In the highways sector, road resurfacing and construction remains highly dependent on asphalt-based approaches that utilise a high proportion of virgin aggregates and fossil-derived bitumen binders, processed at high temperatures up to 200°C. This results in significant greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1 to 3\. In many local authority scenarios it is estimated that over 80% of the carbon footprint and resource use is linked to materials and resurfacing processes, in agreement with the Unlocking Resource Efficiency Report. For binder courses, Cold Recycled Bound Material (CRBM) provides a proven alternative, capable of incorporating 100% recycled content through ex-situ and in-situ processes. While such CRBM has been successfully deployed in multiple European and UK scenarios, uptake remains relatively limited due to the perceived challenge of balancing performance/durability and carbon footprint, which whilst significantly lower that traditional approaches can still be significant for large resurfacing schemes, particularly for applications requiring high strength and curing rate. To achieve sector-wide adoption, CRBM must become more accessible and deliver net zero outcomes. In contrast, due to dependence on virgin aggregate to meet skid-resistance requirements, decarbonisation of surface courses focusses largely on reducing the process temperature as well as finding less carbon intensive alternatives to the bituminous binder element. No solution with scalability to address the wide range of end-user requirements has yet been widely accepted. In response, this project will realise and validate the lifecycle carbon impacts of a novel material system for complete binder and surface course replacement which overcomes these barriers through inclusion of material additives obtained from biogenic and waste-derived sources.

To produce an industry world-first ‘nano’ emulsion, providing durability that the road-surfacing and maintenance industry required. Properties to include a high bonding quality, smaller bitumen droplets, a long-term stability, controllable viscosity and lower emulsifier to oil ratio.

Public sector spending on highway maintenance and infrastructure construction projects will be rapidly increasing over the coming 5 year period (2016-2021). Although this is great news for industry and the economy, rapidly increasing workloads will put significant strain on resources, which creates natural conflicts with essential health and safety practises. Highway Resource Solutions (HRS) designs and manufacturer’s innovative safety systems for temporary work sites to help alert workers to approaching errant vehicles. In collaboration with Colas, who is a leading provider to the UK Highway Agency, this project proposes a step-change in site safety by researching and trialling a unique in-vehicle Galileo navigation device which identifies hazards and adapts to a changing environment. The new safety platform will improve productivity, whilst improving workforce safety by monitoring approaching vehicles (and their speed), and alerting them of perimeter breeches by errant vehicles. In addition, it will be possible to alert vehicle drivers of overhead cables or structures, preventing potential electrocution or accidental damage to critical infrastructure.

To develop and evaluate microasphalt containing glass fibres giving high resistance to cracking, and establish the capability for further exploitation of glass fibre in pavement applications.