The texture on roadways surfaces is an important issue because it impacts both drainage and friction. Both of those impact traffic safety in obvious ways. The Stripe Hog is an excellent choice for restoring safe friction levels of pavements while protecting asphalt and concrete surfaces alike. The needle-sharp jets work very well in re-establishing the intended macro texture of virtually any pavement without damaging the surface. Our unique controls allow the Stripe Hog to quickly adapt to nearly any re-texturing challenge. The variables that are within the operator’s ability to control are:

1. Pressure (psi or bar) used to treat the surface. From 10,000 psi to 40,000 psi (689 bar – 2,750 bar)
2. Size of nozzles used in the process. From .003 – .015
3. The number of nozzles used in the spray bars. We manufacture several variations as well as plugs.
4. The width of the spray bars. We manufacture many different widths depending on the width of the wheel tracks etc.
5. The distance from the nozzle to the road surface. The wheel raises and lowers the spray heads.
6. The rotational speed of the spray bar. This is precisely controlled via hydraulics.
7. Forward speed of the vehicle. This is precisely controlled via hydraulics.

All of these factors allow for a great degree of flexibility in adjusting the proper aggression and resulting friction levels realized in the process. The Waterblasting process is very effective on both concrete and asphalt surfaces.

The macro texture (space between the aggregates) and the micro texture (the roughness of the aggregates themselves) work together to create the friction necessary for tires to hold a vehicle on the road and to decrease the distance required to stop a vehicle. As concrete and asphalt pavements where they can lose their friction values and require remedial efforts to maintain safety.

On asphalt, bitumen may bleed up through the pores between the aggregates until it pools on the surface. Concrete gets polished by the action of tires and grit. These realities can create slippery situations; especially in wet conditions since there is reduced pore space for the tires to grip. As friction levels diminish, drivers are more apt to lose control of their vehicle while cornering, braking distances are extended and crashes are many times more likely to occur. The lives of travelers and pedestrians are at increased risk.

The needle-sharp jets of the Stripe Hog remove the unwanted material between the aggregates and scarify the aggregates themselves so that the macro textures are restored to their original design.

Microtextures can also be impacted in a very positive way depending on the hardness of the stones used in the asphalt or concrete mix. The unique process leaves the aggregates in place so the pavement maintains its strength, friction is restored, and the pavements are safer for the travelers and pedestrians that depend on them.

Over time, concrete and asphalt pavements develop poor friction characteristics due to wear on the surface, poor surface draining abilities and the build-up of tar, asphalt and other contaminants on the surface of the road. The Stripe Hog effortlessly removes this build-up, restoring the surface skid resistance values and texture depth to desirable levels. The road retexturing process reduces the risk of wet skid crashes by improving friction levels, creating safer roads