Challenges of Increasing Traffic Loads and Limited Funding for Road Repairs

Worldwide road traffic is steadily increasing, and regulations are allowing higher axle loads for trucks and higher speeds for cars. Consequently, distress and related damages to road surfaces are on the rise, while government funding for road repairs remains limited. These trends highlight the need for superior road pavements that can handle heavier loads and require less frequent maintenance and reconstruction.

Conventional asphalt technologies are insufficient to meet these requirements. As a result, new asphalt technologies such as Micro Surfacing, Slurry Seal, Chip Seal, and Polymer Modified Asphalt have been developed. By incorporating polymers into bitumen, these technologies offer opportunities for improved asphalt binders and innovative pavement designs. These advancements aim to enhance the durability, load-carrying capacity, and longevity of road surfaces, thereby reducing maintenance needs and costs.

Implementing these new asphalt technologies can help address the challenges posed by increased road traffic and limited funding for repairs. They provide potential solutions for constructing roads that can withstand heavier loads and endure longer intervals between maintenance and reconstruction work.