Phibious
Roads potholes are managed by different municipal authorities with varying priorities and budgets.
Whilst cities prefer cost-saving, long-term repairs for pothole hotspots, cash-strapped municipal councils take a reactive “patch-and-dash” approach, fixing potholes quickly—often in poor conditions—resulting in rapid breakdowns and reoccurrence.
Fixing potholes only addresses the symptom. Eliminating them requires a systemic approach, including predicting poor drainage, weather patterns, traffic load, and implementing preventative road maintenance.
As in 2016, for a surface of 1 m2 (the size of a big pothole), we would need around 1 kg of hydrochromic paint, which cost 10 USD. In comparison, a pair of regular-size plastic road barriers that would sufficiently covers a single pothole costs 24 USD.(Souce: Alibaba)
A 20 kg plastic bucket measures 20 x 15cm whereas a plastic barrier stands around 30 x 100 cm. Storing and transporting the paints therefore would take less space, hence more cost and labour efficient
We painted the potholes with different colours to reflect different depths. Depending on the colours, automobilists could consider the levels of danger in real time and choose to adapt their speeds in case they can't avoid the holes.
The idea was met with enthusiasm from local community and authority. We were off to a good start.
The next step would be to find a long-term supplier and present the proposal to the city municipal.
On our way to the meeting with the district's urban planning department, we were informed that the project was axed due to new budget constraints and without any detailed explanation.
Vague as it sounds, that's just how things work in Vietnam, politically. As a consolation, we went back and continued to refine and develop the idea, waiting for a better occasion to bring it back to life.