DALLAS — Most of us have probably hit a gnarly pothole in our time driving here in North Texas – which can happen anywhere – but there is new technology being testing here that’s not in place everywhere to help fix those bumps in the road: "Talking" concrete.
The Purdue University researcher and inventor of the system, Luna Lu, describes the new technology as putting a sensor in in any concrete structure.
The sensors can then “tell the engineer and the contractors if its strength is ready to take on any construction, or take on any major traffic."
The AI technology also lets engineers know if the concrete mix is right for the area, depending on the water used for the mixture, and the average temperatures where it’s being used – which can help the state to save later in repairs, if the mixture is optimal for that area to begin with.
The main goals of the technology are to cut down cement use, catch problems before they deteriorate and accelerate construction time for repairs.
Luna said Texas was quickly chosen to test out this technology because it is “leading other states in terms of the innovation of transportation.”
Another reason her team wanted to work with Texas is because of the size of the state, and room to expand sensors on highways.
So why should you care?
Well, the sensor technology and AI guided optimization is expected to bring several benefits to drivers and taxpayers.
Lu says one benefit is that it can “help accelerate the construction schedule to about 30 to 35 percent,” as well as reduce the amount of cement we use on projects, ultimately lowering the output of carbon emissions during construction projects.
Most impactful, it could save taxpayers millions of dollars. And who doesn’t want to save a little money?
"You and I don't have to sit in the traffic and waste our time, the money, and the gas,” Lu said.
The less time we spend in traffic saves us gas, which is a direct result of faster construction project times.
Texas is joined by nine other states in testing it out, and it's already here North Texas!
The sensors are currently in place on Interstate 35 in Hillsboro.
The technology is six years in the making, but it could replace decades old technology – and save us a lot of trouble and money in the long run.
So "talking" roads – yes please!
As always, if you have a traffic concern in your area, you can email us here.
