Plastic Roads: Future of Roads and Highways.
                     PLASTIC ROADS: FUTURE OF 
ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
INTRODUCTION
• Worldwide plastic production has accelerated 
rapidly over the past six decades. 
• While the introduction of plastic is a recent, 
plastic has found itself into the production of 
almost everything throughout the world 
economy.
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
Types of plastic roads
• There are two main types of plastic roads. 
– The first one consists of an asphalt mix with plastic 
waste incorporated into the mixture. 
– The second type, developed by one company, is 
known as ‘PlasticRoad.’ In this case, the Plastic Road 
consists of a modular, hollow road made entirely with 
plastics. 
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
 Investment in plastic roads
• MacRebur’s plastic roads have been widely 
tested throughout the UK. Cumbria carried out 
the first trials back in 2016. 
• After the successful initial trials, Cumbria County 
Council decided to invest £200,000 in 
resurfacing the A7.  
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
Modular road made of 
100% recycled plastic
• The concept was initially announced in 2015, 
developed by Dutch construction company 
Volker Wessels. 
• The process involves forming recycled plastic 
waste into lightweight modules with hollow 
interiors for cables and plastic pipes which also 
allow excess water to drain. 
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
World’s first plastic cycle path
• Back in 2018, the world’s first plastic cycle path 
made of recycled bottles opened in the 
Netherlands. 
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
Sensors within the Plastic Road
• Sensors within the Plastic Road monitor the 
road’s performance. 
• They measure temperature, the number of bikes 
that pass over it and its ability to cope with the 
traffic. 
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
Contributing to a circular 
economy
• When the Plastic Road reaches the end of its 
life, it can then be crushed and re-used to make 
another Plastic Road. 
• This way, the company ensures that their 
product contributes to a circular economy. 
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
Major Pitfalls
• It is non-ecological
• Burning of these waste plastic cause 
environmental pollution
• It mostly consists of low-density polyethylene
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
Advantages of using plastic in 
constructing roads
• No effect of radiation of UV
• Plastic roads increase binding and better 
bonding of the mix
• Have better resistance towards rainwater
• The strength of the road will be increased by 
100%
• Disposal of waste plastic will no longer be a 
problem
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com
THANK YOU
Source: www.trafficsafetystore.com