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]

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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