Fast-Built Safe Bicycle Lanes

 

Istanbul Technical University is making its campus more environmentally friendly. One of the most important projects here is a six-kilometre-long bicycle path, of which Evonik sponsors one kilometre. The project uses two-component road marking based on DEGAROUTE®.

The marking, including all lettering and symbols, was completed in just three days and the bicycle paths were opened for use. Getting from one class to the next: Due to the size of the campus, Istanbul Technical University (ITÜ) has until now mostly required car use. Now a six-kilometre bicycle path running through the campus offers an environmentally friendly alternative. This is part of the "Green Campus" project supported by Evonik: the company has sponsored one kilometre of the new bicycle path and coated it with durable cold-spray plastic. This road marking is based on DEGAROUTE® reactive resin. ITÜ is one of the world's oldest technical universities. It has a history of nearly 250 years. The campus infrastructure was essentially designed for the passage of cars and trucks, with no provision for bicycle and pedestrian paths. Sis Alkan, Head of Building Affairs and Technical Services at ITÜ, says: "However, the difficulty of bicycle path construction for the university was not the only reason." It must be considered that ITÜ is a state university and therefore has a limited budget. While similar environmental initiatives are being implemented at other universities in Turkey, "they do not maintain the holistic approach that we apply with our 'Green Campus' project." For this reason, limited financial resources force those responsible to develop new ideas. Alkan explains: "During our research, we became acquainted with Evonik and its product DEGAROUTE®."

Two-component road marking based on DEGAROUTE® at Istanbul Technical University

Serkan Akoğlu, responsible for DEGAROUTE® road marking at Evonik Eastern Europe, noted: "We were immediately convinced by this project and decided to sponsor one kilometre of the bicycle path network."

Altekma Group, one of Evonik's road line customers, carried out the application. Melih Durmuş, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Altekma Group, summarizes the advantages of the system used as follows: "Among systems available worldwide, two-component road marking based on DEGAROUTE® is the longest-lasting material. It is applied quickly and the time between application and opening of the path for use is very short. The product cures in just 20 minutes." To make the bicycle path as safe as possible, a base layer coated with anti-skid material was applied, followed by a top layer. Melih Durmuş notes: "This creates a non-slip surface." All marking was applied and work completed in just three days. A total of four tonnes of material was used for approximately 2,600 square metres of path. Serkan Akoğlu adds another advantage: "Due to the material's excellent adhesion to concrete and asphalt, even thin applications are very long-lasting. Applicators who must present a cost estimate can therefore be flexible in application thickness."The Head of Building Affairs and Technical Services at ITÜ could not hide his appreciation for the new technology: "In the past, we first used a different system, but it took a very long time and was complicated." The construction of an 800-metre path took 22 days and marking could not be applied in low temperatures. "Taking this into account, plans are now in place to use the new two-component marking instead of the old system on all future bicycle paths." He also considers the sustainability of the system an important advantage: "Repairs and finishing work are not problematic." With applications in other systems, the risk of colour fading is much higher and the layer must be completely removed and the application completely renewed. "In the Evonik system, working conditions are much simpler." The university also plans to open a bicycle shop on campus alongside the bicycle paths. Bicycles will be sold there at reasonable prices for university staff and students. To ensure that cars do not dominate the campus in the future and students can travel quickly and in an environmentally friendly manner from one class to another by bicycle, a bicycle workshop will also be set up and rental bicycles will be offered. Friederike Roth - Communication Manager Coating Resins Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH