Highways Authority may introduce ‘self-healing roads’ to tackle potholes
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New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to introduce a new technology to self-heal potholes developing on the roads, NDTV reported citing DD News.
Developed from steel fibre and bitumen, the new material will spread over filling the potholes as they emerge.
It is reported citing a NHAI official that the new technology will solve the problem of potholes which contributes largely to road accidents in the country.
It is yet to know how long the asphalt will take to 'repair' a pothole.
"We are considering ingenious and unconventional methods to improve durability and to address the issue of potholes," a senior government official was quoted as saying.
NHAI believes that the new technology can extend the lifespan of roads and minimise traffic disruption from potholes.
Asphalt, currently used in the construction of pavements and highways, is made of a mixture of aggregates, binder and filler merging with bitumen and is environmentally friendly.
Specialised trucks are required to transport the hot asphalt mixture to work place, where it is spread using heavy machinery.
Potholes are formed when bitumen begins to erode over a long period of time, and the new technology aims to tackle this problem.
The project will get a go-ahead only after the government undertakes a cost-benefit analysis.