Client – Wicklow County Council
Completed – June 2022
Description – Tarstone is always striving to improve work efficiencies and introduce new, more sustainable, “greener” maintenance and repair solutions to reduce our impact on the environment and assist the circular economy. This month, in conjunction with Thermal Road Repairs, UK, we introduced thermal repair technology to Ireland, starting with a daylight demo on a patch of road in Enniskerry, and followed by night time trial works on the busier, N11.
The Thermal Repair unit generates heat by using renewable energy, via a mix of LPG and integrated energy-efficient solar panels, to heat areas of the carriageway showing signs of deterioration. The existing failing or failed material is then mixed with a small quantity of virgin material to create a homogeneous mix. This is then raked and compacted with a roller, leaving a superior surface finish with no joints and a safer road.
This patented, thermal technology is the perfect solution for problem areas and defects such as potholes, joint failures, texture loss, patch repairs (6 to 20 m2) and difficult locations.
This new technology has many economic and green credentials over conventional road repair methods, including zero waste to landfill, reduced carbon emissions, speed (less than 10 minutes for small patch repairs), and a superior surface finish with no joints. This represents a new journey for Tarstone in decarbonising the asphalt repair industry.
