ALWAYS ROOM FOR A GOOD ONE

This article describes the Safedress surface dressing, developed by Associated Asphalt. Its techniques involved the complementary elements of improved materials, design, equipment, and application, and is said to eliminate at least most of the defects of traditional surface dressings. It is derived from the successful ultrathin surface dressing Safepave, which Associated Asphalt introduced from France in 1991. Both Safepave and Safedress apply binder to the road surface as a seal/bond coat; this is immediately followed by spreading a layer of hot bituminous mix. The resulting increased cohesiveness significantly reduces climatic constraints. Safedress can be applied throughout an extended season, and is convenient to use. Two self-priming pavers are available to lay and apply Safedress at a high speed between 10m/min and 25m/min. The article discusses a case study of the use of Safedress on three English trunk roads; local residents like its surface and reduced noise.