What performance trade-offs exist when replacing coal tar emulsion with asphalt emulsion?

The biggest trade off is that coal tar often offers superior resistance to fuels and certain chemicals, while asphalt emulsions may require polymer modification or system design changes to approach similar resistance. Asphalt emulsions can be more sensitive to curing conditions, and early tracking can occur if applied too thick or under humid weather. However, asphalt emulsions generally reduce regulatory risk and can provide excellent pavement protection when properly specified. A transition plan should include trial sections, rate adjustment, and possibly upgraded solids or polymer content.