India, Oct. 28 -- A busy bridge in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, became a recurring trouble spot for drivers, especially when rain or ice reduced the road surface's grip. In the years before 2012, more than 54 crashes were recorded at the location, prompting transportation officials to look for a solution that could improve safety without shutting down a major urban interstate.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) applied a high-friction surface treatment (HFST) to the bridge in June 2012, dramatically increasing the measured skid resistance. Within the following year, the site recorded only four crashes.

The project was carried out on a five-in-one bridge complex spanning the Cedar ...