions.
From Equipment Delivery to Practical Application
For the Continuous Friction Tester, training can begin with the structure and working principle of the system.
Participants can first learn how the trailer, test wheel, force measurement system, distance measurement system, water supply system, temperature measurement system, and computer system work together. They can then move to practical commissioning and testing procedures.
This approach helps reduce the gap between receiving the equipment and being able to use the equipment independently.
The equipment manual also includes procedures for system calibration, including friction coefficient calibration, pressure and mileage calibration, wheel diameter calibration, and speed correction. The documentation specifies that system calibration parameters should only be modified by professionals after appropriate testing.
During technical training, these functions can be explained according to the customer's actual requirements, allowing users to better understand which parameters are related to measurement accuracy and which operations should be performed by trained personnel.
Supporting Customers Through Technical Communication
Effective training is also an opportunity for technical communication.
During an on‑site session, customers can directly discuss questions about equipment operation, road testing conditions, data interpretation, and practical applications with Zhuozhou tianpeng's technical personnel. At the same time, Zhuozhou tianpeng can better understand the customer's testing environment and application requirements.
This two‑way communication is particularly valuable for specialized road testing equipment because field conditions may differ from laboratory conditions. Practical training allows technical questions to be discussed directly around the actual equipment.
On‑site technical communication helps connect the equipment's technical functions with the customer's actual testing and research requirements.
Building Customer Capability Through Professional Training
For Zhuozhou tianpeng, international equipment supply is not limited to delivering products. The goal is to help customers make full use of the equipment they purchase.
The training at Politeknik Keselamatan Transportasi Jalan is one example of this approach. By combining equipment demonstration, commissioning, operating instruction, testing procedures, software explanation, and technical discussion, Zhuozhou tianpeng provides customers with a more complete technical service experience.
For educational institutions, laboratories, road agencies, contractors, and engineering organizations, professional training can also make it easier for different users to understand the same equipment and follow consistent testing procedures.
Connecting Product Technology with Real Testing Needs
The Continuous Friction Tester provides an integrated solution for continuous pavement friction measurement. It combines transverse force measurement, distance measurement, water film control, temperature detection, monitoring, and software‑based data processing in one testing system.
However, the value of these functions depends on correct operation. Proper preparation of the test wheel, water supply, vehicle speed, measurement process, and data processing all contribute to a successful test.
This is why Zhuozhou tianpeng places increasing importance on technical training as part of its international customer service.
The training brought Zhuozhou tianpeng's technical team together with the PKTJ team for practical equipment learning and technical exchange.
Conclusion: More Than Equipment Supply
The training at Politeknik Keselamatan Transportasi Jalan in Indonesia demonstrates Zhuozhou tianpeng's ability to provide equipment together with practical technical training.
From understanding the working principle of the Continuous Friction Tester to commissioning the equipment, carrying out continuous pavement friction measurements, operating the software, and processing test data, the training was designed to help users understand the complete testing workflow.
For Zhuozhou tianpeng, professional service does not end when equipment is delivered. Through on‑site training and technical communication, we aim to help customers operate their equipment correctly and apply it effectively in their own testing, research, education, and road engineering work.
The Indonesia training is another example of Zhuozhou tianpeng's commitment to providing not only testing equipment, but also the technical knowledge and practical support needed to put that equipment into use.