Atlanta sees early success with rubber-modified asphalt, raising questions for other states
A year after Atlanta installed its first roadway made with recycled tire rubber, city officials say the project is delivering on many of its promises, from reducing noise to improving durability.
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A year after Atlanta installed its first roadway made with recycled tire rubber, city officials say the project is delivering on many of its promises, from reducing noise to improving durability.
The surface, known as rubber-modified asphalt, has been widely used in parts of the country for decades. Supporters argue it lasts longer than conventional pavement and can ultimately save taxpayers money despite higher upfront costs.
Now, transportation leaders in Atlanta are looking to expand its use after what they describe as encouraging early results.
One of the city's first applications of the material can be found on Ellis Street, a busy tourist corridor in downtown Atlanta. The pavement incorporates recycled tires into the asphalt binder, creating a road surface that proponents say is more flexible and resilient than traditional asphalt.
"The state of Georgia has invested in this product and it's something we recognize our communities could take advantage of," said Solomon Caviness, commissioner of the Atlanta Department of Transportation.
According to Caviness, the benefits extend beyond road longevity. He said the surface has created a quieter driving environment, reduced wear and tear and helped lessen the intense heat often felt on city streets during the summer months.
"The overall benefits we get relative to impacts to the community, the cooling effects it has to our downtown center, but also as the technology proliferates we're looking to install it in many parts throughout the city," Caviness said.
Advocates of rubber-modified asphalt acknowledge that it can cost more to install initially than conventional pavement. However, they argue that the investment pays off over time because roads require fewer repairs and replacement cycles.
Stratton Kirton of Liberty Tire Recycling said the material's durability is one of its greatest advantages.
"In percentage terms, it's easily around 40 percent longer," Kirton said. "What that means for us is a typical road is going to last three to five years longer than it would if it didn't have rubber as a modifier in it."
The longer lifespan can translate into lower maintenance expenses and fewer disruptions for drivers, supporters say.
Atlanta officials believe those potential long-term savings justify the higher upfront investment.
"We feel the investment is worth the life cycle of the investment," Caviness said. "We've seen that it's held up beautifully. We want to broaden the benefits of this technology throughout other communities and other corridors in the city."
While Georgia continues to embrace the technology, rubber-modified asphalt remains relatively uncommon in the Northeast.
New York City has used the material in limited applications, while Connecticut incorporates recycled tire material into asphalt-rubber chip seals used on lower-volume roads. Neither state, however, has adopted rubber-modified asphalt on a widespread basis.
That leaves an open question for motorists who regularly contend with potholes and recurring roadwork: could a road surface that has shown promise elsewhere help extend the life of local streets and highways?
