20 Years of Research on Asphalt Reinforcement – Achievements and Future Needs

Abstract

A proper road network is crucial for the economy. For the primary system, the motorways, this implies that its usage should be safe, the arteries should be spread around the economic centres and there should be an undisrupted traffic flow. For the secondary system, the rural roads, this implies that the width and bearing capacity should be such that there are no limitations for the distribution of goods.

The basis of the primary road network has been built. The focus is now on maintenance. Due to the increased cargo weight per truck axle, the introduction of super-single tyres, the growing traffic and the political difficulties to achieve widening of roads, the individual layers of pavement structures are degrading at a faster rate, while there is no time frame left to do structural maintenance. Also there is the desire that pavements should last longer and when a treatment on a specific jobsite is necessary, it should be carried out in a short(er) period of time. Furthermore, maintenance intervals should become more accurately predictable, so they can be planned better in combination with other works on for instance bridges, safety barriers, traffic management infrastructure, etc. With respect to the rural roads, it has become clear that because of the reduced budgets, more cost-effective ways to upgrade pavements are needed.

From the foregoing it can be concluded that there is a clear need for reliable, robust and cost-effective (structural) maintenance technologies, such as the (right) use of grids in asphalt layers.