Think sideways

I am told that our local council are experimenting with a new type of tarmac road surface. It is supposed to last longer and make West Berkshire a safer place. Some years ago they built the Newbury bypass and experimented with a new tarmac composition that was supposed to be quieter.

It seems the search is always on for a better road surface. 

Well, I have an excellent suggestion: Cover the roads in ice. It isn't that difficult. While the old surface is being removed and the refrigeration installed, you could put optical fibre and we would have twenty first century IT infrastructure at the same time.  

Here's a typical experimental surface. Click for larger view.

Here are the advantages:

Ice covered roads are easier to see in the dark. They don't need to shed water, in fact they capture it. This helps prevent flooding and makes the roads largely self maintaining. Being smooth, the surface doesn't wear away so easily so they last longer, and they are certainly quieter. After the initial period of shock, the accident rate would actually decline as people realised just how slowly they have to drive on ice.

I confidently expect some small token of gratitude from the Government when they read this.