Methods, compositions and systems for enhancing the useful life of a transportation surface

Abstract

Methods, compositions and systems for prolonging the lives of transportation surfaces, including pavement, runways, bridges and parking structures include chemically protecting the transportation surfaces. Chemical protection may be accompanied by physical alteration of the transportation surface, which may enhance one or both of a microtexture and a macrotexture of the transportation surface.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for refreshing a transportation surface, comprising:
 upon passage of a predetermined event, refreshing an existing transportation surface, including applying a protective composition to at least a portion of the existing transportation surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein refreshing the existing transportation surface further includes physically altering the existing transportation surface to increase a microtexture and/or a macrotexture of the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein refreshing the existing transportation surface further includes physically altering the existing transportation surface to increase a skid resistance of the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined event comprises a predetermined amount of time after placement of the existing transportation surface and/or after prior refreshment of the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined event comprises a predetermined threshold condition. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined threshold condition comprises a predetermined number of freeze-thaw cycles, a predetermined number of days snow and/or ice is present on the existing transportation surface, a predetermined number of applications of a deicer to the existing transportation surface and/or a predetermined number of days tire chain are required to travel over the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined event comprises detection of surface polishing, wear, erosion and/or other damage to the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined event comprises detection of wear of tines of the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined event comprises detection of rutting of the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein applying the protective composition comprises applying the protective composition to ruts and/or tire paths across the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein applying the protective composition to ruts and/or tire paths across the existing transportation surface is effected without applying the protective composition to other areas of the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the protective composition comprises applying the protective composition to ruts and/or tire paths of the existing transportation surface without applying the protective composition to other areas or the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the protective composition comprises applying a protective composition comprising a colloidal silica, a lithium polysilicate, a potassium silicate, a sodium silicate and/or a magnesium fluorosilicate to the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method for refreshing a transportation surface, comprising:
 upon passage of a predetermined event comprising at least one of:
 a predetermined amount of time after placement of an existing transportation surface and/or after prior refreshment of the existing transportation surface; 
 a predetermined threshold condition; and/or 
 detection of surface polishing, wear, erosion and/or other damage to the existing transportation surface, 
   refreshing the existing transportation surface, including applying a protective composition to at least a portion of the existing transportation surface, the protective composition comprising at least one hardener/densifier.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined threshold condition comprises a predetermined number of freeze-thaw cycles, a predetermined number of days snow and/or ice is present on the existing transportation surface, a predetermined number of applications of a deicer to the existing transportation surface and/or a predetermined number of days tire chain are required to travel over the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein applying the protective composition to at least the portion of the existing transportation surface comprises applying a protective composition comprising a colloidal silica, a lithium polysilicate, a potassium silicate, a sodium silicate and/or a magnesium fluorosilicate to the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 enhancing a microtexture and/or a macrotexture of the existing transportation surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein enhancing the microtexture and/or the macrotexture of the existing transportation surface comprises pressure washing the existing transportation surface, abrasively blasting the existing transportation surface, shot blasting the existing transportation surface, grinding the existing transportation surface and/or grooving the existing transportation surface. 
     
     
         19 . A method for refreshing a transportation surface, comprising:
 upon passage of a predetermined event comprising at least one of:
 a predetermined amount of time after placement of an existing transportation surface and/or after prior refreshment of the existing transportation surface; 
 a predetermined threshold condition; and/or 
 detection of surface polishing, wear, erosion and/or other damage to the existing transportation surface, 
   enhancing a microtexture and/or a macrotexture of the existing transportation surface; and   refreshing the existing transportation surface, including applying a protective composition to at least a portion of the existing transportation surface, the protective composition comprising at least one hardener/densifier.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein enhancing the microtexture and/or the macrotexture of the existing transportation surface comprises pressure washing the existing transportation surface, abrasively blasting the existing transportation surface, shot blasting the existing transportation surface, grinding the existing transportation surface and/or grooving the existing transportation surface.