Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  "This modifier allows for quick asphalt laying even at low temperatures, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making it both eco-friendly and economical. I believe this is the ‘clothing’ roads need," said Qu Lei, head of research and development and senior engineer at SPK Highway Science and Technology, the second-place winner of the national competition for "The Most Beautiful Road Workers."

Recently, during one of the road projects, 44-year-old Qu Lei was testing the composition of the mix before laying it down. "In winter, snow and ice easily accumulate on the roads. During the laying process at the test site, we added an anti-freeze modifier to the asphalt mix, which prevents freezing. This effectively reduces the adhesion between ice and the road surface, achieving the effect of ‘small snow melting and large snow not sticking,’" Qu Lei explained.

Nearly 20 Years in Dialogue with Roads

Qu Lei began working in the transport sector in 2005. Since 2011, he has participated in a Ministry of Transport project aimed at addressing issues related to traditional asphalt road construction, such as high temperatures, significant energy consumption, severe environmental pollution, and recycling challenges. "To address these issues, I’ve read hundreds of books," Qu Lei shared. In his free time, he sought literature, conducted experiments, and immersed himself in technical innovations.

After five years of testing and improvements, Qu Lei and his project team developed a high-performance asphalt modifier suitable for use at regular temperatures. Industry experts assessed the results of this project as reaching international advanced levels, and it received the award for the best product at the 21st China International High-Tech Expo.

"This technological achievement is applied in more than 20 provinces and autonomous regions in China, as well as in Mongolia, Pakistan, and other countries, becoming a typical example of technologies for creating resource-saving and environmentally friendly states," noted Wang Fumin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a civil engineering expert during the evaluation.

Fighting Sandstorms

In April 2015, Qu Lei, along with project group members applying ecological road protection technologies in desert areas, arrived at the Kunzhin section of road 36 of the 2nd division to establish an experimental point for sand protection. There, they faced "direct confrontation" with sandstorms.

Qu Lei explained that this area falls within a zone with an extremely arid climate, where sand frequently accumulates on the roads and dunes cover them. Lacking prior experience, they conducted research on the effects of sandstorms during the day and performed experiments in the laboratory at night. Consequently, they developed a construction scheme for a sand protection system that combines mechanical and biological methods.

"Based on a mechanical sand protection system, drought-resistant plants like saxaul and tamarisk were planted to create shelterbelts that hinder sand movement and stabilize sand dunes," Qu Lei said. According to field studies conducted by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and the Xinjiang Institute of Forestry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019, the survival rate of saxaul plantings was approximately 80%.

With the implementation of the project, the issue of sand drifts on the roads has been successfully resolved.

"Previously, whenever sandstorms occurred, road traffic would stop, requiring three to four bulldozers and six to seven workers for cleanup. The annual maintenance costs for this road reached 4 million yuan," said Aimatichjan, head of the maintenance and servicing brigade for the Kunzhin road.

For many years, Qu Lei has led a team conducting field research and monitoring indicators such as traffic intensity, axial load, pavement pressure, load-bearing capacity, early damage, operational road performance, as well as maintenance and repairs. Specialists developed a model for preventive road maintenance suitable for the climate and transport characteristics of Xinjiang, along with an economic assessment and efficiency analysis system. Additionally, a "Technical Guide for Preventive Maintenance of Asphalt Roads" was compiled.

It was noted that promoting and applying asphalt regeneration products can extend road lifespans by 3-5 years and annually save about 10% of maintenance costs within the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.