Background

Three countries, in particular, rely on sprayed seals to provide the backbone of their national road system.  These three countries - Australia, South Africa and New Zealand - have invested considerable effort and resources in developing sprayed seal construction and maintenance procedures attuned to their local conditions and construction materials.  This allows them to maintain an all weather network at an affordable cost.

Other countries also use sprayed seals but often as maintenance treatments, for forestry roads or for specialised surfacings.  A great deal of knowledge and expertise on sprayed sealing practice has been built up over the years but some of this is being lost as organisations downsize and as experts and practitioners reach retirement age.

One of the outcomes of the first conference was a recognition that while each country had produced a lot of information on sprayed seals, it was often hard for practitioners to find.  To help address this problem, ARRB has developed an online sprayed seal information centre.

which provides access to key information on web sites in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

The second conference will continue the work of the first by bringing together practitioners to discuss sprayed sealing.  Global issues such as climate change, greenhouse gas emission and peak oil (when oil consumption exceeds new discoveries) are starting to affect our industry. 

These will have to be addressed in the longer term, while in the short term we are faced with maintaining sprayed seal quality, often with fewer resources in a difficult environment.  Challenges include new freight vehicles carrying heavier loads, the need to extend sealing seasons, probable future binder price increases and the loss of experienced personnel.

Aims of the Conference

Sprayed seal type surfacings serve a number of functions, depending on where they are used. Applications range from the provision of enhanced surface properties on primary routes to delivering all weather access on low volume roads. Seals provide good value for money, ensuring the most cost effective use of road funding.

Seal performance depends on the skills and experience of practitioners in design, material selection and construction techniques. Road authorities in many parts of the world are being challenged with the loss of experienced personnel through rationalisation and the retirement of experienced workers.

This conference aims to promote the continuing use of seals by:

  • providing a forum for practitioners to meet others in the industry and network
  • assisting with the exchange of practical information
  • identifying sealing  issues and how to address them
  • helping preserve and document existing knowledge
  • assisting in transferring expertise to less experienced practitioners
  • presenting new practices and technologies
  • identifying and discussing issues and potentially useful future technologies.

Who should attend

  • Road authorities - field staff, technical and management
  • Local government
  • Sealing contractors
  • Asset managers
  • Bitumen and modified binder suppliers
  • Emulsion manufacturers
  • Aggregate suppliers
  • Practicing engineers
  • Maintenance personnel
  • Researchers and technical experts
  • Equipment suppliers.

Continuing Professional Development eligibility

This conference meets the criteria of Engineers Australia as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event. For further information about CPD events please click here.