Biomechanical Measurements: Pedestrian Coefficient of Friction

A physical measurement procedure is described for high production data generation and evaluation of the biomechanical coefficient of friction required for a large spectrum of pedestrians involving multiple footwear, substrate, and gait velocities. The testing technique and method of analysis of the collected data can be utilized in evaluation of the biomechanical coefficient of friction for the multiple degrees of freedom of the pedestrian gait model. It is hoped that such a test method will help standardize the collection of force plate data as they relate to shoe-floor interaction. For the range of gait velocities tested the data collected appear to lend support to the hypothesis that a factor of safety exists for the static coefficient of friction (COF) which is set forth in ASTM Designation D 2047 as providing nonhazardous walkway surfaces.