Olympia Odos, continuing the multi-level sustainable development plan that it has designed and consistently implements throughout the range of its operations, is starting a new project of applying a light-colored road surface coating on a pilot basis in the THESEAS tunnel of Kakia Skala in the direction of Athens.
As stated in a relevant announcement by the company, the aim is to take advantage of the positive consequences of the reflective characteristics of light-colored pavements in relation to dark-colored ones, always maintaining the functional characteristics of the rolling surface at high levels. In particular, the application of a special surface coating to the road surface of a tunnel results in the slight coloring of the existing asphalt, with a positive environmental impact on its operation.
This is a good practice, which has so far been applied both in Germany and Austria, in tunnels longer than 1,000 meters, and widely in France, where the application of surface coatings that make the surface of tunnels brighter has already given many years of excellent results.
The positive environmental impact of this practice is twofold and results from the reduction of energy consumption on the one hand, and from avoiding the replacement of the asphalt on the other, where both translate into a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and are in accordance with the environmental policy and commitments of shareholders of Olympia Odos (VINCI Concessions, Hochtief PPP Solutions, AVAX, TERNA, AKTOR) for the climate and the circular economy.
Significant results are also expected at the level of road safety, where the lighter colored road surface is expected to create a more comfortable driving environment. In addition, reflective equipment (cat’s eyes) will be installed every 10 meters along the curb on both sides of the tunnel, while to maintain the line contrast on the new light-colored road surface, a combination of a black frame with a dashed white line inside will be applied.
During the first weeks of operation of the tunnel with the new road surface and in order for drivers to get used to the new environment, the speed limit will be maintained at 80 km/h.
Then, when it is confirmed that in these conditions of road surface color and striping, the good experience found in the European Practices is also valid in the case of the THISEAS tunnel, then the new technique will be extended and applied to other tunnels of Olympia Road.
Source: Capital
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