Pothole policy
Spending on people usually commands more attention from the political process than does spending on things. That is because people have votes, but things do not. Current spending usually beats infrastructure hands down. Recent polls, however, suggest that this might be changing for one variety of thing. When asked to list the top problems in the UK, people list inflation, standard of living and crime. But an increasing number include potholes in their top-ranked problems.
There ways to deal with this, but they start with improved construction and materials, such as using longer-lasting asphalt and concrete mixtures, including polymer-modified bitumen which resists wear and water infiltration better. They could include warm-mix asphalt that reduces the risk of cracks during installation and extends surface life.
There could be more permeable road surfaces to help with drainage, reducing the water accumulation that is a major cause of potholes. Proper road drainage prevents water pooling and seeping into the road base, which causes freeze-thaw damage.
Early intervention could achieve much by fixing cracks and surface issues before they become potholes. It is far more cost-effective and could be achieved by routine inspections using sensor-equipped vehicles or drones to spot wear early. The use of jet-patching or infrared repair would bring faster, more seamless fixes that bond better with existing surfaces.
Technology & Innovation have roles to play using AI and data analytics to predict where potholes are likely to develop based on traffic patterns and weather data. The use of self-healing materials using capsules that release asphalt-like substances when cracks form could cut labour costs, as could automated repair robots that have already been tested for small, overnight road repairs to minimize disruption.
We should learn from abroad, looking at how other countries achieve effective road maintenance. Germany, for example, invests in high-quality road construction, with roads designed to last longer with thicker base layers and higher-grade materials. Japan does meticulous road maintenance and is famous for quick, efficient repairs with minimal disruption. Because they are earthquake-prone they build flexible roads that withstand extreme stress. The Netherlands have excellent drainage systems because their flat landscape demands good water management with roads designed with integrated storm-water solutions.
In the US Chicago uses asphalt infused with graphene for durability. Michigan is testing self-healing concrete and road-embedded sensors. Many US cities use pothole-patching machines that can be operated by one person.
The lesson in all of this is that in the UK the old ways bring a plethora of potholes, but this is partly a technical problem that could be addressed by innovation. It is true that there would be short-term costs to achieving long-term durability and lower maintenance costs, but as potholes rise in problems awareness, they can command more political attention to applying innovative techniques to solve them.
Madsen Pirie