Case Study – Low Temperature Asphalt

Low temperature asphalt (LTA) technology has considerable potential for reducing the carbon emissions associated with road construction. The lower temperatures used to manufacture these materials mean that less energy is required to produce them, which drives lower energy costs. The lower emissions create better working conditions and result in a lower impact on the environment. Currently the market share for low temperature asphalts in the UK is very low at under 1% compared to an estimated 21% in the USA which has embraced the benefits of the technology much more rapidly. The US made great strides around low temperature asphalt by creating a technical working group to oversee the implementation of this technology. A large number of trial sections and demonstration projects were completed, leading to wider understanding and deployment. This project, led by Lafarge Tarmac and part funded by Carbon Trust (via the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC)) and by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) through its Regional Growth Fund, has developed a new approach to low temperature asphalt mixes and demonstrated their in-service performance on public roads as being equivalent to conventional hot asphalt. The project has also broken new ground by developing the first Specification for low temperature asphalt mixtures in the UK, enabling the mixtures to be specified and purchased with greater confidence. As a result of the project there will be increased interest from local authorities and other highway clients who wish to reduce the carbon footprint of their road programmes without compromising performance.