catonb
These solutions are great for countries like the Netherlands. They only have about 88,000 miles of road. The fabrication and implementation is feasible. I'd be more interested in an overall solution for countries like the USA and China, both of whom carry 3 to 4 million miles of road. Perhaps using this on expressways in larger countries, which would need more maintenance more often. I'm also curious how the product handles scraping of snow.
Fretting Freddy the Ferret pressing the Fret
Great idea. However, I can't help but think of situations of fire (burning car tires, ignited volatile chemicals) on these roads, and imagine it turning into a gooey mess.
Rkt9
With the recent reduced demand for recycled plastics this a great idea that should be tested here in the US.
Mark Thomas
This seems a great idea - reusing crap materials.
cstroud
These sections look hollow and the main problem is going to be formation of surface ice as temperatures drop in cold climates. The lack of mass in the structure will make this effect much more pronounced unlike a solid road which will receive heat from the ground below. Bridge decks are very susceptible to icing in cold weather as there is nothing below. I like the view of the services which look neat but I am wondering how they can be maintained without penetrations which will eventually leak water. The sections might compete well against alternatives for small bridge decks depending on their structural qualities. The fear of fire is a major issue. There might be a market in dry warm climates.
Milton
"power generation" and "heated roads"... this is starting to sound just as dumb as Solar Roadways.
piperTom
I wish them luck, but I doubt there is enough scrapped plastic to make much of a dent in road building.
Also, I'd like to know about fire hazard. Asphalt in roads is mostly aggregate, so it doesn't burn easily. What about this stuff? Will the first car fire burn the whole road system?
AllenH
Conceptually this sounds like a great idea. It would be a great use for recycled plastic. However, I question whether the quantity of recyclable plastic available would be great enough to support very many miles of road.
In that case we would have to resort to creating new plastic for this purpose, but if the durability and other qualities of the plastic road are superior to that of asphalt and since both are ultimately made from petroleum products, the switch might well be worth it.
CaptD
Why not build a bike way first and then scale it upwards as needed?
It could become part of a Solarized Transportation Route that everyone using "personal mobility" devices (eBikes, eScooters, eMobility Chairs, eSkateboards or all similar devices) could use while limiting cars and trucks because of its width...
Bob Flint
Enough of the raw material is floating in our oceans, to bad decades ago we didn't put them to better use. The idea can work, but adhesion and changing surface conditions are many of the hurtles to overcome.