Innovative surfacing technology: performance on the road

Constrained budgets limiting resurfacing treatment lengths has encouraged substantial investment by industry in new developments and innovation, in order to extend the road maintenance budget. This paper discusses recent innovations, new technology and current projects that are specifically targeted at the next generation of pavements, for a wide range of areas covering environmental (e.g. emulsions, low-noise surfacings, and greater use of recycled materials), developments in surfacing materials, maintenance and construction practices, and other related topic areas. Modern computer-controlled sprayers have been developed to apply bitumen at rates that vary transversely across the lane width and are being used when sprayed seal surfaces have insufficient macrotexture in the wheeltracks as well as a preventative measure for binder rise in the future. Ultra high-pressure watercutting has been adapted for use on road surfaces, to improve both macrotexture and microtexture of surfacings, to rejuvenate the surface to that of a near new surfacing. Quieter surfacings have been developed that substantially reduce the noise generated at the tyre-road interface. This paper presents results from initial research into these surfacing treatments as well as in-service performance results from 10 years monitoring of other innovative treatments discussed in the paper. Combining the wide range of state-of-the-art surfacing treatments described in this paper with best practice in asset management in a cost effective sealing and maintenance programme has resulted in significant improvements in road safety, while also ensuring the required performance of the pavements. The paper concludes with the author’s vision of the next generation of cost effective, smarter pavements.

• Authors:
  • Pidwerbesky, B
• Conference:
  • International Public Works Conference, 2013, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
• Publication Date: 2013-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 7p
• Monograph Title: Public works: explore new territory: IPWEA International Public Works Conference, Darwin, NT, 11-15 August 2013

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Costs; Field tests; Highway maintenance; Highways; Maintenance; Pavements; Seal coats; Surface course (Pavements); Surfacing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road design and asset management
• Geographic Terms: New Zealand
• ATRI Terms: Field test; Road costs; Road maintenance; Road surface properties; Sprayed seal
• ITRD Terms: 2973: Sealing coat (on top of the surfacing); 2980: Wearing course
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01495610
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 17 2013 10:09AM