Sustainable Development with Microsurfacing: A Review

Abstract

In recent times, sustainable development has been the primary focus of research and development in the pavement industry. In this respect, microsurfacing was viewed as sustainable pavement preservation and has emerged as a cost-effective pavement maintenance alternative for enhancing performance, increasing service life, and ensuring safety with minimal environmental impact. In this review, the impact of microsurfacing application on the economic, social, and environmental components were explored from the published literature. Studies show that with microsurfacing application, there was a 31 % savings in cost as compared with conventional hot-mix asphalt. Furthermore, a brief economic analysis was carried out, which confirmed microsurfacing as one of the most cost-effective preventative treatment with minimum equivalent uniform annual cost. However, the economic benefits of microsurfacing were dependent upon distress type and intensity, pavement age, climatic conditions, and traffic volume. In addition, the social benefits included enhanced skid resistance, reduced hydroplaning, better riding quality, and pleasing aesthetic appearance. Moreover, the main environmental benefits of microsurfacing, as reported by various researchers, included low energy consumption, reduced greenhouse gas emission, conservation of natural resources, and reduction in tire-pavement noise. Review also reported the strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats of microsurfacing application. Even with certain weakness and probable challenges, application of microsurfacing showed enormous potential for further improvement. Incorporation of recycled or waste materials, compaction prior to opening for traffic, and project-related specifications are some areas for further research. However, certain challenges, like insufficient fund allocation, implementation or performance issues, and production variability, had to be mitigated for smooth and rapid development. Thus, with encouraging results and a promising future, microsurfacing had excelled in both technological and sustainability aspects.