Abstract: Skid resistance was one of the most important properties of asphalt pavements Based on the analyses of characteristics of asphalt pavement and mechanism of tire -road friction , the effects of topography on skid resistance of asphalt pavements was discussed using theories of tires , viscoelasticity and rubber friction The following results were acquired Skid resistance of asphalt pavements was affected by the height and density of aggregates forming macro -texture and the height , density , sharpness of asperities forming micro -texture Asphalt pavements had better skid resistance as the height and density of aggregates were bigger The bigger the height and density of asperities , the better skid resistance of asphalt pavements Asphalt pavements with sharp asperities had better skid resistance than those with blunt asperities