When we drive through the vast network of highways in the United States, few people realize that these seemingly ordinary roads hide an astonishing secret.
Highways are vital connectors between cities and villages, playing an important role in economic, social, and personal development. To improve the quality and safety of roads, the United States has adopted an innovative approach using tire burial technology in road restoration. This technology can significantly enhance road quality and safety while actively contributing to environmental protection.
The U.S. uses tire burial technology for road restoration. (Illustrative photo: Zhihu).
Traditional road repair methods often utilize asphalt mixtures, but these materials are prone to aging and cracking, leading to potholes and cracks on the surface. Tire burial technology uses waste tires as filling material by shredding them and embedding them under the road, effectively filling cracks and potholes. The elasticity of the tires can absorb shocks and vibrations when vehicles are in motion, thereby reducing the impact on the road surface and extending its lifespan.
Waste tires are often discarded or burned at will, generating emissions and toxic pollutants that severely harm the environment. However, using tire burial technology for road repairs can effectively utilize this waste tire volume, reduce waste generation, and minimize environmental pollution. The burial of tires can also absorb shocks and reduce noise, making roadways quieter and more environmentally friendly.
The elasticity of tires can absorb shocks and vibrations while vehicles are in motion. (Illustrative photo: Zhihu).
Reducing Vibration and Noise While Driving
In traditional road construction, vehicles generate significant vibrations and noise due to friction between tires and the road surface. Friction causes vehicles to shake, which then transmits to the driver and passengers, negatively impacting safety and driving comfort. The noise generated while driving also affects the lives of nearby residents. The introduction of tire burial technology is specifically aimed at addressing these issues.
The core idea of tire burial technology is to embed a layer of special material on the road surface to reduce direct contact between tires and the road. This special material is typically made from a mixture of rubber and asphalt. There are two methods of tire burial: fully buried tires and half-buried tires. Fully buried tires mean that the entire tire is embedded in the material, while half-buried tires have part of the tire buried in the road while the rest remains exposed.
Through tire burial technology, the friction between tires and the road is significantly reduced, thereby minimizing vibration and noise. This shock absorption effect not only improves driver comfort but also reduces vehicle wear and extends its lifespan. Additionally, tire burial technology can enhance road safety. Reduced vibration can decrease driver fatigue and improve focus, subsequently lowering the rate of traffic accidents.
Tire burial technology can also enhance road safety. (Illustrative photo: Zhihu)
Besides improving driving comfort and safety, tire burial technology also has a positive impact on the environment. Noise pollution on roads is a significant issue in urban environments, and the application of tire burial technology can effectively reduce noise pollution levels. This positively affects the quality of life for nearby residents. Furthermore, tire burial technology can also reduce environmental pollutants emitted by vehicles, playing a role in environmental protection.
As an advanced nation in transportation, the United States is committed to innovating and improving technology in highway construction. The implementation of tire burial technology is an important measure taken by the U.S. to enhance driving comfort and safety on highways. By reducing vibration and noise while driving, it not only improves comfort and safety but also minimizes negative environmental impacts.
It is believed that in future road construction, tire burial technology will be more widely used and will promote the development of the entire transportation sector towards safer and more environmentally friendly practices.
Extending Road Lifespan and Reducing Maintenance Costs
Highways are crucial transportation routes connecting cities and villages, playing an essential role in promoting economic and social development. However, due to prolonged transport pressures and harsh weather conditions, the wear and damage of highway surfaces have become increasingly serious issues. The U.S. buries tires on highways to extend the lifespan of the roadway and reduce maintenance costs.
Burying tires in road construction not only makes it more durable but also capable of withstanding heavier traffic loads. (Illustrative photo: Zhihu)
The technology of building roads with buried tires is an advanced road maintenance method that shreds waste rubber tires into granules, mixes them with asphalt, and spreads them on the road surface. This method not only effectively minimizes waste tire processing problems but also reduces the input of new materials. Studies have shown that adding rubber granules can enhance the flexibility and durability of the road surface while improving its crack and impact resistance. By burying tires in road construction, highway surfaces become not only more durable but also able to withstand heavier traffic loads.
Tire burial road construction technology has been widely applied in the U.S. For example, in Texas and Florida, authorities have started using this new road construction method on several high-traffic highways. According to related statistics, the lifespan of roads constructed with buried tires is more than 50% longer than that of traditional roads, and maintenance costs are reduced by about 20%. This is crucial for the long-term sustainability of highways and helps the government save significant maintenance costs.
The implementation of tire burial road repair technology not only positively impacts road lifespan but also protects the environment. Waste tires represent a global environmental issue, and their disposal and destruction exert significant pressure on the environment. By utilizing waste tires, the demand for landfilling and incineration can be diminished, reducing the emission of harmful substances and effectively addressing the waste tire processing issue, thus protecting the environment.
The tire burial road repair technology has a positive impact on road lifespan. (Illustrative photo: Zhihu).
Although the tire burial road repair technology has been widely used in the United States, it still requires continuous improvement and optimization. For instance, how to better address the adhesion issues between tire granules and asphalt, as well as how to ensure the smoothness and anti-skid properties of the road surface, need further research and practice. Standards and operational criteria for tire burial road repair technology also need to be enhanced to ensure quality and safety in road repair operations.
Regardless of the arguments for or against this approach, we cannot overlook the environmental protection potential that buried tires on roads can provide. After all, highway construction is always a field of continuous development and innovation, and we need to keep focusing on and discussing these emerging solutions.
