RSTA launches new code of practice

The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) has published best practice guidance on the installation of innovative patching systems for road maintenance.

The new RSTA code of practice for innovative patching systems covers systems such as spray injection patching and thermal road repairs. It identifies the key issues of these processes and provides practical guidance on how best to achieve high quality repairs. The code has been per reviewed and endorsed by ADEPT.

Spray injection patching uses high volume low pressure air to clean the road surface defect before applying a bond coat of either hot or cold bitumen emulsion. Aggregate is then propelled, using high volume air at low pressure, before mixing it with the bitumen emulsion before it is compacted as it is placed in the patch. The new repair can be trafficked immediately after laying. Thermal road repair involves applying heat to the upper 20-30mm of the road surface course of a defective area to soften the material so that it can be easily reworked with any extra materials added prior to compaction.

“This new code of practice for innovative patching systems is the latest addition to the library of best practice guidance that has been developed and published by the RSTA to demonstrate how to get the best performance and durability from road surface treatments,” said Howard Robinson, RSTA chief executive.