Why are asphalt roads always being repaired?

Why are asphalt roads always being repaired?Have you noticed that more and more roads in China are paved with asphalt? Cement highways, once common, are gradually disappearing. But a single construction project doesn't guarantee a smooth journey forever

Why are asphalt roads always being repaired?

Have you noticed that more and more roads in China are paved with asphalt? Cement highways, once common, are gradually disappearing. But a single construction project doesn't guarantee a smooth journey forever. Everyone has probably encountered travel disruptions due to road repairs. So why are we constantly repairing and rebuilding these roads? Are they all "" projects? The truth is, there are several reasons for this.

Asphalt: The Preferred Material for Roads

Asphalt is essentially a type of high-molecular polymer. Natural asphalt exists, and it was used for road construction in some areas in the past. However, natural asphalt production is limited. Today, the asphalt used on roads is primarily a product of modern industry, derived from crude oil through a process called vacuum distillation or by shallow oxidation of vacuum residue.

Asphalt possesses excellent fluidity at high temperatures, lasting adhesiveness, and exhibits electrical insulation, water resistance, and elastic-plastic properties when cooled and solidified. This makes it the preferred material for most road surfaces. Compared to traditional cement pavement, asphalt performs significantly better in various aspects.

• Longer lifespan: Asphalt's elastic-plastic properties and water resistance are key to its longevity. It can withstand the impact of vehicle weight and speed, reducing wear and tear, thus extending its service life. Additionally, it effectively prevents rain and snow from penetrating the base of the road, minimizing damage and prolonging lifespan. Even if the road experiences long-term damage, as long as the problem isn't severe, asphalt can be patched and repaired on the existing surface. Cement lacks this compatibility. Any road damage requires complete removal and reconstruction, wasting resources and disrupting traffic.

• Enhanced safety: Asphalt surfaces offer better friction than cement, and they don't reflect strong light. This reduces the possibility of tire skidding and minimizes driver fatigue, enhancing safety and making asphalt a prime choice for road construction.

From Cement to Asphalt: A Transition of Times

During the last century, China's priority was development and national strength. The foundation for this was road and bridge construction, allowing people to travel and engage in trade. While asphalt is superior, it's several times more expensive than cement. To connect the country's transportation network as quickly as possible and make the most of limited funds, the country opted for less-expensive cement roads.

However, as China's economy rapidly developed in the new century, we had the financial resources to upgrade our roads. Consequently, cement roads gradually gave way to better asphalt roads. This wasn't an overnight transition. To avoid affecting overall transportation, the government opted for a phased approach, repairing sections at a time.

China and Japan's Road Construction: A Historical Comparison

While asphalt is a post-industrialization product, its use dates back a long time. Records show that the Inca Empire used natural asphalt for road construction in the 15th century. In the early 19th century, the British started building coal-tar asphalt-paved gravel roads. By the 20th century, asphalt had become widely used globally.

However, China was embroiled in war during this period. It wasn't until after 1949 that we began paving main roads and highways in major cities with asphalt. Due to financial constraints, the technology and types of asphalt used were outdated, essentially "previous generation" compared to the developed world.

Take Japan, our "competitor." They became a powerful nation after World War II, riding on the "east wind" of the United States. They learned from the British in road construction standards and mastered asphalt paving technology in 1878. In 1911, they spent three years upgrading their existing roads with new asphalt pavement. We, however, only laid our first asphalt road in Shanghai in 1920.

By 1975, Japan imported new technology from the United States and began researching new asphalt concrete recycling techniques, leading to a second round of road upgrades. At that time, China was only just beginning to open up to the world. We were still using cement for some highways, let alone regular roads. Consider that the Shen-Shan Expressway, which opened in 1996, was mostly paved with cement. It wasn't until recent years that China began building asphalt roads on a large scale.

Therefore, the historical reasons behind Japan's smoother and higher-quality roads are undeniable. They did acquire the technology earlier and were faster at upgrading their "version." However, latecomers can also catch up. As China's development accelerates, we prioritize people's comfort. Consequently, older asphalt roads requiring constant repairs are gradually being replaced.

With advances in modern industrial technology, our asphalt technology is no longer lagging behind. We're continuously introducing new road materials into practical use. In recent years, China has been gradually upgrading its existing asphalt roads. Now, we can choose better materials for road improvement, unlike the past when we had to be frugal.

Differences in Road Maintenance: National Conditions Determine Everything

Some might argue that road repairs seem less common in Japan, while we constantly see workers patching and repairing our roads. Why is that?

The main reason is China's vast territory, large population, and immense landmass. Even minor problems become significant when multiplied by 1.4 billion people and 9.6 million square kilometers.

While Japan's road construction methods are demonstrably more robust, with an extra reinforcement layer added over the base, extending lifespan, their land area is only 370,000 square kilometers, smaller than several Chinese provinces. If we adopted the same approach, our financial and material resources would be stretched thin.

Furthermore, due to geographical and population constraints, most Japanese rely on trains and subways for transport. Their heavy industry is also relatively less developed, resulting in fewer private cars and heavy trucks, thus lower road damage rates.

In contrast, China is in a rapid development phase, with a high demand for road transportation. Every city has various heavy-duty trucks. Additionally, as a populous nation, the number of private cars currently in use far surpasses Japan's. Therefore, our roads naturally experience higher wear and tear.

It's not that Japan doesn't have wear and tear but that they mark roads needing repairs and perform maintenance at night. We typically address problems as they arise, leading to the perception that we're constantly repairing roads.

Challenges of Geography and Climate: The Uniqueness of China's Road Construction

Finally, there's the issue of China's complex topography and climate. Our vast landmass encompasses almost every type of terrain and climate, from north to south. This presents challenges in building a transportation network.

During asphalt road construction, we need to factor in different regional climates to ensure longer service life. Japan, however, has a relatively homogeneous climate and terrain, allowing them to build roads nationwide using standardized methods without the same level of complexity.

Conclusion: The Future of China's Road Construction

While China's road construction still lags behind some developed countries, we've made significant progress in recent years in road construction and material research, rapidly catching up with the international scene. We're investing more in road infrastructure, not solely for speed but for strategic development aligned with our national conditions. I believe that China's road construction will reach world-class standards in the near future!

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