U.S. Researcher @ Purdue University: “Roads Need to be ‘Smart’ … Here’s Why …”

Luna Lu is investigating unique ways to build artificial intelligence into concrete-paved
highways and bridges, enabling them to prevent and repair their own damage.
(Purdue University photo/John Underwood). Click to enlarge.

… the materials the roads are made of would have
the ability to digitally communicate through technology
embedded beneath the surface or repair themselves.

“Our roads won’t get safer if we continue fixing potholes or building infrastructure as we have been building them. We need to think about how to incorporate a digital transformation,” said Luna Lu, Professor-Lyles School of Civil Engineering and Director, The Center for Intelligent Infrastructure, Purdue University. An expert in innovating concrete to improve roads, Lu gives 3 reasons why roads need a digital facelift:

1. Roads that “talk” might cut down on construction – and traffic. Lu developed sensors that can more accurately “tell” engineers when freshly paved concrete is ready to take on heavy traffic—reducing the likelihood of the concrete developing cracks and needing to be repaired again. Fewer repairs throughout the year would mean fewer traffic slowdowns due to construction. “We don’t need to completely rebuild existing infrastructure to make it smarter. Implementing sensors is low-hanging fruit,” Lu said.
2. Smarter roads could be better for the environment. The process of producing one ton of cement can generate up to one ton of carbon dioxide. Less road repair would reduce cement production. Lu and her collaborators are working on materials that would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of cement. Lu’s lab also is developing a way that concrete could heal its own cracks.
3. We’ll be using roads differently in the future. Population growth patterns change over time, affecting the flow of traffic. Electric and autonomous vehicles would also change the layout of roads and how they are used. Lu continued, “Infrastructure shapes us, and we shape infrastructure. When a lot of our roads were first built in the U.S., we didn’t have tools that could collect data and inform decisions. Now we do have those tools. We need policies and regulation that are more adaptive to human needs.”

SmartCrete CRC

Similar research is being considered and planned to commence under the SmartCrete CRC, within the Research Program of “Asset Management”.  This program is concerned with the way we manage our concrete assets and includes development of sensing systems to monitor structural health and usage and inform lifetime models. SmartCrete CRC is the turning point for the facilitation of research for the concrete supply chain. It provides contacts, connections and funding for successful research projects to address the various issues and challenges for concrete, especially in its application in infrastructure. The SmartCrete CRC Research Program core themes were developed through a series of industry partner workshops that identified 3 industry problem areas.

Program Themes
Program 1 – Engineered Solutions
Program 2 – Asset Management
Program 3 – Sustainability

For further details, please see the SmartCrete CRC website: http://smartcretecrc.com.au/research/

Prologue: Purdue University researchers recently attended and presented research on intelligent roads during the “World Of Coal Ash 2022”, May 16-19 in Covington Kentucky. The focus was on how to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete pavements through increased incorporation of coal combustion products (e.g. fly ash), while addressing #2 above—Smarter roads could be better for the environment.

To read the full article, please go to:
Australian Society for Concrete Pavements (ASCP) Article: https://concretepavements.com.au/us-researcher-purdue-university-roads-need-to-be-smart-heres-why/
Purdue University article: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2022/Q2/expert-roads-need-to-be-smart.-heres-why..html