Considering how much pavement we have, mixing glass with pavement seems like a great idea. But there are several problems with glassphalt that keep it from being used frequently.
Glassphalt: a seemingly great way to recycle all those glass bottles we throw away daily. Every week, Americans throw away enough glass bottles to fill a 1,350 square foot building. Considering how much pavement we have (3.9 million miles–enough to circle the Earth’s equator 157 times over) mixing glass with pavement seems like a great idea. Plus, it makes our roads sparkle in the light! But there are several problems with glassphalt that keep it from being used frequently. Let’s explore them!
Aggregate Problems
Glass isn’t a conventional ingredient in aggregate; this means it has to be processed and added into the mixture in a way that doesn’t make the pavement unstable. Once the glass has been collected, it must be cut down to a specific size and rounded out. Then, it must be added into the aggregate without ruining the pavement mixture entirely.
Use Restrictions
Glassphalt can’t be used for every road. Because it decreases skid resistance, it can’t be used for low-speed roadways, or any roadway over 65 mph. It’s also a safety issue; in the rain, it becomes too slippery and shiny. This makes it unfit for use on most roads. It was considered a good material for roads in Baltimore, because it required much less maintenance for an area which had been prone to potholes. It was considered easier to maintain, but at a cost that isn’t considered worth it on a widespread scale.
Not Worth it
Even though it’s recycling, it’s not on a widespread enough scale to actually make much of a difference. Glass content would only make up 10-20% of the pavement, which hardly makes a dent in the amount of glass we throw away as a nation. With all the problems associated with glassphalt, it doesn’t seem worth it to invest our time and money into the procedure.
PTG Enterprises can solve your pavement problems!
PTG stands out as an industry leader due to our methodology of pavement management planning: a systematic, long-term approach to managing and extending the life of your pavement.
We will work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy to extend and maximize the lifespan of your asphalt and concrete surfaces and care for all aspects of your grounds which keep them beautiful and dry, including storm drains.
If you have any questions about winter asphalt maintenance, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
