Asphalt used on road surfaces are byproducts from fossil fuel. With the ultimate goal of eliminating the use of fossil fuel to combat climate change, are there any good alternatives for road surfaces? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a viable replacement of asphalt in the works, or even a plan to replace it in any environmental discussions before. At least, not enough for me to notice.
Extented question would be: what are some products derived from fossil fuel that are used in everyday life, but still lack viable alternatives you don’t see enough discussions about?
…No they are very smooth. I think you are thinking of cobblestones.
Hmm, I may have. I admit I have never driven on brick roads before (cobblestone roads yes), so more input on people’s experience and long term observations with these would be great.
Do you think it’s viable in situations like high speed driving? Other potential problems?
Netherlands and Australia use brick in places where we want cars to slow down. Drivers automatically slow their speeds on brick roads. They’re fine to cycle on.
Why? Is it not smooth enough to drive fast on?
There’s more rumbling, which makes it feel faster.
That just means it feels uncomfortable and dangerous to drive fast on because it rumbles more, so they slow down.
I don’t think that’s how it works…
It really does. Source: am Dutch.
Okay… So what about the brick roads make you “feel faster”? I have never driven on one, and the only comparison I could think of is the difference of driving on freshly paved roads (very smooth) and roads that are a few years old. Maybe that’s the “rumble” that makes you feel like driving fast? I can kind of get that. Are those the same feeling?
Yeah, it’s mostly the noise (and a little bit of the vibration) that makes you feel faster. Doesn’t really happen when you drive the speed limit, which most of the time is 30 km/h for residential areas where it is common to have brick paving. Drive any faster, and you’ll feel uncomfortable in many ways, which causes all but a select few daredevils to just slow down and keep everyone safer. :) Add some traffic calming in the mix, such as speed bumps, zig-zags, trees, raised crossings, etc., and you have a street where parents feel comfortable having their kids play football outside.