A long-running Queensland transport research initiative isdelivering critical insights into how innovative road materials perform underreal-world conditions, helping shape the future of the state’s infrastructure.
The project, part of the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ (TMR) and the National Transport Research Organisation’s (NTRO) National Asset Centre of Excellence (NACOE) program, has spent more than a decade monitoring trial sections of road built with new and emerging pavement technologies. Its aim is to bridge a major challenge in infrastructure innovation: understanding how new materials hold up over time compared with conventional options.
Because road pavements can take years—often decades—to fully demonstrate their durability, the project was designed to systematically track performance from the outset. Each time a new product or material is trialled on Queensland’s road network, it is added to a register and monitored annually. Over time, this creates a growing dataset that allows engineers to evaluate performance under live traffic and environmental conditions.
Project leaders say the long-term nature of the project is essential. “Every year you don’t collect data is a missed opportunity,” Joe Grobler, NACOE Agreement Manager, explained, noting that continuous monitoring allows for stronger, evidence-based decisions about adopting new technologies.
After 12 years, the project is already producing encouraging results. Several innovative materials have demonstrated performance comparable to traditional road-building products. These include high-strength granular materials trialled on the Centenary Highway, as well as crumb rubber modified asphalt used on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
In one case, a foam bitumen stabilised pavement subjected to flooding was found to have maintained its integrity, highlighting its resilience in extreme conditions. Another material, EME asphalt—introduced to Australia around a decade ago—has also shown performance in line with expectations on major arterial roads.
The benefits extend beyond validation of new materials. By analysing real-world performance data, engineers can refine design procedures and update specifications, improving both efficiency and safety across the network. The program also supports better risk management, giving TMR greater confidence to adopt innovative solutions more widely.
Notably, the project is believed to be one of the only programs of its kind in Australia, offering a rare, long-term evidence base for pavement performance. Its success is underpinned by sustained funding and commitment—factors experts say are critical for meaningful results, given that road assets are typically designed to last 20 to 30 years.
Looking ahead, the project is expected to continue indefinitely. Each year, new trial sites and technologies are added to the monitoring program, ensuring the dataset remains current and comprehensive. While the core approach remains consistent, ongoing reviews help ensure that all relevant innovations are captured.
As Queensland continues to invest in resilient and sustainable infrastructure, the project is providing a foundation of knowledge that could inform not only local decision-making but also similar efforts across Australia and internationally.
