In road maintenance, securing funds for upkeep and improvements is a constant struggle as budgets grow even tighter. That is why it is crucial to protect your pavement early with the use of a rapid penetrating emulsion (RPE) like AMIGUARD™.
Traditionally agencies have waited for oxidation and cracking to occur in new pavements before treating roads with crack or chip seals. Using a treatment like RPE before roads begin to deteriorate can lead to longer-lasting roads. The Dodge County Highway Department recently applied AMIGUARD on seven highways immediately after paving as a preventive treatment.
What is RPE?
RPE is specifically formulated to penetrate interconnected surface voids quickly and thoroughly. Reduced surface tension allows RPE to absorb into the pavement quickly, so drivers can get back on the road sooner.
A key benefit of AMIGUARD RPE is the permanent reduction in surface layer permeability due to surface void penetration. Traditional fog seals, by contrast, cover primarily the surface of a pavement and can be easily worn off with traffic and may also reduce pavement macro-texture.
AMIGUARD is a proactive, preventive technology that can protect your pavements, so you’re not spending more on repairs, maintenance or repaving.
RPE Project in Dodge County, Wisconsin
This project in Dodge County, Wisconsin, exemplifies the benefits of RPE, and showcases the successful collaboration between the Asphalt Materials, Inc. team and the Dodge County Highway Department.
Several of our team members were present including Regional Sales Manager Ken Schakelman and Specialty Products Area Manager Dan Swiertz, as well as members from the Dodge County Highway Department, including Patrol Superintendent Nate Minnig and Highway Commissioner Brian Field.
This project was split over seven different County Trunk Highways, including highways S, W, T, E, two sections of TW and V, totaling approximately 20 miles. RPE was supplied by our AMI Portage, WI, location and the application was completed by Fahrner Asphalt Sealers.
The application process for RPE is meticulous, involving pre-mobility testing to determine the precise amount of material needed for the road. Two tests are conducted: a physical penetration test to assess the treatment’s ability to permeate the pavement, and a water permeability test to measure the pavement’s capacity to absorb water, which helps fine tune the application rate.
Additionally, a texture test using a laser device is performed to ensure that the RPE treatment does not alter the pavement’s surface texture, which is crucial for maintaining skid resistance and water drainage. The expectation is that by applying RPE early in the pavement’s life, it will be possible to delay further treatments and potentially extend the road’s lifespan to 30 years.
Interested in seeing other projects that have utilized AMIGUARD-RPE? Click the links below to learn more!
IND Airport Economy Lot Project
Central Kentucky Regional Airport Project
AMIGUARD™ is a product of the Heritage Research Group and distributed by Asphalt Materials, Inc.
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