you are describing an asphalt microseal over the entire road surface. they are describing sealing of cracks using asphalt "tar snakes". They address different

you are describing an asphalt microseal over the entire road surface. they are describing sealing of cracks using asphalt "tar snakes". They address different problems. Road resurfacing improves stopping distances and rough rides if the road is overall in ok condition. If the road has large cracks in it this does nothing Tar snakes are used to seal cracks from water because after rain the movement of vehicles over the wet subgrade under the road creates a pumping effect that ejects subgrade material out from the cracks and causes potholes in the future.