Bryan Center Demos Eco-Friendly Paving Technology
Twelve Duke University students working with Clearwater, FL-based KB Industries (KBI) for their Markets and Management Capstone course, have made their mark in the Bryan Center surface lot. The group worked with Parking & Transportation and their client to install a KBI Flexi™-Pave demonstration site under two parking spaces reserved for Duke Zipcars. A unique construction material available on the market, KBI Flexi™-Pave effectively manages stormwater runoff and is made from recycled tires.
The students were very enthusiastic about the eco-friendly product, and after selecting universities as an excellent target market, the students and their professor, Sam Veraldi, helped to set up the Technical Demonstration Installation on campus.Unlike asphalt, KBI Flexi™-Pave is mixed on-site and cures without additional chemicals or high temperatures. The air pockets created by the tire and agregate allows water to drain almost immediately, reducing the amount of pollution from campus stormwater runof, and stays far cooler in the summer sun.
Duke will examine the environmental impacts associated with the project as part of the University's larger efforts to continually improve environmental performance. “Sustainability is part of how we do business today, and we are committed to seeking new ways to protect our campus, our neighbors and our environment for years to come,” said Tavey Capps, Duke’s environmental sustainability director. One of Duke’s greatest strengths with regard to sustainability has been the commitment and involvement of students on campus.
Stormwater management is a major issue facing urban areas today. It entails controlling stormwater runoff to reduce flooding, prevent erosion, protect our environment and control water quality. Recently, many municipalities, universities and Fortune 500 companies have made commitments to address the stormwater management issue. Duke University is addressing this through the Stormwater Modeling and Management Project and, if the installation performs as expected, will look to use this technology along with other innovations from small start-up companies in the future.