Why do we still use concrete and asphalt for our roadways? Why have we not found a better material that is less prone to potholes and always feels smooth to drive on?
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Money. Think of how many square km of the Earth is paved – the area of ALL the roads and parking lots in the world is GIGANTIC. That means cost is going to be a high-priority factor in deciding what material is “best” to use, because whatever we use we’re going to need a LOT of it.
Concrete and asphalt actually do a darn good job of resisting damage and potholes given the abuse they face (we take this for granted but hundreds-to-thousands of multi-ton moving weight loads per day is formidable wear and tear on *any* material. A material would have to be remarkably strong AND flexible to do the job any better than what we use now. And concrete and asphalt are mostly made of regular rocks, meaning they’re also incredibly cheap per area covered. It’s been impossible to find a material that’s any better that wouldn’t also be several times more expensive. And nobody wants all roads to be 5x (or 50x) more expensive to have fewer potholes for a little longer. It’s just not worth it.
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