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Climate-friendly asphalt developed with researchers from Roskilde University will be introduced on all national roads

Should an ongoing pilot project confirm the expected effects and durability of the asphalt, the Danish government will from 2020 introduce climate-friendly asphalt across the entire national road network ready for new surface. The asphalt has been developed since 2011 in two research projects headed by Jeppe Dyre, who is a professor of physics at Roskilde University.


Climate-friendly asphalt reduces rolling resistance between tyres and asphalt, and it is expected to reduce road noise and motorist fuel consumption, thus lowering CO2 emissions.

“The specially-mixed asphalt will be very beneficial for citizens and companies, who can expect to save a combined DKK 40 million in fuel for each DKK million invested in the new surface. At the same time, the traffic noise will be reduced and significant climate benefits will be reaped by lowering road traffic CO2 emissions. By switching to climate-friendly asphalt, it seems we will be able to generate a strong effect with a relatively small investment,” indicates the minister of transport, building and housing, Ole Birk Olesen, in a press release issued by the Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing.

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The Danish Road Directorate and NCC Group (a Nordic entrepreneur and road service company) have developed the specific asphalt in connection with the COOEE and ROSE projects, headed by Roskilde University physics professor Jeppe Dyre, who has been responsible for the basic research part of the projects. The Danish Road Directorate is currently testing the climate-friendly asphalt on a total of 50 km of roads in different parts of the country in order to investigate its durability, wear resistance and driving properties. So far, the results of the experiment are promising, and if the expectations are met, the Danish government will begin surfacing all national roads with climate friendly asphalt, starting in 2020, whenever existing surfaces need to be replaced.

 

Kristine Niss Jeppe Dyre
Physics professor (mso) Kristine Niss and physics professor Jeppe Dyre from the Department of Science and Environment. Active photo by Uffe Weng.