What if I told you, that you could add 5 years of extra life to your roads? Would you do it?
We know that when roads last longer, infrastructure money goes further. This is a very important topic given the vast amount of dollars that are invested in America’s roads and bridges every year. With the passage of H.R.3684, or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), these investments are expected to significantly increase in the next five years.
By reviewing projects from more than 6 years ago, we will show how future projects can be constructed with the goal of adding at least 5 years of extra life to your roads by investing in a proven technology, VRAM.
2023 Project Review
Owner: ODOT
Applicator: Road Fabrics
Prime: Gerken
Location: US-20 in Lucas County; Swanton OH (Starts at Fulton/Lucas County line and goes east)
Date Constructed: 10-18-2016
Date Reviewed: 2-7-2023
Weather Conditions Day of Review: Cloudy, cool with temperatures at 50°F.
Test Section vs Control Section
As with many well-controlled studies, it is important to compare and contrast a test section with that of a control section. In this particular case, the control section will show the project results to date without the variable of VRAM. The test section used VRAM and will show the results to date of this section.
Control Section (No VRAM)
This project includes both a west control section and an east control section. Both sections have been crack sealed. They both show signs of longitudinal cracking off the centerline that has not been crack sealed. The two sections of control are on US-20 from mile marker 0.00 to mile marker 2.11 and from mile marker 6.11 to mile marker 8.02.
NOTE: These pictures were taken by Chad Crosby of Asphalt Materials on February 7, 2023. Both the test and control sections were constructed in October of 2016.
Test Section (with VRAM)
The test section of this project is 4 miles in length. The test section on US-20 in Lucas County, Ohio is from mile marker 2.11 to mile marker 6.10.
Test Section: VRAM used at time of construction.
Asphalt Materials – VRAM Experience Since 2002
At Asphalt Materials, we understand that longitudinal joint deterioration has long been a problem for engineers, applicators and the communities we live in. Collaboration between state transportation agencies, industry experts, and the laboratories at Heritage Research Group, VRAM was developed to help create longer-lasting, safer roads.
Unlike other treatments, VRAM, a Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane significantly reduces air voids in longitudinal joints. J-Band® is Asphalt Materials’ VRAM product. J-Band is a materials approach, applied prior to paving under the eventual location of the longitudinal joint. It migrates upward, fills voids, and reduces permeability as the hot mix is installed on top of it. Since 2002, this approach has improved the performance of centerline joints and entire pavements in more than 21 states.
J-Band® is a product of Asphalt Materials, Inc. and was created in the labs of Heritage Research Group. To learn more about J-Band, or to connect with our team, you can email us at: Marketing@Asphalt-Materials.com.
