Potholes seem to be unavoidable for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. From causing tire damage to increasing the risk of accidents and injuries, potholes can be incredibly dangerous and expensive.
Craters in the road may seem like a fact of life, but they don’t have to be. In fact, with new detection and repair solutions in development every year, cities have more ways to improve road quality than ever before. Read on to discover some exciting, innovative solutions that can combat potholes and make roads safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Pothole Detection Technology
One of the first steps in combating road cavities is to identify them before they worsen. Several companies have developed sophisticated pothole detection technology that uses cameras and sensors to detect and analyze road surfaces for craters in roads. One solution for pothole detection is lidar, which uses laser pulses to create a detailed, real-time display of the surrounding terrain. By using data from lidar systems and other sensors, maintenance crews can quickly respond to potholes and other road hazards before they exacerbate.
Creating Stronger Repairs With Microwaves
Fast, accurate pothole detection is only one part of the equation. Transportation departments also need efficient and reliable ways of repairing cavities in the road.
One way to speed up pothole repairs is through the use of microwaves. Applying microwaves to asphalt heats up the area around the crater. After completing this prep work, the maintenance team can fill the hole with a mix that combines recycled asphalt and magnetite. The final step is to apply microwaves to the ground again to create a strong seal.
3D Road Printing
Another innovative solution that helps us combat potholes is 3D printing. Specialized 3D printers that contain extremely precise asphalt extruders can create pothole patches with greater speed and efficiency than traditional road repair methods. Some researchers have sped up the process even more by attaching these 3D printers to drones that can deploy automatically when integrated sensor systems detect a problem on roads.
One of the benefits of 3D printing technology is that it doesn’t stop at just potholes. Believe it or not, researchers have used 3D printing technology to create entire road surfaces! This allows road construction crews to repair extremely damaged roads and other areas with cracks and potholes quickly and accurately.
