These Eco-Friendly Roads are Low-Maintenance and Easy to Install
Katherine Pendrill — July 14, 2015 — Autos
References: en.volkerwessels & treehugger
A Dutch construction firm called 'VolkerWessels' has begun drawing up plans for revolutionary eco-friendly roads made from recycled plastic. Currently most roads are made from asphalt, which is problematic because this material emits a great deal of carbon dioxide and contributes to urban heat island effects. VolkerWessels has devised a way to combat these issues by making use of plastic waste as a roadbed material.
The eco-friendly roads would be made entirely out of recycled plastic. Plastic is an ideal construction material because it is lighter and hollow, meaning less weight on the ground. These features mean shorter construction times and less long-term maintenance. Plastic would also make it easier for road crews to install utility pipelines and other cables below the surface of the road.
VolkerWessels is going to begin testing its new plastic roadbeds in Rotterdam. If the project is successful, we may soon begin seeing plastic roads replacing asphalt as a primary construction material.
The eco-friendly roads would be made entirely out of recycled plastic. Plastic is an ideal construction material because it is lighter and hollow, meaning less weight on the ground. These features mean shorter construction times and less long-term maintenance. Plastic would also make it easier for road crews to install utility pipelines and other cables below the surface of the road.
VolkerWessels is going to begin testing its new plastic roadbeds in Rotterdam. If the project is successful, we may soon begin seeing plastic roads replacing asphalt as a primary construction material.
Trend Themes
1. Recycled Plastic Roads - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in road construction by utilizing recycled plastic as a more sustainable alternative to asphalt.
2. Eco-friendly Construction - Disruptive innovation potential in the construction industry by incorporating more sustainable materials like recycled plastic into infrastructure projects.
3. Lightweight Road Construction - Emerging trend in road construction using lighter materials such as recycled plastic for faster and more efficient installation and reduced long-term maintenance.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Opportunity for disruption in the construction industry by adopting innovative practices and materials like recycled plastic for more sustainable infrastructure projects.
2. Waste Management - Disruptive innovation potential in the waste management industry by finding innovative solutions to repurpose plastic waste into construction materials for road infrastructure.
3. Urban Planning - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in urban planning by incorporating eco-friendly road construction methods using recycled plastic to reduce carbon emissions and heat island effects.
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