Dangerous street deformations: Heat wave allows motorways explode!

Dangerous street deformations: Heat wave allows motorways explode!

Bensheim, Deutschland - High temperatures not only make life difficult, they also represent a real danger to our highways. In the last days of heat there were two dangerous “blow-ups” on the A5-between Fernwald and the Gambacher Kreuz as well as between Zwingenberg and Bensheim. In these incidents, the lane arched up on the joints and ensured massive traffic disruptions. The "blow-up" near Bensheim was particularly dramatic because it resulted in the blocking of an entire section of the street in order to avert the dangers and carry out repairs. The concrete slabs that are processed every five meters on the joints were particularly affected. These are replaced when repairing the asphalt, which reduces the tension and significantly reduces the risk of other "blow-ups" (as [stern.de] (https://www.stern.de/sgesellschaft/regional/hessen/infrastructure ---auf-aut-autobahnen-bei-hitze--blow-ups ---krein-3589354.html).

But what exactly leads to these dangerous deformations? The explanation is in the continuing summer heat. When the thermometer increases above 60 degrees, cracks and unmistakable damage can occur on the road blankets. Regardless of whether it is motorways or country roads - the street infrastructure no longer has the heat under control. Markus Oeser, President of the Federal Agency for Roads, emphasizes the urgency of keeping older concrete lanes in mind, since they are particularly susceptible to such damage. These sections are now monitored with sensors and measuring vehicles. For asphalt roads, the heat also represents a challenge, because they tend to form tracks at extreme temperatures, which makes them also dangerous in heavy rainfall, such as fre.de.

climate change as a challenge for infrastructure

The challenges of climate change should not be underestimated. The need for adaptation to the rising temperatures presents the infrastructure in front of immense tasks. Researchers are already working on projects such as ADSVIS that recognizes and analyzes climate change -related risks for road traffic infrastructure. The development and implementation of adaptation measures are essential to minimize future dangers such as "blow-ups". A central project is the risk analysis of the traffic axes in the federal highway network, which is intended to fundamentally examine the effects of climate change on our streets. In addition to road surfaces, aspects such as the drainage are also considered to be able to better process fall floods, such as on the website of the [Environmental Federal Agency] (https://www.umweltbundamt.de/themen/klima-energie/kuzeugen-anpahlt/werkzeug-der-der-Deprojektkatalog/Adsvis-DaTrasse infrastructure) can be read.

One of the innovative products that contributes to improving the street infrastructure is "climate adaptation". This special covering can absorb up to 100 liters of rainwater per square meter and is a big step towards a more heat -resistant and rain -proof road surface. According to Lutz Weiler, Managing Director of Offenbach asphalt construction and mixer, this technology could not only reduce the street pollution, but also relieve the sewage system considerably.

Caution on the streets! Passers -by and drivers now have to be careful on the streets. The dangers shown such as "blow-ups" and the formation of track channels make it clear that drivers are also required, for example due to defensive driving and larger distance from other vehicles. So the motto of the hour is: open your eyes and drive safely!