TSA works with Local Government to turn old tyres into better roads

The City of Mitcham, in South Australia, is the latest local government authority to work with TSA on testing new mixes of crumbed rubber asphalt that can improve road durability and offer a significant recycling use for the millions of used tyres Australia generates each year.

A 335 metre stretch of the innovative road surface has been laid in the Adelaide satellite municipality.

The test will be looking at a range of performance factors, such as cracking, rutting, moisture retention and general durability. It is expected that the results will further drive the move to increase the specification of such roads nation-wide. A move that could easily double the use of end-of-life tyres in Australian road making.

Currently only about 10% of the over 56 million end-of-life tyres Australia generates each year is recycled domestically.

The City of Mitcham recycled approximately 850 used tyres in the trial asphalt resurfacing of Stanlake Avenue.

According to City of Mitcham Mayor, Heather Holmes-Ross “We are trialing the crumb rubber asphalt because of the significant environmental benefits as well as the opportunity to improve the quality and life of road pavements, particularly in areas of reactive clay soils.”

The test is scheduled to run for two years, with results monitored on a regular basis to assess the key performance parameters.

TSA’s work in the crumbed rubber asphalt space has also recently resulted in the publication, with the Australian Asphalt Pavement Association, of two national specifications for commonly used forms of crumbed rubber asphalt. Specifications that will provide further confidence for councils choosing to specify crumbed rubber asphalt for their roads.