ODOT Evaluates Winter Pothole Patching Methods – Infrared Repairs Most Effective

ODOT Evaluates Winter Pothole Patching Methods

The Ohio Department of Transportation has released a report that evaluates the performance and cost-effectiveness of the tow-behind combination infrared asphalt heater/reclaimer patching method and compares it to the throw and roll and spray injection methods.

The results of the cost analyses showed that the infrared method can be more cost-effective than the spray injection method when used for winter pothole patching. For short term repairs, the throw and roll method was found to cost less than the infrared method if the user cost were not considered.

Bottom line results:

• The infrared patches had significantly better performance than those installed using the two other patching methods.
• The results of survivability analyses also indicated that the patches installed using infrared had much longer expected life than those installed using the other two considered methods.
• The results of the cost analyses showed that the infrared method can be more cost-effective than the spray injection method when used for winter pothole patching.
• For short term repairs, the throw and roll method was found to cost less than the infrared method if the user cost were not considered. However, for permanent repairs, the infrared method can be more cost effective than throw and roll method.
• In summary, the tow-behind infrared heater/reclaimer was found to be an efficient and cost effective method for patching certain types of potholes as well as performing other pavement repairs.
• There are several infrared asphalt heaters/reclaimer systems available in the market. Based on the comparison that was conducted in this study between the three main infrared asphalt heaters/reclaimer systems, the KASI Minuteman was found to be most suitable

No question that IR costs more upfront.  On page 83, however, this report quantifies City of Roanoke’s in-house anecdotal experience regarding IR patch longevity: “the results of the statistical survivability analysis showed that the infrared patches are expected to survive at least 14 times the expected life of throw and roll and spray injection patches.”

View the full 118 page report here: http://ht.ly/udtUV

March 4, 2014 | Categories: Government, Gray Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Local, Public Works, Roanoke, State, Technology | Tags: Asphalt, Asphalt Reclaimer, Construction and Maintenance, Infrared Asphalt Repair, Infrared Repair, Infrastructure Investment, KASI, ODOT, Pothole, Pothole Repair, Public Works, Ray-Tech, Roanoke, Street Maintenance, Streets, Technology | Leave a comment