Environmental and financial benefits of specifying lower temperature asphalts for road construction and renewal will be among the topics discussed at CIHT’s inaugural National Conference, which takes place just one week from now.

Lafarge Tarmac’s national technical manager Brian Kent will deliver a presentation explaining how lower temperature asphalts – which promise reduced carbon emissions and lower energy costs – can perform to the same standard as conventional hot mix materials.

The assertion follows publication of a specification for lower temperature asphalt mixtures earlier this year which could make adoption of the materials a more feasible proposition. The three year study was carried out by Lafarge Tarmac and the Carbon Trust, with help from bitumen specialist Nynas, transport consultant TRL and the Mineral Industry Research Organisation.

“One of the challenges with any new technology is for specifiers to overcome a reluctance to go for it, but I hope the study will instill confidence and prove there is nothing to fear by specifying lower temperature asphalts,” Mr Kent said.

One client group showing its support for lower temperature asphalt is the West Midlands Highway Alliance of 14 councils. It expects to place orders of over 300,000t of the material for use on roads and footways by next year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20%.

Lower temperature asphalt currently accounts for around 2% of highway material specified in Britain. According to Mr Kent around 20% of asphalt laid in America is low temperature, but almost none was specified seven years ago. He sees no reason why Britain cannot follow America and embrace lower temperature material.

The CIHT National Conference, sponsored by Lafarge Tarmac, takes place on Wednesday 19 March at Centre Point tower in London. Speakers will include the Confederation of British Industry’s Nicola Walker, Infrastructure UK’s Geoffrey Spence and the Highways Agency’s Alan Cook. A few seats free to those in the public sector are still available. For details call 0207 336 1567.

A comprehensive feature about lower temperature asphalts is included in the March issue of Transportation Professional, published next week.

(Photo: Lafarge Tarmac)

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