The M1 in the rain..WTH- GC to Brisbane

**stevo68** · 19th February 2008, 05:05 PM

G'day All,

Was going to write this up the other day but forgot, and notice I used WTH as opposed to "What the Fred"

. Anyhoo, and someone on here might know why, but on the main stretch of highway, predominately the 110k zone, why on earth have they used that...what I can only describe as some sort of pale/concrete material as opposed to tar. Now the reason that I ask is that the other day and today, spent much of the trip, hands firmly gripped on the steering wheel and keeping a good distance from cars in front. Why? Well for those unfamiliar, in the teeming rain, you cannot see an F'ing thing. You may as well be driving blindfolded, the visibility is that bad.

Then, same rain, you hit a tar section and you can see quite clearly. I'm surprised there isn't more accidents. And whilst I am at it, frikin QLD drivers as soon as they hit the rain, jam on the breaks, great fun at 110k's an hr. The other day I thought there must have been an accident...but noooooo, it was a section of highway getting a bit of a downpour. Last not least are the moron's who do not turn on their lights in those conditions, one today almost had a black D3 up the jatzy......no lights on, like roger me silly

. Ahhhh feel much better now, though would be interested in why they would use that sort of material when it is quite clearly hazardous in that type of weather,

Regards

Stevo

**Utemad** · 19th February 2008, 05:22 PM

I think they use the concrete looking stuff in the flood prone areas.

**hodgo** · 19th February 2008, 05:27 PM

The answer is very simple COST over along peroid of time its very looooow maintance.

Hodgo

**stevo68** · 19th February 2008, 05:56 PM

I think they use the concrete looking stuff in the flood prone areas.

Maybe in some area's but this is a whole stretch of road at least 40-50km's and hardly prone to flooding. Sounds like cost maybe the answer...but at what cost as it is seriously dangerous, it creates a haze/glare, cars virtually disappear from sight. Whereas when you hit the 100km zone, bitumen all the way, thanks for the feedback,

Regards

Stevo

**djhampson** · 19th February 2008, 06:44 PM

I find the new smooth tarmac they have been using in the last few years can be extremely reflective in the rain.

It seems ok on slopes because the water can drain away but a section near us that has 4 sets of lights in 1km when the water pools up become a pretty picture of red green and yellow. The white lines just dissapear

.

I know concrete is popular in the US for highways because it requires far less maintenance and thus far less lane closures for annual maintenance. It also handles snow much better. So knowing the intelligence displayed from QLD Main Roads - that would have been a deciding factor

.

**LandyAndy** · 19th February 2008, 07:25 PM

Concreate is all the go in the US.
Maybe they are trialing it here as it would be cost effective maintence wise till concreat cancer moves in.
There is a good reason "tar" as you put it gives better visability.The blue metal in the surface gives you drainage.Hotmix is worse as its finer.We use 7mm stone on the first coat then re-top with 10mm stone on shire roads.Of heavy haulage roads its 10mm stone then 14mm stone.
There is a new surface being trialed that is basically crumbed tyres,offers good drainage and very good grip.Quite expensive but surely better than the tyres going to landfill.
Andrew

**UncleHo** · 19th February 2008, 07:35 PM

G'day Folks

Ask Sunshine Coast motorists what they think of "Stonemastic" in the wet, there have been a overly large number of fatalities on that stuff in the wet.

cheers

**djhampson** · 19th February 2008, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Folks

Ask Sunshine Coast motorists what they think of "Stonemastic" in the wet, there have been a overly large number of fatalities on that stuff in the wet.

cheers

Thats the same stuff that I was talking about. Its nice and quite but when its wet its very reflective.

**stevo68** · 19th February 2008, 07:43 PM

Concreate is all the go in the US.
Maybe they are trialing it here as it would be cost effective maintence wise till concreat cancer moves in.
There is a good reason "tar" as you put it gives better visability.The blue metal in the surface gives you drainage.Hotmix is worse as its finer.We use 7mm stone on the first coat then re-top with 10mm stone on shire roads.Of heavy haulage roads its 10mm stone then 14mm stone.
There is a new surface being trialed that is basically crumbed tyres,offers good drainage and very good grip.Quite expensive but surely better than the tyres going to landfill.
Andrew

Thanks mate, I was trying to remember who would know that kind of stuff. Overall can't see then changing it and yes it is the same up the Sunshine coast as well, thats what I am talking about. Its actually quite nerve racking moreso when you have the kids in the car, and despite all the safety designs the D3 has, braking at 110k aint pleasant,

Regards

Stevo

**inside** · 19th February 2008, 07:58 PM

I think at the end of the day a D3 is 2.7 tonnes, no matter what they do to it safety wise it will always be 2.7 tonnes. Braking will always take longer and evasive maneuvers will not be as agile.

Plus it is my opinion the majority of QLD drivers have trouble in the dry let alone the wet. Driving is something the general QLDer does not put much pride in.

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