Total UK Highways England and Tarmac launch bitumen trial

By Dominic Ellis
Long trial involving Highways England and Tarmac will assess Total Styrelf Long Life's resistance to weather and oxidisation...

A new bitumen binder from Total which aims to increase the lifespan of roads and reduce the need for roadworks is being put to the test in a long-term study.

Total UK has partnered with Highways England and Tarmac to resurface a busy section of the A43 dual carriageway near Silverstone, in Northamptonshire, with Total Styrelf Long Life. Laboratory tests showed the new binder is more resistant to the elements and oxidises more slowly.

Three sections of the road have been surfaced, the first with a standard bitumen, the second with Total Styrelf eXtreme 100 and the third with the Long Life product. But the complexities in tackling the issue are reflected in the length of the trial - which could run up to 15 years. 

Total UK’s experts will take samples from each section of the carriageway at regular intervals to measure the ageing performance and key characteristics of the bitumen, and to understand the degradation caused by oxidation and UV exposure. 

More durable road surfaces that require fewer repairs lead to lower carbon emissions caused by maintenance work, less money needing to be spent on maintenance and less disruption for road users. Providing asphalt to resurface a mile of single lane carriageway, not including transport to site, can produce up to 26.5 tonnes of CO2, the company claims.

undefined

Rick Ashton, market development manager, said: “At Total UK our key focus is Sustainability through Durability. These long-life binders will contribute to achieving clients’ decarbonisation goals by reducing roadworks, saving manufacturing, transport and installation energy, and the associated emissions. This trial paves the way for enhanced highways asset management and predictive deterioration modelling for Highways England.”

England’s motorways and major A-roads are expected to be resurfaced every 10-12 years because water ingress, UV exposure and oxidation cause the surface to deteriorate and crack.

The new technology has previously been tested in the laboratories of Total, and on sections of road in Holland and Germany, but the A43 trial is the first time it has been used worldwide with such high traffic levels.

Mike Wilson, Highways England’s chief highways engineer, said: “We’re always looking for innovative ways to help us keep England’s motorways and major A-roads in good condition. The ultimate priority for us is safety so we invest in new technology and materials to keep those using the roads safe. Longer lasting roads means fewer roadworks, less disruption for motorists and a more sustainable network for everyone.”

Brian Kent, technical director at Tarmac, said it is always pushing to introduce any new technology or innovation that can further improve road durability.   

“What we have in this case is essentially an anti-ageing cream for roads - just as these products are designed to reduce and prevent the signs of fine lines and overall ageing of the skin, the new bitumen being trialled on the A43 will protect the road surface," he said.

"It not only has the potential to offer improved value for money to the public purse, but it also contains properties to increase the overall lifespan of roads. Through preventing cracks to the surface of the road caused by elements such as air and water, the longer life bitumen has the ability to reduce disruption, deliver long-term carbon savings and importantly help network operators to better manage their assets."

Highways England has introduced new technology comprising high-intensity strobe lights, all-weather cameras and drive-over pressure instruments to monitor tyre pressures, tread depth and axle weight of HGVs (click here).  

Last month the Special Fluids Business Unit of Total launched BioLife, a range of renewable, pure and biodegradable isoparaffins, in the UK (click here). 

Share

Featured Articles

Cement Industry key Target of $20bn US Decarbonisation Plan

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the US Department of Energy is to invest $20bn on cleaning up US industries, including cement

Skanska Reshapes its Sustainability Team

Sweden-based sustainable construction company Skanska refreshes its sustainability team 'to better serve client and company goals'

Kingspan Group 'Cuts GHG Emissions by 65%'

Insulation specialist Kingspan Group's sustainability reports says 2023 business-wide ‘internal carbon price’ explains cuts in Scopes 1 & 2 emissions

Dubai Extends Metro as Millions Switch to Public Transport

Construction Projects

New construction contracts released for HS2 UK rail project

Construction Projects

How to lead a successful EDI migration process

Construction Projects