Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. P3 Student Design Competition

2021 P3 Expo - Cool and Sustainable Sidewalks

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

 
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM P3 Team

Our technical challenge is to design a sidewalk that can be built using recycled and less energy- and carbon-intensive materials with the thinnest possible thickness in order to reduce material use and limit heat storage capacity. By revisiting the materials and techniques that cities and towns use to build sidewalks, we believe it is possible to create more durable, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective approaches than are commonly used today.

Our team consists of undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Mexico. About half of the team has now graduated.

Brittany Antonczak (PhD Student, Civil & Environmental Engineering), Amanda Baldridge, Edgar Hernandez, Logan Hutchison, Mohammed Amin Najvani, Stephen Montaño (MS Civil & Environmental Engineering), Angel Padilla, Patience Raby, Matthew Ricks, Michael Suarez

Link to EPA Abstract

EPA P3 Video Presentation

Poster (click to open a full size image): 

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM P3 Poster

Our project evaluates the addition of recycled materials to concrete in sidewalks that could reduce non-renewable resource consumption, divert wastes from land-fills, and improve the structural properties of sidewalks. Substituting recycled materials for other, more energy- and carbon-intensive materials such as Portland cement could also lessen air, water and climate impacts associated with energy production and strengthen concrete, making it possible to design thinner sidewalks that use even less materials and reduce the heat capacity of sidewalks. Reducing heat capacity would help mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect which would help to lower energy demand for cooling in cities and towns, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with energy production.

P3 Student Design Competition

  • Learn About P3
  • How to Apply for a P3 Grant
  • P3 Funding Opportunities
  • P3 Teams
  • Grantee Research Project Results
  • About Research Grants
Contact Us About the P3 Student Design Competition
Contact Us About the P3 Student Design Competition to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on July 17, 2024
  • Assistance
  • Ayuda
  • مساعدة
  • 帮助 (简体版)
  • 幫助 (繁體版)
  • Aide
  • Asistans
  • 지원
  • Assistência
  • Помощь
  • Tulong
  • Trợ Giúp
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.