Your Old, Worn Tires Can Prevent Potholes and Road Repair at Pricey

Every driver knows the roar of a pothole that you didn’t see coming. It’s always shocking, dropping leaves and maybe some obvious words. That’s right. It doesn’t matter if you have the best tires with the best warranty – potholes can cause a crash and ruin your day. This problem is especially problematic in cities with extreme temperature fluctuations, where the asphalt can show serious road craters. If you’re wondering why the roads you drive on – from inner-city grids, to highways, to back roads – seem to be in a constant state of decay, the answer often lies in what’s beneath that marked asphalt.

You probably already know how potholes form, and why they are dangerous. If not, consider a subgrade, such as a mattress, while asphalt can be considered sheets. A weak subgrade – things like mud or clay – can lead to uneven alignment and surface cracks, or worse, deep holes. This is where worn tires, called Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) in the industry, come into play. According to CalRecycle experts, TDA is the lightweight subgrade of choice that weighs about a third of the weight of conventional pothole fill. By replacing the heavy fill in these shredded tires, state engineers can reduce the vertical pressure on the foundation soil. TDA also acts as a thermal blanket, sealing the subgrade to help prevent frost damage which is often a precursor to potholes. In addition, this rubber compound actually helps improve water flow, an important factor for longevity on the road.

Some states have brutal roads, while others are blessed with truly luxurious asphalt. If you’ve ever cruised down a highway and noticed that some surfaces feel smoother and quieter than others, you may have been on Rubberized Asphalt Concrete (RAC). It may seem silly to think that asphalt technology can improve so much, but RAC is actually the best way to improve. It is made by mixing recycled, used tires – known as crumb rubber – with any metal that has been removed, then mixed with traditional asphalt.

This type of road material is able to withstand extreme temperatures, while it accommodates thousands of vehicles each day. Impressive stuff. In addition, the natural statistics are as impressive as the internal aspects of the content. One mile of single lane RAC recycling can save nearly 2,000 scrap tires from ending up in landfills – amazing stuff. Thanks to the research and development of this style of road equipment, counties and municipalities can reduce the burden of expensive road maintenance while extending the life of highways and roads. For anyone who spends a lot of time driving, this is a win in the battle against potholes. Drive safe!