USTMA supports initiatives that advance sustainable infrastructure projects
U.S. businesses—including tire manufacturers—depend on safe roads, bridges, ports and railways to move their products to market. Deteriorating roads pose a safety hazard to motorists: AAA estimates that potholes cause nearly $3 billion in vehicle damages annually.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
USTMA supported several provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law No: 117-58), signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021, which included several provisions to advance tire recycling markets and improve sustainability of our nations infrastructure. Developing sustainable and circular end-use markets for the 260 million scrap tires generated annually in the U.S. is a top industry priority, and ground rubber from end-of-life tires offers a resilient pavement solution to rebuild America’s roadways.
Key legislative provisions:
- Five Transportation Resilience and Adaptation Centers of Excellence where rubber modified asphalt (RMA) is eligible as a material for study
- Five Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies enabling tire derived aggregate (TDA) to compete as a new and emerging stormwater control technology
- Emerging Technology Research Pilot Program that allows RMA to compete as an “advanced and additive manufacturing technology to increase the structural integrity and cost-effectiveness of surface transportation infrastructure”
- Healthy Streets Program establishing grants to deploy porous pavements like RMA
NLGA Supporting State Infrastructure Projects
In 2020, USTMA supported a resolution adopted by the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) encouraging further research into the potential benefits of “infrastructure projects that create more sustainable roadways and drive markets for recycled materials, such as scrap tires.” Specifically, the tire manufacturing industry is encouraged by the documented benefits of using recycled tire rubber in road surfaces (rubber modified asphalt) and in stormwater infiltration galleries.
Rubber Modified Asphalt (RMA)
RMA is a mixture of ground tire rubber with asphalt that provides proven economic, environmental, and performance benefits in building better, longer lasting roads and highways.
The benefits of RMA as a cost-effective, sustainable road maintenance solution are well proven, extending pavement life and reducing repair frequency, leading to significant life-cycle savings over traditional asphalt. But despite a 50% increase in RMA use since 2017 across 30 states, a 2021 report from USTMA and The Ray emphasizes the need for further research and improved sharing of best practices, underscoring the importance of federal support in advancing this valuable, circular resource.
USTMA has advocated for Congress to:
- Identify RMA as a preferred pavement material;
- Assist states in adopting RMA integration for local projects; and
- Conduct research to add to existing knowledge of the benefits of RMA use, including research to supplement preliminary findings of the reductions in environmental impact when using RMA.
Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA)
TDA is made from recycled tires and is a cost-effective infill material for roadside embankments, retaining walls, and stormwater infiltration galleries.
Given its cost-efficiency, proven performance, and positive environmental impact, USTMA has urged Congress to support research into the use of TDA in stormwater infiltration galleries for federal, state, and local construction projects.
Benefits of TDA:
- TDA is more cost-effective than traditional minerals like gravel, thanks to its lightweight nature, which reduces transportation costs.
- TDA's larger void space improves drainage and allows stormwater infiltration galleries to capture more water with a smaller footprint than gravel.
- TDA effectively captures harmful pollutants from roadway runoff, including heavy metals, before they reach groundwater.
- TDA efficiently reduces ground vibrations from rail lines, benefiting nearby communities.
Benefits of Rubber Modified Asphalt
*Asphalt is one of the most recycled materials, reinforcing RMA's circularity.
*Using RMA decreases CO2 emissions by 32% and cuts energy usage over a pavement's lifetime, compared to traditional asphalt.
*RMA enhances road performance with longer service life, better skid resistance, significant noise reduction, and smoother rides.
*Its superior water permeability reduces spray in wet conditions, while its poor heat conductivity helps control urban heat islands, helping to make cities more livable.
*RMA's stiffer, smoother surface minimizes tire abrasion, substantially reducing the creation of tire road wear particles, compared to traditional pavements.