Australia's standard road-repair method is breaking down, expert warns
Australia's traditional thin-sealed pavement method is failing in modern climate and traffic conditions, expert warns.
An engineering expert has warned that Australia's thin-sealed unbound pavement method is no longer adequate. Monash University's Jayantha Kodikara said climate change and heavier traffic are making standard road repairs less effective.
This creates more potholes and safety risks. Once potholes develop, repeated vehicle traffic accelerates the damage.
Light vehicles enlarge the defect faster than the old system was designed to handle. A new RACV survey has identified dangerous pothole stretches across Victoria.
One road was rated as the state's eighth worst. Peter Mason, a 71-year-old motorcyclist, died on that road on Sunday.
He hit a pothole while riding.
- Peter Mason, age 71
- Rider killed
- Eighth worst in Victoria
- Location rating
- 500,000
- Potholes to be filled
- $352 million
- Funding redirected
Why it mattersRoad maintenance budgets will need to shift from patching to stronger pavement systems to prevent more deaths and injuries.
AustraliaAustralians face growing road hazards from potholes as traditional repair methods prove inadequate; Victoria is redirecting funding to fill 500,000 holes.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
