Research database

The SMASHit project focuses on an innovative experimental-methodological approach that will be used for the design of sustainable maintenance strategies for the Italian secondary road network. The project activities will be carried out following these main research steps: - Evaluation of the current maintenance practices in terms of strategies, materials and operations; - Technology development at a laboratory scale of new materials based on hybrid solutions; - Maintenance solution design based on performance and environmental criteria; - Overall project demonstration and validation by means of real-scale applications in trial sections. The research aims at the increase in knowledge in maintenance activities, thus allowing the exploitation of new technologies in hybrid solutions as well as promoting the reuse of specific waste for hot asphalt mixtures. Waste recycling increases the life cycle of products, bringing economic benefits to the overall processes while improving the wellbeing of the ecosystem. This approach is also in line with the 9th Sustainable Development Goal that helps to promote new technologies and resilient infrastructure with an efficient use of resources.