After the first paving tests in Switzerland, rubberised asphalt mixtures developed in the United States are also arriving in Italy. The technology used, (ECR: Engineered Crumb Rubber), does not require any adaptation of the asphalt plant, nor specific equipment for laying and compaction. The technological adaptation to Italian specifications is currently being handled by the laboratories of Roads, Railways and Airports of Engineering Department at UNIPA within the RUBBERAP project with the support of Ecopneus. At the same time, in collaboration with SMACOM and DS ASFALTI of S. Ninfa (TP), a test section was laid to verify the absence of operational limitations during the mixing, laying and compacting phases. Workers, entrepreneurs, and technicians from 6 municipalities in the Trapani area have found that the workability, the emission of fumes and the cleaning of the equipment are even improved compared to conventional asphalts.

In 100 meters of road pavement, it was possible to recycle about 80 tires. The costs remain competitive and thanks to the technological development of the partners involved, improvements in the performance of the pavement are expected in terms of mechanical properties, possible reduced noise emissions and prolonged maintenance of the chromatic characteristics (horizontal signs more visible as the surface remains black longer).