Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds and the construction sector is not far behind. Operation Asphalt 2024 will repair 323 streets throughout the capital, totaling 930,000 square meters. For this, the Madrid City Council is going to use a budget of 16.4 million euros. Furthermore, in these repair tasks an innovative material is being implemented that is not surprising for its composition, but for its curious smell that has not left anyone indifferent: The asphalt smells like tropical fruits.
The first street where it has been used is on Jazmín Street, which now smells of mango. This novelty is part of a series of measures that aim improve the lives of Madrid residents. For this reason, the City Council has decided to use this innovative aromatized asphalt mixture (MAAr) that has been developed by Padecasa, an expert company in the manufacturing of materials, in collaboration with the Alfonso X el Sabio University of Madrid (UAX).
In fact, Ángel Sampedro, director of the engineering and architecture area at UAX and one of the authors of the research, explains to 20 minutes that is a “pioneer” project at an international level because “there is no evidence of any study ex ante nor ex post of this technique beyond a small experiment on a street in St. Petersburg.
How to reduce odor pollution
“The idea of this material arose from trying to alleviate odor pollution classified in Europe as the second environmental nuisance and is produced by annoying or unpleasant odors that generate a large number of complaints from citizens,” continues Sampedro. Therefore, MAAr have been created to mask certain “not so pleasant” odors, such as those caused by municipal solid waste, fertilizer in parks and gardens…
This is how flavored asphalt is developed
The aromatized asphalt It is created by adding a liquid additive to the mixture at the asphalt plant itself. so that it is released and emits a pleasant aroma during the work. The duration of the smell once its application is complete depends on factors such as “the type of aroma, traffic, temperature and humidity”, but, in general, it is estimated that it can last between two and four weeks. Furthermore, Sampedro explains that in the next tests You will play with different combinations of floral and citrus aromas.
“It has been studied and shown that this additive does not alter the performance or functions of asphalt mixtures, but, in addition, allows the use of more sustainable techniques in paving,” continues Sampedro. In fact, MAAr is also positive for operators because it expels less smoke and hydrocarbon during pouring.
What is butiminous pavement and why is it used?
Another of the innovations that the City Council is going to implement is the application of a decontaminating treatment on the asphalt that will eliminate more than six kilos of nitrogen oxide per year, which is proportional to the pollution of 60,000 vehicles per year. On the other hand, this material, technically called bituminous pavement, is a more durable and profitable type of asphalt than “simple” asphalt. This is because it is composed of bitumen and crushed stone, which reduces polluting gas emissions between 11% and 35%.
Within the same framework of sustainability, a third of the total paved surface It will be made with rubber mixtures from 60,000 reused tires. On the other hand, more than 100,000 square meters will be paved with mixtures that have more resistant, sound-proof properties and greater durability than the usual mixtures, but this last material will be used only on streets with greater traffic intensity.
