New Environmental Bituminous Mixture for Slab Track Design in Tram Networks

Abstract

New mobility needs in urban areas combined with eco-friendly transport modes development and urban integration requirements have promoted urban tram lines. This urban transportation system provides important benefits but also damaging effects. Among these effects, vibration and noise may be highlighted. This may cause an important impact for both residents and structures located in the surrounding areas. In order to mitigate these inadequate effects, bituminous mixtures with different percentages of crumb rubber or Polyethylene Terephthalete are proposed in this research to substitute the concrete in the slab track design. Different laboratory tests were conduced so as to check the good mechanical and physical properties of these mixtures according to the European Normative. Finally, a stone mastic asphalt mixture with 0.5 % wt of Polyethylene Terephthalete is proposed as a new material with high vibration attenuation capacity and, moreover, a high stiffness which avoids excessive track deflections.