In Irkutsk, an innovative rubber surface made from recycled car tires will be tested at one of the busiest intersections. It should be all season, non slip, and more resistant to weather, and also reduce tram noise and vibration. If the pilot project shows good results, the surface will be used on other city streets too.
“The material from which the surface is made is recycled automobile tires. We enter into contracts with enterprises for the recycling of hazardous waste. 40 kg of raw material is required for one square meter of rubber surfacing. The advantages of this material are that it is all-season, does not crack, does not burst, does not slip - it is well suited to our climatic conditions,” explained Sergey Sporyshev, director of RESINPOL LLC.The enterprise received a subsidy from the city budget for the implementation of the project - 558 thousand rubles, which is 60% of its cost.
“Ultimately, we would like to see this project implemented throughout the city. We chose this intersection for the pilot - traffic here is heavy. And within a year it will be clear how effective the innovation is. If it proves itself well, the surface will be used further on the city streets,” said Alexey Alimuhamedov, chairman of the economic committee.
The MUE Gorlectrotrans is also interested in implementing the innovation. As the enterprise’s director, Andrey Makovetsky, commented, the use of these technologies will reduce the noise from tram passage and provide additional vibration isolation.
Based on materials from the press service of the administration of the city of Irkutsk