With extreme weather intensifying, it’s clear that the time to build climate-resilient roads is now. To achieve this, Dr Paul Phillips, technical director at Associated Asphalt, argues that we must begin to see the modern road network as much more than a stretch of tarmac, but rather an interconnected ecosystem where smarter materials, design and maintenance work together to deliver safer, more reliable journeys, whatever the weather
This October saw heavy downpours and wind gusts up to 85 mph hit the UK following earlier impacts from Storm Austen. This, of course, was in stark contrast to the record-breaking five heatwaves seen in the hottest summer ever recorded. But while the changing climate may be well documented, less understood is its growing impact on our roads.
Extreme weather tests the resilience of our road networks and accelerates deterioration. During periods of intense heat, surfaces can soften and rut, while freezing conditions and heavy rainfall can weaken pavement structures, damage drainage systems and compromise safety. Add to the equation the potential knock-on impact in terms of disrupted routes and delays and it’s clear that addressing these challenges requires a more resilient, future-focused approach to protect infrastructure and keep traffic moving in all conditions.
But, the big question is: what?
Image: © Associated Asphalt
Beyond silos: Why a systems approach is everything
While there are many challenges that must be overcome in this, I believe that one of the most pressing is the transition from a siloed mindset to a systems-based approach.
Inherently, councils, local authorities and Tier 1 contractors think of highway or road initiatives as an individual strategy meaning each area is treated as a standalone project. The result is that the even the smartest solution will fall short by failing to make the most of the synergies and trade-offs available among the wider network.
Take, for example, the challenge of surface water. A traditional approach may focus on repairing a section of road after flooding or resurfacing it once damage has occurred. But a systems-based approach asks a much broader set of questions. For example, what is causing the water to accumulate? How does drainage interact with the surrounding infrastructure? Could changes to the road surface, drainage network or adjacent land reduce the risk? And, perhaps more importantly, how can the solution be designed to withstand the increasingly extreme weather conditions we can expect in the future? In this way, by treating the road as part of a wider system, reactive repairs give way to long-term resilience.
Breaking down the vision: What will the climate-resilient roads of tomorrow look like?
When we apply this systems-approach across the entire road network the operational benefits become clear.
Imagine, in the future, say, that the traditional road network becomes an interconnected ecosystem where physical infrastructure and digital assets are seamlessly integrated to address the full spectrum of climate impacts from the outset.
At the heart of this future network, embedded sensors, AI and digital twins monitor infrastructure in real time and predict maintenance needs. This would give authorities the power to shift away from reactive maintenance toward a proactive model, identifying n minor deterioration early and intervening long before it escalates into a major disruption.
Not only that but through the vast analytical and machine learning capabilities afforded by AI we could find ourselves in a situation where it becomes possible to anticipate the impact of changing weather conditions on our roads ahead of time. By combining real-time data with weather patterns, forecasts and market intelligence, the system could forecast future supply and demand conditions, allowing decision-makers to anticipate potential pressures and adapt accordingly.
Materials innovation would also play a critical role. Through the strategic use of polymer-modified binders and recycled aggregates, we would be able to develop pavements that are better able to withstand summer thermal loading and winter moisture damage, while also reducing their carbon intensity. Future advances in adhesion, workability and warm-mix additives will further improve compactability, construction efficiency and long-term performance.
Beneath the surface, stabilised base layers and self-healing materials – including surface course materials – could help protect against cracking, moisture ingress and progressive deterioration, extending pavement life and reducing the need for disruptive maintenance. When integrated with smarter drainage and climate-responsive design, these material advancements would create durable, self-sustaining road structures equipped to adapt to shifting climate conditions.
Crucially, these innovations could be continuously validated against real-world performance. By comparing predicted behaviour with measured field data, digital models could help identify deviations, refine their algorithms and improve future forecasts. This would ensure a continuous feedback loop between materials, infrastructure, data and AI – enabling highways assets to become progressively more predictive, resilient and efficient.
Take it one step further and the integration of localised, renewably powered microgrids would help build energy resilience across the network and ensure security of supply even during main-grid power outages. Concurrently, incorporating native vegetation and wild habitat corridors alongside carriageways affords an obvious way to absorb carbon and buffer floodwaters while actively enriching local ecosystems.
The end result? Not simply stronger roads, but a smarter, lower-carbon and more adaptable network – one that can anticipate change, respond to emerging risks and remain resilient in the face of tomorrow’s climate challenges.
The bigger picture
For road authorities, contractors and operators, now may not seem like the right time to invest in new technologies and innovative construction approaches. But as extreme weather intensifies and infrastructure comes under increasing pressure, standing still is no longer an option.
By taking a joined-up approach to road design, construction and maintenance, the industry can look beyond individual assets to deliver climate-resilient roads for the long-term, extend road life and build networks fit for the climate challenges ahead.
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