In partnership with the Australian Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA), ARRB, Austroads and industry, VicRoads is trialling new asphalt technology on sections of the Princes Highway, Dandenong.
The trial’s aim is to ensure better long term asphalt performance. Seven trial asphalt sections are being tested for durability.
The trial began in 2007 and is expected to conclude in late 2009. VicRoads continues to monitor the site, and information about the trial will be available in an Austroads report.
This area of Princes Highway was planned for resurfacing works in 2007. The resurfacing of roads is undertaken to protect the pavement from water ingress and reduces damage – this means the road is maintained in good shape.
The 1200 metre trial area is on the Princes Highway, Dandenong, between Clow Street and Gladstone Road across all three Melbourne-bound lanes (Melway Ref: 90 C5).
The lane widths and continuous traffic volumes make it an ideal site to test the road surface durability. Testing asphalt requires a significant loading (stress) to ensure the new asphalt is performing well. Motorists are providing the stress by driving over the area.
Not all of the trial asphalt sections will be ‘high performing’. Tests will be conducted on rutting, roughness and surface texture. ‘Low performing’ trial asphalt sections are monitored for performance and removed once data is collected. Laboratory and field tests will provide real-life performance information about the new asphalt.
VicRoads undertakes shape and ride quality testing using a specially-built roughness device. This device uses lasers to take readings from the road. The equipment is mounted on a normal car and tests the road at normal traffic speeds. The equipment makes no noise and cannot be seen by other motorists or pedestrians.
VicRoads is also cutting, removing and replacing samples from the new surface for performance testing.
Regular testing and monitoring will be conducted at night or on weekends, and is expected to have little impact on residents.
Please contact the Senior Pavement Technology Engineer on (03) 9881 8928.