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Today, Explained is Vox's daily explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and
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Watershed WHYY News Climate Desk


DREXEL UNIVERSITY IS RESEARCHING MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES TO
ROAD SALT

DREXEL RESEARCHERS SAY SELF-HEATING CONCRETE COULD REPLACE ROAD-DAMAGING SALT.

   
   By
 * Zoë Read
   January 19, 2024

Listen 1:16

A truck salts 76 East during a winter storm in Philadelphia. (Kimberly
Paynter/WHYY)

This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and
solutions for our changing region.

From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do
you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in
touch.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Philadelphia region faces a second round of heavy snow on Friday, sending
crews out to salt the roads.

Road salt and deicing chemicals prevent roads and sidewalks from becoming
slippery, keeping drivers and pedestrians safe.

   
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However, these measures can have negative impacts to road structures, and the
environment.

Chlorine-based salt, for instance, can chemically react with concrete, and
essentially eat the road from the inside out. The freezing and thawing process
also can damage roads.

However, researchers at Drexel University say they may have a solution. A team
of scientists have developed a type of concrete that can release heat to melt
snow and ice. After three years of testing, they say it could be an effective
way to reduce road salt use. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation uses
an average of more than 800,000 tons of salt during the winter.

“This salt can interact with roads and create a lot of potholes, or, it can be
destructive to the roads,”  said researcher Amir Farnam, an engineering
professor at Drexel University. “And [then] we need to repair and maintain our
roads. So, this can create a lot of financial burden in the state.”

Farnam said the idea for his project came from architecture that incorporates
concrete slabs that store thermal energy to heat buildings.

Drexel’s technology works by absorbing solar thermal energy when the weather is
warm, and releasing heat when there’s snow and ice.

RELATED CONTENT

Weather

Philly officials advise caution as snow emergency expires: ‘Pack your patience’

A Code Blue remains in effect due to frigid temperatures.

4 days ago

Farnam said though constructing roads made out of the concrete could be
expensive, it would save the state money in the long term because there would be
fewer road repairs. He said the roads also would be more durable, because
freezing and thawing processes would be reduced.

“If we consider the amount of financial benefits, that it’s going to help us to
increase the durability of the roads, or lowering the amount of salt that we’re
using, or snow plowing, or the labor during winter, it might be beneficial to
start looking into this innovative technology.”

PennDOT currently spends about $161 million on prepping roads for winter
weather.

Farnam said the concrete is also more environmentally friendly, as studies have
found road salts can also impair waterways.

   
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He said because the technology relies on changing weather patterns, the concrete
mix would need to be altered in order to be effective in regions such as Canada
that have much longer periods of cold temperatures and snow.

Farnam and his team hope to complete their research at the end of the winter
season. They also are interested in completing a cost benefit analysis, and a
full life-cycle assessment.

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PART OF THE SERIES


WATERSHED

Preserving Our Water: How we use our Delaware Watershed.

The project is funded by The William Penn Foundation.

View the series

PART OF THE SERIES


WHYY NEWS CLIMATE DESK

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Here’s a look at the forecast, and what you need to know about the citywide
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