Citation

Skorseth K. Am. City Cty. 2000; 115(1): 6 p..

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Penton Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

By determining which pavement repair techniques are best for local problems, officials can maintain city and county streets safely and efficiently. The Strategic Highway Research Program determined in its 1991 study of patching methods that spray injection is the most effective method of repairing potholes because of a longer patch life. Spray injection does not require intensive labor and support equipment and is accomplished via a towed unit or truck-mounted machine. Repair materials are as important as the equipment chosen for repairs. The use of high-performance, proprietary mixes is becoming routine in many areas, especially in cold regions of the country; but conventional cold-mixed asphalt is still used in many places. However, it must be used quickly after being mixed. The use of a "hot trailer" can improve the performance of cold mix. Application of the asphalt makes a difference in the quality of the repair: 50% of patch performance is tied to good workmanship. After potholes, rutting and roughness are the bane of the street repair worker. For an aging pavement that has slowly developed rutting over 15 years, a simple thin overlay can restore the profile and extend pavement life. Premature rutting in pavements is a much more serious problem that is not so easily solved. Extensive pavement damage requires far-reaching solutions. Simply removing the loose material and patching major pavement breakups is almost always a bad idea. While it pays to evaluate new products and methods as they become available, buying good materials and handling the job with skill and good workmanship will always be important for success.