Previously, we told you about a wacky idea across the pond that involves converting railroad tracks into roads. Yesterday, the BBC published a look at the implementation of the idea. Essentially, the type of rubber panels used at railway crossings are laid for the entire length of a railroad, to create a path that cars can drive on. “It took four men five days to put down 300m of road,” said Peter Coates Smith of Holdfast, the company behind the scheme. “The panels we’d be using [in the future] are three times as long, so you can imagine 900m in five days.” Mr. Coates Smith says the rubber surfaces are superior to regular pavement in almost every way. “There are no potholes, there’s no cracking, no spoiling from frost and it’s very quiet” he said.
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06/01, 9:32 AM
posted by:
dan
nifty. do it. Bet it isn’t cheap though!
06/01, 9:36 AM
posted by:
Frank
in the previous article, the rubber is said to be quite a bit cheaper than asphalt.
06/01, 9:40 AM
posted by:
mc
And what are they like in the rain?
06/01, 10:04 AM
posted by:
DubTwo
they’d need to set-up a system to ensure no trains meet cars at the same time.
06/01, 10:34 AM
posted by:
Xtreme
Why dont they just start using this technology for regular roads. One lane railways will hardly do any good, maybe for recreational bicycling. Think of the rail ways now in use. Half the time they cross over busy roads, or just lead to places that have been abandoned. I hate waiting for the train to pass the railway crossing now! I cant imagine having to wait around for a train of cars during rushour. not to mention there is only one lane with no shoulder. And what happens when a car breaks down and blocks everyone, its not like you can simply go around. I dont think the railway are a good avenue for cars, but start creating roads with this material and I think its got potential.
06/01, 10:42 AM
posted by:
peter
I’m sure in states like Michigan, where ice prettymuch destroys many high travel roads so that they have to be patched every couple years, and completely rebuilt every decade, that a technology like rubber roads that handles the cold a bit better would end up saving a lot of money, even if it cost a good bit more in the first place.
But, for now, we’re stuck with the lowest bidder, making crappy, wavey roads that break down amazingly fast.
06/01, 10:45 AM
posted by:
TW
#5 WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON????????
06/01, 12:05 PM
posted by:
Chad
I also come from the planet called Michigan and agree completely with #5.
06/01, 12:14 PM
posted by:
jan trondsen
Hey! That rubbers ribbed for our pleasure! Sweet.
j!
06/01, 1:23 PM
posted by:
DubTwo
I’m from Planet Michigan as well… there sure are alot of us here. These outsiders don’t know much.
06/01, 1:53 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
#7: what planet are YOU from? AFAIK, no roads here have more than, say 10%, of rubber content in them. But to make them fully (or mostly, > 90%), now THAT is something to think about.
06/01, 2:57 PM
posted by:
Bob Down
I’m sorry i wasn’t aware anyone still lived in Michigan
06/01, 4:00 PM
posted by:
Rob
Wow! Rubber roads. I bet they’re really safe too, esp. when they’re wet and covered with ice. Now, I can see how the British think they’re better then the rest of the world. What’s next? Igloo’s in the desert?
06/01, 4:50 PM
posted by:
Marc
Wow! What will they think of next? Rubber tires may be a concept…
06/02, 7:29 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
they’d need to set-up a system to ensure no trains meet cars at the same time.
Comment by DubTwo, posted on June1 at 10:04 am
They’re unused railways, only TRAMS and cars would be on it at any one time… :/
As for it being pricey?
“We’re talking about £1.4m per mile compared with £20m per mile for a new road,”
But:
“The Highways Agency disputes these costs. They say that £20m buys you a mile of 3-lane motorway, complete with a hard shoulder, rather than just a single-lane rubber highway.”
I suppose 3 lanes plus hard shoulder = 4 lane equivalent… 20/4 is £5m per mile per lane
Anyway, as for slippery when iced, so are normal roads…
06/02, 12:32 PM
posted by:
Mike
Johnny Blaze!! Soulds like the name a gay pornstar would use.
“Anyway, as for slippery when iced, so are normal
roads”
You’re joking right?
06/02, 1:46 PM
posted by:
Marc
Mike, be nice. That’s his real name.
06/02, 5:47 PM
posted by:
DenniZ
Isn’t Johhny Blaze a clothing brand? You know, a brand that makes those PIMP/Rappers/Gangster XXL clothing?
Anyway, you ever tried rubbing to wet rubbers against eachother… Sounds good for some slipping-coarse.
06/03, 1:23 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
I thought his name referred to Ghost Rider, a.k.a. Johnny Blaze. :-/