POTHOLE - Durable Pothole Repairs
Overview
Background & policy context:
The main objective of the project POTHOLE is to address the need of road agencies for durable construction and maintenance methods for the repair of damage, which occur after hard winters due to repeated frost-thaw cycles. All European countries are faced with the problem of potholes and how to repair them. Many approaches just deal with repair methods which are durable only on a short-term base and therefore are not cost-effective.
Regarding the immense economic loss due to the damage, the repair of potholes with materials that are only good on a short-term base and, most importantly, the increasing numbers of crashes, injuries and deaths caused by potholes requires an improvement in the methods and techniques. In this context it is not just important to improve the methods and techniques, but also provide the road agencies with some kind of tool which gives them the relevant information and helps them to make sound decisions.
Objectives:
In this project, existing as well as new approaches which target the medium- or long-term repair of potholes will be studied. In a catalogue tests, evaluation methods and experiences according to existing European Standards will be listed to give road agencies an overview of the possibilities for the repair of potholes. Furthermore, the testing of techniques and the use of materials from already existing trial sites will be used to determine laboratory testing which can or should be used to be able for the correct testing of materials for this purpose.
The gained knowledge, including the European experiences, will be used to develop guidelines for road agencies to enhance their maintenance needs, allowing them to select a repair technique and/ or material with a durability corresponding to the estimated lifetime of the existing pavement. The great advantage of this approach is the corporation of seven countries which ensures that many views and experiences throughout Europe are considered. This also means a great help for the implementation of the results at the end of the project, as all partners can use their national contacts within the national road agencies and provide them with the developed guidelines on a direct basis.
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