Research Partnership Project to Assess Knowledge on Environmental Impact, Benefits of Rubber Modified Asphalt Announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), in partnership with The Ray, a nonprofit proving ground for sustainable transportation technologies, today announced a research project to assess and compile existing research on the performance, environmental impacts and benefits of using ground tire rubber (GTR) in asphalt. The compiled research will result in a state of knowledge report that outlines existing research and identifies data gaps in the use of ground tire rubber in rubber modified asphalt.

This state of knowledge report will help advance this promising technology and guide future research.

In current applications, rubber modified asphalt helps create longer-lasting roads that crack and rut less than traditional asphalt, leading to long-term cost savings for states. Rubber-modified asphalt has been found to be quieter and create better grip and less spray for drivers in wet weather, according to a study by the University of Arizona, and produce half the amount of tire and road wear particles as traditional pavement. The use of rubber-modified asphalt also promotes the circular economy as asphalt can be recycled and reused repeatedly.

“Recycling scrap tires to create rubber modified asphalt appears to be a cost-effective way to reduce tire and road wear particles and advance the circular economy,” said Anne Forristall Luke, President and CEO of USTMA. “This study will allow us to share what we know about the technology and what additional research is needed to build more sustainable roads and infrastructure.”

Dr. Bill Buttlar, director of the Missouri Center for Transportation Innovation, will lead the study, which will include collecting lab and field data and research on the performance and lifecycle impacts of GTR asphalt mixes. This will allow the team to provide road operators, state and federal regulators and legislators, pavement and road construction contractors, and researchers with a better understanding of rubber modified asphalt’s effectiveness and environmental impact.

“Rubber modified asphalt has evolved into a very attractive sustainable paving solution, but potential adopters of the technology are too often unaware of the latest developments and benefits. We hope to address this shortcoming with a comprehensive, up-to-date state of knowledge report,” Dr. Buttlar said.

“My father, Ray Anderson, was the first in the world to take his business circular, using old carpet tile to make new carpet. He kept carpet out of landfills, where it will never break down or biodegrade, and saved his company, Interface, more than $400 million,” said Harriet Anderson Langford, Founder and President of The Ray. “Scrap tires, like old carpet, can be upcycled across the country into higher performing roads that are quieter and last longer. This is one of those golden opportunities you look for, but rarely find.”

“Our work will follow the same collaborative approach we’ve used to advance safety and sustainability on The Ray’s 18-mile living laboratory on I-85 in Georgia,” said Allie Kelly, executive director of The Ray. “We look forward to sharing our results next year and continuing to explore ways to advance our goal of a net-zero highway system.” 

The research will be guided by a technical advisory panel of regulators, researchers and scientists to provide support, insights and feedback. It will include a survey of asphalt contractors and mix designers to better understand challenges related to adaptation, data collection from the field and a meta-analysis of journal articles, reports, published research, and public data sets.

Results from the study are expected to be reported in Spring of 2021.

About the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. Our 13 member companies operate 57 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 17 states and generate over $27 billion in annual sales. We directly support more than a quarter million U.S. jobs – totaling almost $20 billion in wages. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science‐based public policy advocacy. Our member company tires make mobility possible. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of our products, worker and consumer safety and environmental stewardship.

About The Ray
The Ray is a proving ground for the evolving ideas and technologies that will transform the transportation infrastructure of the future with the mission to build a zero carbon, zero waste, zero death highway system. It begins with the 18-mile stretch of interstate named in memory of Ray C. Anderson (1934-2011), a Georgia native who became a captain of industry and was recognized as a leader in green business when he challenged his company, Interface, Inc., to pursue zero environmental footprint. Chaired by Ray’s daughter Harriet Langford, The Ray is an epiphany of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. Learn more at www.TheRay.org.