FAQ Performance

What are the effects of chloride and salts on polymer overlays?

The Virginia Transportation Research Council’s Michael Sprinkel, a national expert in the design, construction and evaluation of epoxy overlays, notes that SafeLane™ Surface Overlay provides all the benefits of standard epoxy overlays. Research has shown that virtually no chloride that is applied to the deck surface passes through to the polymer overlay. He adds that experts have never seen, based on 30 years of experience, deterioration of the epoxy overlay as the result of any kind of pre-stall action or penetration of chloride into the overlay, and that similar results are expected with SafeLane overlay.

How does SafeLane™ overlay hold up to mechanical abrasion like snow plowing and tire studs?

Local highway official Ron Cole, who has three years experience with SafeLane on a bridge near Crandon, Wisconsin notes, “You can’t find any wear on the bridge.  No chipping.  Looks fine.”  Steve Giese, Indiana department of transportation, concurs, “I don’t feel like snowplows tamper with the surface one bit.  We didn’t even get probably a shovel full of stone off the whole bridge during the whole winter.  As for the traction, we love the traction control that it gave us.  It gave us extremely good traction.” SafeLane™ overlay wear is similar to concrete and asphalt and may exhibit accelerated wear from tire studs. An advantage of SafeLane™ overlay is that ruts may be easily and quickly repaired with SafeLane™ overlay.

What are the skid resistance and wear performance attributes of SafeLane overlay?

SafeLane improves safety year round by increasing surface friction. Bald tire skid tests immediately after installation measured 58 to 60 using the ASTM E 524 bald tire skid test.  On this test, the higher the number the better the friction.  Generally, any skid number over 40 is considered acceptable, and the SafeLane overlay surface registered numbers in the high 40s to mid 50s after three years of use.   “We have no indication that we should expect any difference in skid performance between SafeLane overlay and standard epoxy overlays, so if SafeLane overlay performs as well as the standard epoxy overlay, you can expect to have good skid numbers 15 to 25 years or more,” says Michael Sprinkel of the Virginia Transportation Research Council, a national expert in the design, construction, and evaluation of epoxy overlays. 

After SafeLane™ overlay is installed, what do I need to do to maintain the SafeLane™ overlay road surface?

We do not anticipate any unique maintenance program.

How does the surface wear compare to concrete or asphalt?

Although SafeLane™ overlay is a new technology, it is an epoxy overlay, which have been used for more than 20 years with similar wear as concrete and asphalt.

What happens if the surface gets dirt build-up?

The anti-icing properties of SafeLane™ overlay is unaffected by common abrasives or road dirt. Like any other road surface, SafeLane™ overlay can be periodically cleared of sand and dirt debris. This can be done with any standard road sweeping equipment or high-pressure water treatment.

How is SafeLane™ overlay affected by rain and other precipitation?

Actual field use and lab testing shows that SafeLane overlay retains anti-icing properties up to 4-10 times longer than conventional road surfaces — even during rain events. Continued precipitation will eventually require chemical reapplication. Upon entering into a new winter season, the surface deck or road surface should be surface dry before the first application of liquid deicing/anti-icing chemical.

Does SafeLane overlay ever wear down and lose its absorbent capability?

The SafeLane overlay aggregate provides wear characteristics that match commonly used aggregates. Absorbency of the aggregate will not be affected by wear. We are expecting SafeLane overlay to have a minimal useful life of no less than 10 and 15 years, after which the system may need to be rejuvenated with a mild shotblast or a new layer of SafeLaneT overlay can be installed on top of the original after some surface preparation. Research has shown that polymer overlays can last up to 25 years under normal use.

To what temperature will SafeLane™ overlay work?

SafeLane overlay relies on the specific properties of the chemicals used to treat it. Most frost events occur above 15 degrees and common deicing chemicals such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium acetate, calcium magnesium acetate and calcium chloride liquids work well at this temperature range. Other products such as potassium acetate liquid may work at lower temps. Your Cargill Representative can advise you on the use of appropriate deicing liquids.

If the SafeLane™ overlay surface gets damaged, can it be repaired?

Yes, SafeLane™ overlay is easily patched by a Cargill-licensed installation contractor.

Does SafeLane™ overlay melt snow and ice build-up?

SafeLane overlay is an anti-icing system that prevents ice and frost from forming. Therefore, when properly charged with deicer it will prevent ice build-up. While it does not melt snow build-up, it will decrease snow bonding and formation of snow hardpack. If snow accumulates on the surface deck, plowing is easier because the snow does not bond to the surface.

What are the benefits I get from SafeLane™ overlay?

SafeLane overlay provides a safer road surface because it prevents frost and ice build-up, better mobility by increasing traction year round, extends surface life because it seals the pavement surface, reduces environmental impact because it reduces the use of deicing chemicals, and lowers overall maintenance costs since it extends pavement life.

How can I estimate the savings from SafeLane™ overlay?

Contact your Cargill Representative for detailed information and analysis of your particular site.

Where has SafeLane™ overlay been applied?

SafeLane overlay is installed at 46 sites in 23 states and Canada.  Visit Installations for details including department of transportation (DOT) contacts.

Are there any reports by DOTs on the use of the SafeLane™ overlay and related products such as polymer overlays?

See How it Works for these documents.

Will oil/other contaminants soak into the aggregate and render it useless?

If, over time, the surface of SafeLane overlay becomes coated with a contaminant, surface rejuvenation may be needed, i.e., high-pressure water wash, sandblasting or light shotblasting.