Transportation science: Building better roads from the ground up
Transportation science: Building better roads from the ground up
Good roads don't just magically appear. They require a solid foundation and quality materials.
Enter the ADOT Materials Group, located near the Stack interchange in Phoenix. This division ensures the components that go into our roads are of the highest quality and are the best fit for a particular location.
Employees here spend their days getting their hands dirty, literally, testing soil samples, smashing concrete, bending steel and more.
Here are some of the key divisions of the Materials Group:
1. Soils and Aggregates: This division looks into the ground soil beneath roadways, assessing its firmness and stability to ensure a strong foundation.
2. Asphalts: The asphalt mix and design unit tests samples to determine their longevity, ensuring that they can withstand the wear and tear of constant traffic.
3. Structures: Here, samples of rebar are bent and concrete is subjected to pressure tests, providing crucial insights into their durability and load-bearing capabilities.
"The Materials Group is the final stop before these products are used in our infrastructure," said Joshua Bailey, a supervisor in the Materials Group. "Our job is to weed out the good from the bad."
From the asphalt beneath our cars’ wheels to the concrete and steel that form our overpasses, every component undergoes careful examination to ensure our roads are safe and lasting. While the work of the Materials Group may often go unnoticed, its effects are felt every time we drive on a well-built road.