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Pothole-identifying substrate

Make potholes stand out so you can avoid them
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(+5)
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Semi-inspired by [oxygon]'s 'Self-Healing Roads'.

Until we get self-healing roads, why not pour the underlayment with a material that color-contrasts with the surface color of the road? Flourescent yellow and orange come to mind as obvious choices, but just about any bright color would work.

Plus side: A brightly colored underlayment would make it easy to avoid potholes - maybe even those potholes you wouldn't normally see due to a puddle. Also makes it easy for Transportation officials to easily determine the condition of the road from the air.

Minus side: I'm not sure how much help it would be in the dark, but I don't dare propose a glow-in-the-dark substrate (okay, I just did). Also doesn't help when you're just going too fast to avoid the pothole. Lastly, how much does it add to the cost of the road?

phoenix, May 10 2002

Self-Healing Roads http://www.halfbake...elf-Healing_20Roads
[phoenix, May 10 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]

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       In the dark, it would probably be better to mix in some sort of coloured reflective grain - it wouldn't glow in the dark (else we'd confuse 'em with the dog poop), but it would appear to sparkle in a particular way when shone on by headlights.
yamahito, May 10 2002
  

       moveable potholes. man comes along with a *gadget* that pushes / shunts the pothole to the side of the road. what do you mean, it can't be done ? I just need time to work it out.
po, May 10 2002
  

       Just do what you do with holes in the carpet--throw a rug over it, or move the sofa.
pottedstu, May 10 2002
  

       Most potholes are a result of the road surface sinking, so the substrate won't be visible.
rbl, May 10 2002
  

       In Michigan, we consider potholes an endangered natural resource, protected by the Department of Transportation. At least that's the only theory I can come up with that explains things around here.
RayfordSteele, May 16 2002
  

       I love it!
Bohemianqueen, May 16 2002
  

       I like [yamahito]'s suggestion. Use cats-eye type beads in the road substrate. Or at least put some in afterwards.
How else to mark or detect the position, especially under water?
The only thing I can think of is GPS, or ultrasonics/ radar.
I don't agree with [rbl] about the reason for potholes - I think most are caused by water ingress into a small crack which is then widened by hydraulic action of the impact of tyres on the subsequent puddle.
Ling, Oct 26 2004
  


 

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