Asphalt-spraying truck fixes potholes in minutes
Driving has its share of annoyances: overly aggressive merges, seemingly endless red lights and bumper-to-bumper traffic, to name a few. But few provoke as much anger as throwing yourself into a gaping pothole. Science may have a new solution to the latter, and it involves a very large pipe.
Several cities across the country have begun using a new one-person pothole filling truck called the CimlineP5, which uses “DuraPatcher” technology to fill holes in minutes. The system consists of a large nozzle connected to the truck (an Isuzu model in this case) that is filled with a tar-like asphalt emulsion. When heated, the emulsion can be sprayed into a pothole to seal it. Once filled, the road could reopen to traffic within two minutes.
In Amarillo, Texas, where the DuraPatcher is already operational, local officials say crews can repair up to 146 holes per day. That’s an average of just 20 per day without the machine. Since only one person is needed to operate it, there is less need to close large sections of streets or divert traffic.
Cimline P5 Single Person Patcher with DuraPatcher Technologyâ„¢
The DuraPatcher vehicle repairs potholes in three steps: cleaning, pointing and filling. The large boom arm folds up and rests against the truck’s frame until it’s ready to get to work. From there it extends until the nozzle is placed approximately 9 to 12 inches from the hole. A built-in compressor removes any debris or water that could interfere with the repair. The machine then heats the emulsion stored in a 300-gallon tank and sprays it directly onto the target. At its maximum capacity, Cimline claims the vehicle can hold approximately 10 tons of repair equipment, more than enough to handle multiple jobs at once.
Related: [New asphalt could make potholes extinct]
Drivers operate the machines through an interface similar to a video game. The truck’s interior cabin features a large joystick with four colorful buttons that look like SweeTarts. Nearby, a pair of digital screens track job data, including current measurement levels, total number of completed fixes, and total operating hours. The entire system is operated by one person. This reduces costs for local public governments, but Cimline says it’s also a potentially safer approach because it means less need for other workers on the road in the path of heavy machinery. And just because it’s quick doesn’t mean it’s a band-aid. City officials in Akron, Ohio, recently told News 5 Cleveland that they view the DuraPatcher as a “permanent” solution to its pothole problems.
“It’s very durable. It lasts longer. It’s a permanent solution for these potholes. We’re not going out in three to six months to fill that pothole again,” said Akron Public Works Deputy Public Works Director. Anthony Dolly told News 5 Cleveland.
Whether or not this pothole-filling truck will become a fixture in more cities remains to be seen. Although Cimline does not list the price of the unit on its site, Akron city officials told the Akron Beacon Log they spent $300,000 on each of their trucks. So they are not cheap. Some online commenters in areas where it has been deployed also say the system struggles to properly level surfaces once holes are filled, which can result in speed bump-like bulges. Still, with an estimated 55 million potholes crisscrossing U.S. streets, any additional help in the fight against blown tires could be welcome.
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