Are There Innovative Technologies Improving The Efficiency Of Asphalt Repair?

Blog Home | by on September 4, 2024 in News

Innovation in Paving Technology

Innovations in asphalt paving technologies have changed how we handle maintenance and repairs. From the way we install asphalt to the technologies used to provide maintenance and repairs, asphalt as we know it has seen improvement on all fronts. We are able to use existing and new materials in new ways, create new techniques to produce asphalt, and reduce the energy consumption and emissions that traditional asphalt techniques require. These innovations not only make a difference in the durability of asphalt, but can increase the quality of life around the pavements through reducing the amount of heat asphalt releases producing the heat island effect. Many of the different innovations and improvements in this field have become widely used and are finding their way into pavements across the country.

Recycled Asphalt Pavement

Recycled Asphalt Technology is an innovative technology that takes recycled asphalt pavement materials and creates a new material for pouring new surfaces. This innovative technology takes asphalt that would otherwise be disposed of and allows us to repurpose the materials. This process reduces the materials used for paving roads, driveways, walkways, and more. By repurposing these paving materials the environmental impact of asphalt paving and general maintenance is reduced. Asphalt is made up of different materials, but the aggregates within asphalt are made up of sand, gravel, and crushed stone. By utilizing this recycling technology we are able to reduce the amount of natural materials that are necessary to pour asphalt surfaces. This process can improve efficiency during the manufacturing side as well because creating a completely new mix introduces more emissions requires more energy. By utilizing RAP technologies for maintenance and repairs, pavement professionals can make creating and installing asphalt much more efficient.

Infrared Asphalt Repair Service

Infrared Asphalt Repair is a maintenance service that heats existing asphalt in order to add new asphalt materials and seamlessly bind them together. This process allows us to easily bind existing asphalt with asphalt that has freshly been installed, and allows us to bind recycled asphalt with materials that have already been cured. One of the reasons this repair technique is frequently utilized is time efficiency. The process of infrared asphalt repair is quick, and the surface doesn’t require as much time to cure. Not only can this process repair asphalt with great efficiency, but it can also solve other maintenance problems. Infrared repair can help with adjusting the height of asphalt around drains, can blend seams between existing asphalt and new repairs, help with speed bump installations, and more.

Solar-Reflective Coatings

As a way to improve upon a standard asphalt pavement we recommend solar-reflective coatings. Asphalt does a great job at conducting heat, which has unique benefits like being able to melt snow quickly, however the downside is that asphalt roads often are around ten degrees hotter than a concrete road. Because of this asphalt pavement tends to contribute to what is called the urban heat island effect. This effect has a noticeable impact on urban temperatures, can increase pollution, raise energy costs, and more. With a solar-reflective coating the pavement is able to reflect light from the sun as a way to reduce the heat that is absorbed into the asphalt pavement. This creates a noticeable difference in the environment around the pavement and can reduce overall energy consumption of an area by reducing the higher temperatures that radiate from the ground.

Warm-Mix Asphalt

With Warm-Mix Asphalt we are able to manufacture and install asphalt at significantly lower temperatures compared to the typical asphalt which is a hot mix asphalt. Because this technology is more energy efficient we reduce energy emissions, and are able to pour the asphalt with less risk to the workers. Warm mix pavement also gives us a longer paving window. The Warm mix asphalt also has better compaction and increased workability during the pouring process. Because installation doesn’t require as much energy the warm mix asphalt pouring process doesn’t require as much fuel and can save money on installation costs. With this asphalt pavement technology warm mix asphalt can even be used in cold temperatures which allows more flexibility when scheduling asphalt pavement installations.

Permeable Asphalt Technology

Standard asphalt requires good drainage to ensure that water runoff and moisture doesn’t permeate the topcoat and cause infrastructure problems within the pavement. By utilizing innovative technologies we are able to create a permeable asphalt mix that allows water to penetrate the asphalt, drain, and reduce overall necessary repairs. Pooling stormwater, moisture erosion, and the freeze-thaw cycle can no longer cause major issues with these asphalt paving innovations. A reservoir is installed underneath the pavement that allows water to drain into. This paving technology is commonly used on sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways. Another added benefit is that because water is draining into the reservoir, thick layers of ice are much less likely to form in the winter. Depending on the maintenance schedule of a permeable asphalt surface repairs may be significantly reduced compared to traditional paving technologies.

Asphalt Rejuvenation Innovations

Asphalt rejuvenation treats the surface of existing asphalt pavement. This process is designed to stop asphalt from breaking down by protecting it and increasing the asphalt road’s longevity. This process is perfect for older asphalt surfaces that don’t need to be replaced but could benefit from some revitalizing. Not only does this process help restore the asphalt surface, but it helps with the structural integrity to reduce the necessary repairs. Because the binder in asphalt breaks down overtime, an untreated asphalt surface may begin to develop cracks and in general deteriorate. With asphalt rejuvenation the pavement is stronger, sturdier, and is revived to better handle wear and tear.

Perpetual Pavements

Perpetual pavements are a somewhat unique approach to asphalt roads. The intent behind this paving technology is to pave a road that is so durable that it doesn’t require heavy maintenance. This is achieved by pouring a base layer that is extremely durable and can hold up to high traffic. Typically as these base layers break down from long-term stress fractures, cracks and other symptoms will make their way through the other layers of the asphalt. With perpetual pavements the goal is to simply replace the top layers in order to reduce necessary repairs. Pavements with this deep strength technology are meant to handle stress over long periods and often last longer than 50 years. By replacing the surface and leaving the deep strength base layer the pavement will stay strong and will not require a full replacement for a very long time.

Why Choose Asphalt

An asphalt pavement can last over 2 decades if properly maintained. A professional pavement business will ensure the installation process is handled thoroughly and with care in order to prevent early decay and unnecessary maintenance. Asphalt can be poured quickly and in many circumstances is more durable than concrete. Asphalt also is able to handle fluctuating weight limits giving it an advantage over concrete in certain circumstances.

Protecting Asphalt with Sealcoating

In order to reduce wear and tear on asphalt we provide a sealcoating service. This coating protects the pavement from harmful elements including the weather, UV light, chemicals, natural oxidations, temperature fluctuation, and more. When this coating layer is added on the surface layer of asphalt it creates a barrier that not only protects the asphalt, but makes it more visually appealing and smoother. Sealcoating can be applied to driveways, roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and any other standard asphalt pavement surface. Reach out to learn more about sealcoating.

Asphalt Paving Professionals

As technologies in asphalt pavement services evolve Tolliver & Curl has adapted in order to continue providing premier services for our clients in Central Ohio. By working with asphalt paving professionals you’re ensuring that your pavement is properly installed from the base layer to the surface, and have a team of experts ready to help with general maintenance and repairs throughout the lifespan of your road. With our extensive background in asphalt and concrete pavement we have completed and maintained countless driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and private properties. We provide pavement repairs, general maintenance, sealcoating, pavement pouring and asphalt installations, resurfacing, pothole repairs, and more.

Contact Tolliver & Curl for Asphalt & Concrete Solutions

We serve the community of Central Ohio with our 7 decades of professional pavement experience. From asphalt and concrete pouring to road repairs we offer pavement services to cover any job. We are proud to have pavements across the entire city of Columbus and beyond, creating safe roads, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and more for our community. To learn more about our pavement solution services or to speak with someone about an inspection please call our offices during business hours.