California generates millions of scrap tires every year. With the Tire Recycling Management Act, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) is leading the way in the effort to recycle tire materials and provide a longer lasting, more durable surface course than traditional asphalt paving. One of the ways CIWMB provides assistance is by promoting the use of rubberized asphalt concrete, commonly known as RAC and affectionately referred to as “rubber roads.”

There are numerous success stories proving that RAC works in California. One of these is The City of Thousand Oaks, which has been using Rubberized Asphalt Hot Mix since 1991. Rubberized asphalt is a hot-mixed asphalt pavement containing crumb rubber. The crumb rubber serves as a “modifier” of the liquid asphalt. Its addition gives the liquid asphalt greater viscosity (resistance to flow) and improves other properties which resist reflective cracking and rutting, and prolong pavement life. The crumb rubber utilized is generated from processing scrap tires. The tires are shredded and the steel reinforcement and fibers separated from the rubber. The steel reinforcement is commonly recycled into new reinforcing steel used in structure construction and the fibers commonly recycled into pads used underneath carpeting.

Rubberized asphalt concrete is cost effective, noise suppressant, long lasting and environmentally friendly. The frequency of maintenance is greatly reduced due to the longer life cycle and its production allows to redirect from landfill scrap tires.

The CIWMB also understands that making RAC grants easier to get is important for cities. Because of this, grants are now available on a monthly basis.

Photo by Zac Sturgeon on Unsplash