Out here in Hicksville, Oklahoma, some back country roads get oiled. Why do they do it, what exactly does it do to the road, and how do they do it?
Inquiring rednecks want to know…
It’s oil mixed with gravel? It’s to help hold the gravel in place and cut down on the dust.
How do they do it? You know as well as I do–they drive a big ol’ smelly tanker truck up and down, spraying hot oil all over the place.
It helps cut down the dust.
In addition to keeping down dust, it helps keep the ground dry, supports the traffic and prevents ruts. In spite of all the claims about reinforced concrete and all that jazz, it is really the ground that supports the traffic. If you don’t believe that watch how quickly a concrete road goes to pot if water gets under the concrete and traffic starts to “pump” the supporting ground out from under as it goes over the road. This “pumping” usually starts at the edge of the road in the vicinity of a seam where water can get in to soften the ground.
It prevents the road from squeaking.