Trials for use of graphene in road resurfacing begin on A1 in Northumberland

National Highways will trial the use of graphene along three miles of the A1’s northbound carriageway between Newton on the Moor and West Cawledge, Northumberland, UK. If successful, using graphene could make roadworks less frequent and make roads smoother and more reliable.

Graphene used to resurface roads in new trial image

National Highways is carrying out the trials with the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at The University of Manchester and Pavement Testing Services (PTS).

National Highways asset needs manager, Graeme Watt, said: This is an exciting time for National Highways. We are constantly striving to improve the journeys of our customers and graphene has real potential to do that... Laboratory trials have been a success and the on-site trials in Northumberland will be a world-first use of graphene in road production, which enforces our commitment to innovation and helps to push the industry towards more carbon-friendly maintenance with longer-lasting solutions which we all benefit from... Graphene’s benefits are industry-changing. It’s stronger than steel and adding it to other materials can turn them into super materials. From what we’ve seen so far, it could make some of our assets last significantly longer.

The resurfacing will take place from Sunday 19 September to Monday 1 November, 2021.

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Posted: Sep 09,2021 by Roni Peleg