Engineers working on the project realize it will have to be effective in real-world conditions. Bridge decks containing PCMs would suffer less from potholes or cracking normally caused by repeated freezing and thawing, he says. If the second stage proves successful, the next step would be incorporating PCMs into at least one full-scale bridge and monitoring winter performance for approximately two years. Salyer says the Ohio Department of Transportation has indicated interest in collaborating in a full scale experiment if the PCMs show promise in the parking-lot test. Roads in mountain passes that have solar heat melting in sunny areas that turn to icy conditions when shade develops also could benefit from the technology.
Drake realizes there are limitations.