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Idea Detail
790
Points

Asphalt Rubber Pavement

Mr. President Elect,

I am a engineering student graduating in May and have no affiliation to any company, so my motives are true.  I have a great idea that has multiple benifits and no drawbacks.  You will make everyone happy with this suggestion and although you may need a more professional estimate than what I give here, according to my research we will save money initially and over time.

Since we are investing large amounts in new highway infastructure, please consider allocating enough funds in your plan to be invested in asphalt-rubber road surfaces.  The technology was invented years ago to recycle used tires (an environmental nightmare) and integrate them into our road surfaces.  To explain briefly, the same technology has been refined by the Arizona Department of Transportation after years of research and now has begun succesfully incorporating it into their highway systems. The ADOT claims that although the initial cost of producing the asphalt-rubber mix is twice the amount of regular asphalt, only half the amount needs to be used in construction.  This by itself barely manages us to break even monitarily, but recycling a good amount of tires is not the only bird we hit with this stone.

You absolutely need to see the test videos and data to understand the magnatude of the differences, but i'll explain it here anyway.  The road surfaces can last two to four times longer! drastically decreasing the need for road maintanance and congesting construction zones.  Also safety is increased during inclement weather by drastically decreasing road spray from the vehicle ahead of you (google arizona dot reduced road spray video).  Lastly, the irritating road noise that drives down nearby home values is reduced so much it is almost unbelieveable (video also available).

I am not a professional engineer yet, but from the lengthy study I did on this subject and the facination I have with politics and current events, this is a no brainer.  It seems only natural that every American will love this idea, and once they get to use them, love their new safe, quiet, efficient, economically and environmentally friendly highways.

Thank you for listening, and good luck with your new job, we're all counting on you!

C. Hall
UND

10 Comments  »  Posted by chrishall0425 to Economy, Energy and Environment, Technology, Additional Issues on 1/12/2009 5:59 PM

Comments
 
bornintheusa
1/12/2009 6:10 PM

Your program will not work. It ignores the elephant in the room, the Federal Reserve. Also, feeding One Trillion Dollars to a bunch of fat tick construction and remodeling companies is insane! It's nothing more than trickledown job creation. What guarantee do WeThePeople have those new jobs will be created, instead of raises being given to “favored” employees. At least start with One Half Trillion to WeThePeople, and the other half for infrastructure! Unless a radical change is made, Mr. President, beginning with the re-organization of the Federal Reserve, you will become the first American President to preside over the Greatest of All Depressions. I hope this helps.

Further, Mr. President, our economic system is based on two main principals. The first is that consumer spending is two-thirds of the economy. The second is that every dollar spent at retail is spent seven times in a year. The current plan is to send 90% of the money to non-consumers. Any plan that does not target consumers is doomed to failure.

It makes no sense to offer help to fat tick construction companies when consumers are not spending and banks are not lending. Is it too much to ask that the American Family get something directly to help their “crumbling economic structure” when consumers are not spending, and banks are not lending?  You are not FDR despite the Time Magazine Article. Quit listening to FDR experts. We’re at a New Gate!

http://vimeo.com/2783535

 
Proud KY Citizen
1/12/2009 6:19 PM
Hi Chris Hall,

I really don't think bornintheusa's comments apply here... I mean in a way they do but NOT... Your idea is fantastic and don't let others that downplay it get you less involved with the promotion of this absolute brilliant suggestion...

I would love to drive on one of those roads in Arizona... Too bad I am so far away... But have a friend there and will ask how they like them....

Take Care and May God Bless and never let your DREAMS go because of others...
 
chrishall0425
1/12/2009 6:23 PM
I understand the irrelevant point you're trying to make.  Giving money to banks was ridiculous of course, we saw nothing, and nothing was gained except large banks now have secured their future no matter what.  However investing in infrastructure is what made our economy roar in every generation.
 
chrishall0425
1/12/2009 6:24 PM
Thanks Proud!  I just found this website, it's awesome! 
 
Connie
1/12/2009 6:37 PM
There was a female engineering student who designed a sidewalk that generates power when pedestrians walk on it.  It was aired on Sundance I think and people walked on it, kids hopped on it and it stored energy in a battery.  The material it was comprised of was flexible.  I don't know if it was rubber or not.
 
JimBO
1/12/2009 10:09 PM
 Great idea.  The time it takes for roads to be built and repaired is getting really annoying.  You would think there would be a better way to build a road.
 
Palal
1/13/2009 9:16 AM
Great idea. Already used in California.
 
Keri
1/13/2009 12:46 PM
Thanks Chris!  It's nice to see a solid idea for change rather than just complaints. You've got my vote!
 
chrishall0425
1/13/2009 2:39 PM
Thank you everyone for the good comments, and yes California and New Mexico have been dipping their feet in the water as well!  The ground surface conditions and weather have to be a little better for when you lay the stuff.  In northern climates this may be logistically difficult, but other than that it's wonderful...
 
ChrisD
1/14/2009 12:03 AM
Is this what they use in Germany?  Because my son tells me that what they use on the roads there is much better, lasts longer and is less expensive to build with and maintain....so why haven't we been using it?  
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