Highways England started work on a 10 mile stretch of the A1(M) southbound carriageway back in July 2019 and the groundbreaking method utilises the existing road surface - recycling it and mixing it with fresh bitumen and cement before relaying it immediately. Such a method is obviously great for the environment as it reuses the broken road matter to make the new surface, the method they’re using is also faster to lay than other traditional methods and produces much less waste with 60% less waste heading to landfill.
The process was first rolled out back in 2016 and now after refinement lets hope the resurfacing will be much quicker and cause less disruption. It also means the road surface should remain sound for around 20 years!
Read more: "Pioneering" resurfacing system is being used on the A1 in Yorkshire.
What does this mean for business?
Because the process is faster it will mean the resurfacing should be finished much quicker resulting in much less disruption to drivers/deliveries etc.
Longevity
The new road surface lasts much longer than other methods of resurfacing meaning the road shouldn’t need work for another 20 years.
Less Tyre Replacements
The new surface is much smoother it will cause much less wear on vehicle tyres meaning drivers can do more miles before having to replace their tyres.
Fewer Vehicle Repairs
Again, the new smoother surface causes much less wear on your vehicle meaning less repairs will be needed. Will this cause other disruptions to the vehicle industry?
Faster Deliveries
Pot holes, uneven patches and badly maintained roads all add time to our delivery journeys so this new, improved surface will shave precious time off. This means getting your deliveries to destination much quicker and may even reduce costs!
New technology can have such a huge impact on our driving experience and as the industry continues to improve and advance hopefully the future is bright for drivers. We know we need to make huge changes as we become more aware of our fragile environment and at a time where we seem to be taxed heavily for using our vehicles it is great to see some positive steps forward that help both the environment and drivers.
What new tech do you wish was developed to help road users and the environment?