NHAI Explores New Self-Healing Road Technologies

May 8, 2024

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is exploring new technologies aimed at creating pothole-free highways. This includes innovative development towards self-healing roads, encapsulating technologies that allow the roads to repair themselves automatically under specific conditions.

Understanding Self-Healing Road Technologies

Numerous technologies are under different stages of development for achieving self-repairing capabilities in roads. These include:

Microencapsulation:Utilises microcapsules mixed into the asphalt that contain healing agents. When cracks form, these capsules break and release the agent to seal the cracks. This technology has been researched extensively by the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
Induction Heating:Involves integrating steel fibres into the asphalt mix. When cracks form, an induction machine heats these fibres, melting the surrounding asphalt and sealing the crack. This technology is in the testing phase in the Netherlands and China.
Bacteria-Based Self-Healing:Uses bacteria to produce calcium carbonate, which can seal cracks in concrete roads. This type of research is ongoing at Binghamton University in New York.
Rejuvenator Capsules:Similar to microencapsulation, these capsules contain a rejuvenating agent that softens the surrounding asphalt when released, thereby sealing cracks. This technology is currently being tested on roads in Cambridgeshire, UK.

NHAI’s Approach to Self-Healing Roads

NHAI is particularly focusing on a technology that incorporates infused bitumen and steel fibres into the asphalt mix. This approach ensures that gaps or potholes on the road surface can spontaneously fill and repair themselves through the combined action of the bitumen and steel threads. This technology not only enhances road durability but also minimises traffic disruptions caused by potholes.

Implementation Status and Future Prospects

Currently, the technology is not in use as the government intends to perform a thorough cost-benefit analysis to ensure its effective implementation. Looking forward, these innovative self-healing road technologies hold significant potential to make Indian roads more durable and sustainable, with a likelihood of becoming more common in the coming years. Researchers and road development authorities remain optimistic about their broader adoption.

About National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 1988. It is responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of India’s national highways, overseeing around 70,000 km of roads crucial for the country’s economic integration. NHAI works through the planning, implementing, and operation of high-quality highways and bridges. It utilizes advanced technologies and international practices to ensure safety, reduce traffic congestion, and improve transportation routes, playing a key role in stimulating economic growth and regional development across India.