National Research Council Strategic Highway Research Project Finds Perma-Patch Best in Durability through Multiple Tests

The Federal Department of Transportation obtained five million dollars from Congress on the advice of the National Research Council, to study the best materials and equipment for repairing potholes. This resulted in publication of SHRP-H-348 (Strategic Highway Research Project) under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences, United States Government, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, known as Projects H105 and H106.

Test sections were installed at 22 sites throughout the United States and Canada between March 1991 and February 1992, under the supervision of SHRP representatives. The researchers collected installation and productivity information at each site and periodically evaluated the experimental repairs and treatments for 18 months following installation. As asphalt pavements age and deteriorate the need for corrective measures to restore safety and ride-ability increases. This not only proves to be expensive but also costly for ride-ability and pavement lifespan.

Perma-Patch proved to be the most durable product.
Perma-Patch proved to have the lowest failure rate after 4.65 years.
Perma-Patch proved to have the lowest failure rate after 18 months.

Cost Benefits

The cost most commonly associated with pothole patching is the cost of purchasing material. This is usually one of the least significant contributors to the overall cost of patching operations. However, the material used for patching does impact the cost of the overall operation when there are differences in performance. More expensive materials that are placed with little effort, yet yield long-term durability, can reduce the cost of the initial patching effort, as well as the amount of re-patching needed. This reduces the labor and equipment costs for the overall operation.

Perma-Patch demonstrates industry-leading performance at all testing time-frames. Since PermaPatch performs better as vehicles drive over the repair, the material can be used for rapid patches while providing long-term benefits in durability and cost reductions in pavement repairs.