Think Cities Have Pothole Problems Now? Just Wait

Cold, heat, stress and moisture are some of asphalt's worst enemies. Roads are likely to see more damage as climate change brings higher temperatures and more extreme weather swings.

By Leslie Nemo
Feb 17, 2021 7:00 PMFeb 17, 2021 8:00 PM
Potholes in the road - shutterstock
(Credit: Christian Delbert/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Midwesterners like to joke there two seasons: Winter and road repair. But potholes aren't just frustrating to commuters. They're also a big and costly challenge that engineers face. Extreme heat or cold, water, stress and the good old passage of time all hold the potential to morph roads until they can’t take it anymore, causing them to bend or crack in response. “It's really complicated phenomena,” says Naser Sharifi, a civil engineer at the University of Pittsburgh. “Honestly, before I started working on pavement, I didn't know that this many details are involved.”

And while many streets are supposed to stay drivable for 20 to 30 years, climate change is accelerating wear and tear and pushing engineers to rethink how they design this crucial part of our transit network.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group