Sunday10 November 2024
inbusinesskz.com

Innovations on Kazakhstan's roads: how local science is enhancing asphalt quality.

Amidst significant transportation demands and harsh climate changes, the Kazakhstan Road Research Institute (KazdorNIU) is developing new materials and standards tailored to the specific conditions of various regions across the country, as reported by NUR.KZ.
Инновации в дорожной инфраструктуре Казахстана: как местная наука повышает качество асфальта.

Behind every regulation and standard governing road quality lies extensive research conducted by the Institute’s scientists, whose primary goal is to enhance the durability and longevity of roads.

As noted by Meiramgul Kabdygalieva, the director of the Department of Road Materials and New Technologies at KazdorNII, one of the Institute's main focuses today is the updating of the republic's regulations and standards.

"In this project, we take into account the intensity of traffic flows and the impact of climate change, which necessitates ongoing research and testing. For instance, last year we conducted over 700 tests of road construction materials solely for the development of quality control guidelines," shares Meiramgul Kabdygalieva.

The Institute is actively engaged in the creation of domestic materials: additives for soil and bitumen, paints for road markings, and anti-icing agents that align with local climatic conditions. One of the innovations includes testing a catalyst for sand and sand-gravel mixtures, tailored to Kazakhstan's conditions. This product helps enhance the strength and stability of road materials, making them more durable.

Digitalization also plays a crucial role in the activities of KazdorNII. The established Unified Database of Road Construction Materials and New Technologies ensures transparency regarding the origin and quality of the materials used. This database includes information about quarries, factories, certified laboratories, and new technologies, which aids in combating counterfeiting and supports fair competition in the market.

The diversity of Kazakhstan's soil and climatic zones presents challenges in selecting suitable materials for different regions. The expert explains that the same material may not be suitable for all conditions. Polymer additives that are effective in one region may not work in another. To address this, the Institute conducts numerous studies, meticulously adapting compositions to local climatic conditions, considering the depth of frost penetration and soil composition.

The Institute emphasizes that science plays a pivotal role in the development of the road industry. It actively collaborates with businesses to assist enterprises in modernizing products and developing new standards. However, according to Meiramgul Kabdygalieva, unfair competition remains a primary issue in the industry: some companies prefer to use unethical competitive methods instead of improving their products.

In the coming years, KazdorNII plans to focus on enhancing the quality of bitumen — a key component of road surfaces. Monitoring the quality of raw materials such as tar and implementing additives to improve bitumen strength are among the Institute's top priorities. Scientists believe that the integration of science and business is the path to developing Kazakhstan's infrastructure, where reliable roads will serve as the foundation for the country's sustainable development.