Germany Trials Winter Service Vehicle to Cool Roads in Heatwave

In an unusual sight, a winter service vehicle is being deployed on a rural road in Germany's Thuringia region, not to combat snow, but to cool down asphalt under the summer sun. The vehicle is spraying water onto the Landstraße 2038 in the Unstrut-Hainich district, a measure aimed at mitigating the effects of a severe heatwave.

According to a spokesperson for the Thuringian State Office for Construction and Transport, the primary concern is "bleeding," a phenomenon where high temperatures soften the bitumen binder in the asphalt, causing it to rise to the surface. This creates a shiny, sticky layer, particularly problematic after prolonged heat and heavy traffic, leading to potential road deformations.

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Winter service vehicle is spraying water to cool the asphalt.

Traditionally, to combat this, grit is spread to reduce slipperiness, or warning signs are posted, sometimes leading to road closures. However, this trial introduces a proactive cooling method, similar to techniques used on airport runways. The winter service vehicle is operating between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the warmest hours, continuing its work until temperatures drop.

The spokesperson noted that this is a first-time experiment in Thuringia, utilizing vehicles that are currently idle during the summer months and are already equipped for water distribution. It remains unclear if similar methods are being tested in other German states.

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This is a first-time attempt in Thuringia.