Q: How profitable has Caltrans been in taking recycled rubber tires and utilizing them to pave roads? Is there the rest the state is doing on this regard?
Mike Rios, San Leandro
A: Oh my, sure, in an enormous means. Recycling tires has helped to tremendously cut back the variety of tires going into California landfills, from 40 million all the way down to 10 million a yr. Recycled tires additionally decrease pavement noise, pleasing close by residents and drivers.
As well as, the state is testing recycled plastic water bottles for pavement work.
However all eyes are on Wales, which is utilizing greater than 100,000 recycled diapers to pave a street. In the USA, about 50 million diapers are stuffed into landfills yearly. Plastic diapers are biodegradable however solely after a few years.
This lead a Washington Publish reporter to jot down this nice line, “No, it doesn’t scent like poop.”
Q: Your reply about warming up a chilly engine was missing. Fashionable automotive engines require little heat up. Simply the time it takes to buckle your seat belt is sufficient. Taking it straightforward throughout your first jiffy of driving is the perfect, most effective approach to attain optimum engine temperature.
Terry Baker
A: The unique query was that mechanics instructed two individuals their automobiles wanted 10-Quarter-hour to heat up. That’s not true. Your time reference is spot on.
Q: Final week Caltrans was on the Bascom Avenue exit from Interstate 880, changing the sand barrels with a metallic guardrail. Since this spot has traditionally been demolished by a automotive not less than every year, what’s the good thing about making this transformation?
Larry Edson, Campbell
A: Quite a bit. A guardrail is dearer to put in, however doesn't require fixed upkeep. It additionally reduces the severity of crashes.
Q: Going north on Freeway 101 after SFO, a number of on-ramps merge onto the freeway in South San Francisco. This occurs in a really brief distance. After latest Caltrans development work, there are actually lanes that merge with completely no warning. Vehicles sometimes exceed the velocity restrict right here, and it is a fatality ready to occur. I’d hoped this example was short-term, nevertheless it seems to be everlasting. Please ask them to have engineers re-examine this debacle.
Coleen Mackin
A: I've alerted Caltrans. They are going to overview the issue.
Q: What's a “kingpin to rear axle” and why is it required on sure roads?
Chas Berletti, Martinez
A: It's a heavy metallic cylindrical pin positioned beneath the entrance finish of a trailer. The kingpin is the mechanism on the trailer that hooks to a street tractor. It's set at an angle to maintain the car secure throughout tight turns.
Search for Gary Richards at Fb.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.