New Delhi: The ongoing summer season is likely to turn up multiple instances of bitumen cracking, leading to potholes in roads. However, the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) has decided to address this problem by releasing new guidelines of the use of surface materials used for making roads. This standard will address the issue of traffic load as well as pavement temperature, leading to a smoother travel experience for vehicle owners and operators.
What is the new rule for highway surface materials
The MoRTH has decided to make it mandatory for road projects to consider the intricacies of temperature and traffic weight while planning a project. Projects only factored in a road’s capacity to carry weight earlier. These guidelines will have a direct impact on the bitumen used as a binder in road projects. Bitumen binders will now be graded based on
Prevailing load
Ambient temperature
Rainfall
Snowfall
Speed
This move is aimed at making highways smoother and less prone to developing potholes.
What are bituminous binders
These are the essential building blocks of every road project and hold the entire edifice together. Bituminous binders are adhesives that create a surface known for its durability and flexibility while holding together:
Stones
Sand
Gravel
Asphalt
MoRTH has specified the grade of bitumen to be used based on the climatic conditions in an area. While these guidelines apply to new projects they also pertain to those highways that are being re-layed.
How will these guidelines help
As the government readies itself to award new highway projects for 10,000-12,000 km distances in the new financial year, these are also expected to cater to a larger carrying capacity with 6-8 lane highways, the Mint reported, citing Rudrabhishek Enterprises
senior VP and transport expert Daleep Thusu. The new rules are aimed at elongating the life of new projects and enhancing their capacity to endure a higher traffic volume.
The ministry of road transport and highways has laid down new standards for bitumen binders used in road construction which will be selected based on its capacity to withstand traffic load and temperature changes. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
