Treatment Information of Microsurfacing

Microsurfacing – A Sustainable Road Preservation Solution

What is Microsurfacing?

Microsurfacing is an advanced pavement preservation and maintenance technique that involves applying a mixture of water, asphalt emulsion, aggregate, and chemical additives to existing road surfaces. The Microsurfacing treatment is designed to extend the lifespan of the pavement and improve its appearance at a fraction of the cost of more extensive road surfacing treatments.

Figure 1 - Typical Microsurfacing surface

Understanding Microsurfacing

The application of Microsurfacing involves the preparation of existing surfacing by cleaning the exiting pavement and repairing of potholes and minor failures if any. The Microsurfacing mixture is combined in a specialised mixing unit then applied to the prepared pavement using a specialised paving machine. This machine spreads the mixture evenly across the road surface, ensuring a uniform layer.

Microsurfacing can be used as a treatment to correct defects such as rutting, bleeding, raveling, oxidation, poor skid resistance and improving surface permeability. It can also be used to extend the life of a sound pavement. After application it provides an aesthetic improvement by giving the appearance of a new surface.

Advantages of Microsurfacing

·         Microsurfacing is able to address a number of pavement maintenance requirements that cannot be readily met by sprayed seals or asphalt, e.g. minor shape correction while matching into existing levels.

·         Microsurfacing is a relatively low-cost maintenance option compared to extensive road reconstruction projects to extend the life of the pavement. The cost of Microsurfacing is approximately fraction of Asphalt Resheeting. This allows Council to reduce more backlog roadworks and waiting time of road renewal.

·         The Microsurfacing process can be completed quickly compared to road reconstruction works, minimising disruption to traffic and the community. Roads treated with Microsurfacing can often be reopened to traffic within a few hours of application.

·         Microsurfacing is applied at ambient temperatures, which means the mixture can be laid down without the need for heating. This feature makes Microsurfacing a more environmentally friendly option, as it reduces the energy consumption associated with heating materials. Microsurfacing is an environmentally friendly and sustainable surfacing option, as it consumes less energy compared with other pavement treatment.

History

Council has applied the treatment of Microsurfacing on 10 roads in late 2022. The following photos demonstrate the condition before and after the application. Loose aggregate may appear along the treated section initially but through sweeping and traffic movements the road will settle in and will present as a renewed uniform asphalt surface shortly after.

Figure 2 – Typical Condition of road surface prior to application of Microsurfacing (November 2022)

Figure 2 – Two-day after application of Microsurfacing along Smart Avenue, Camden South (2025)

Figure 2 – Three-year after application of Microsurfacing along Smart Avenue, Camden South (2025)

Conclusion

Microsurfacing is a valuable pavement preservation method, that offers numerous benefits, including uniform smooth surface appearance, cost savings, quick application, environmental sustainability, and improved road performance and long-lasting results.