Date: 12/08/2026 01:41:16
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419324
Subject: Pothole Pandemonium
Suddenly dodging potholes after all this rain? Here’s how drones could help with repairs
When it rains, it pours. And when it pours – like it has this year – we get potholes. While minor potholes are an inconvenience, major potholes can destroy car wheels and cause crashes, as dozens of motorists discovered last week on the Hume Freeway.
More…
Date: 12/08/2026 01:45:52
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419325
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Date: 12/08/2026 01:49:17
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419326
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Date: 12/08/2026 02:05:09
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419327
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
One simple way, cameras 7nder cars connected to GPS send pothole hazard details to road traffic authorities, information can be gathered to identify growing potholes that become major hazards.
Date: 12/08/2026 02:08:46
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419328
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
One simple way, cameras 7nder cars connected to GPS send pothole hazard details to road traffic authorities, information can be gathered to identify growing potholes that become major hazards.
From the conversation article

Rain brings potholes, as damage to the Midland Highway near Elmore in Victoria shows
Date: 12/08/2026 02:15:06
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419329
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
One simple way, cameras 7nder cars connected to GPS send pothole hazard details to road traffic authorities, information can be gathered to identify growing potholes that become major hazards.
From the conversation article

Rain brings potholes, as damage to the Midland Highway near Elmore in Victoria shows
Drones could temporarily fill dangerous potholes.
They could be fitted with red stopping lights, or be programmed to get out of the way.
Date: 12/08/2026 02:20:44
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419330
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
One simple way, cameras 7nder cars connected to GPS send pothole hazard details to road traffic authorities, information can be gathered to identify growing potholes that become major hazards.
From the conversation article

Rain brings potholes, as damage to the Midland Highway near Elmore in Victoria shows
Drones could temporarily fill dangerous potholes.
They could be fitted with red stopping lights, or be programmed to get out of the way.
A scale of pothole sizes would help.
If all vehicles are fitted with pothole GPS devices then it would be easy for traffic apps to also display pothole information.
Date: 12/08/2026 02:25:02
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419331
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
From the conversation article

Rain brings potholes, as damage to the Midland Highway near Elmore in Victoria shows
Drones could temporarily fill dangerous potholes.
They could be fitted with red stopping lights, or be programmed to get out of the way.
A scale of pothole sizes would help.
If all vehicles are fitted with pothole GPS devices then it would be easy for traffic apps to also display pothole information.
Pothole information goes to each states relevant road traffic authority which then gets sent on to participating traffic apps.
Date: 12/08/2026 02:29:36
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419332
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Drones could temporarily fill dangerous potholes.
They could be fitted with red stopping lights, or be programmed to get out of the way.
A scale of pothole sizes would help.
If all vehicles are fitted with pothole GPS devices then it would be easy for traffic apps to also display pothole information.
Pothole information goes to each states relevant road traffic authority which then gets sent on to participating traffic apps.
Drones high in the air could signal by using red flashing lights that an approaching traffic road hazard is ahead.
Date: 12/08/2026 02:41:23
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419333
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
A scale of pothole sizes would help.
If all vehicles are fitted with pothole GPS devices then it would be easy for traffic apps to also display pothole information.
Pothole information goes to each states relevant road traffic authority which then gets sent on to participating traffic apps.
Drones high in the air could signal by using red flashing lights that an approaching traffic road hazard is ahead.
Amber and red could indicate one lane closed and one lane open but go slow, can be switched depending on which lane
First responders like the RACV in Victoria could put up hovering Drones fitted with flashing lights hovering above the hazard.
Date: 13/08/2026 10:12:33
From: Cymek
ID: 2419668
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
I do remember reporting a pot hole to my local council and it was repaired within a couple of days.
So that’s something good, they had a specific online form you filled out
Date: 13/08/2026 15:11:14
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419792
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Interesting thing potholes.
Date: 13/08/2026 15:15:17
From: SCIENCE
ID: 2419795
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Date: 13/08/2026 15:18:43
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419798
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Interesting thing potholes.
Helpful in understanding a surface.
And the complexities that a surface has.
I wonder if there is a time period when they form after rain?.
Different to mushrooms but similar involving rain.
Date: 13/08/2026 15:21:52
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419800
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
iQ s there a time period when potholes from after rain
Google AI
Potholes can start to form and pop up within hours to a few days after heavy or continuous rain begins. The exact timeline depends heavily on traffic volume and the underlying state of the road.
How Potholes Develop After Rain
Immediate hours: Driving over a flooded or water-logged road forces water deep into tiny cracks via hydraulic pressure. Heavy vehicles passing by quickly squeeze and break apart the softened surface.
24 to 72 hours: As the base layers and sub-soil beneath the asphalt wash away or turn to mud, a hollow cavity forms. Once cars and trucks continue driving over this unsupported “crème brûlée” layer, the surface caves in completely, creating a sudden and severe pothole.
Days to weeks: Persistent standing water and ongoing traffic rapidly widen and deepen the initial hole.
Date: 13/08/2026 15:26:47
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419803
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
iQ s there a time period when potholes from after rain
Google AI
Potholes can start to form and pop up within hours to a few days after heavy or continuous rain begins. The exact timeline depends heavily on traffic volume and the underlying state of the road.
How Potholes Develop After Rain
Immediate hours: Driving over a flooded or water-logged road forces water deep into tiny cracks via hydraulic pressure. Heavy vehicles passing by quickly squeeze and break apart the softened surface.
24 to 72 hours: As the base layers and sub-soil beneath the asphalt wash away or turn to mud, a hollow cavity forms. Once cars and trucks continue driving over this unsupported “crème brûlée” layer, the surface caves in completely, creating a sudden and severe pothole.
Days to weeks: Persistent standing water and ongoing traffic rapidly widen and deepen the initial hole.
I messed up the question.
Q. Is there a time period when potholes form after rain?
I’d like to see more studies in this area.
Do depressions form first or do cracks form first?
Date: 13/08/2026 15:29:07
From: roughbarked
ID: 2419805
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
iQ s there a time period when potholes from after rain
Google AI
Potholes can start to form and pop up within hours to a few days after heavy or continuous rain begins. The exact timeline depends heavily on traffic volume and the underlying state of the road.
How Potholes Develop After Rain
Immediate hours: Driving over a flooded or water-logged road forces water deep into tiny cracks via hydraulic pressure. Heavy vehicles passing by quickly squeeze and break apart the softened surface.
24 to 72 hours: As the base layers and sub-soil beneath the asphalt wash away or turn to mud, a hollow cavity forms. Once cars and trucks continue driving over this unsupported “crème brûlée” layer, the surface caves in completely, creating a sudden and severe pothole.
Days to weeks: Persistent standing water and ongoing traffic rapidly widen and deepen the initial hole.
I messed up the question.
Q. Is there a time period when potholes form after rain?
I’d like to see more studies in this area.
Do depressions form first or do cracks form first?
This aspect can differ if there is a local high watertable.
Date: 13/08/2026 15:44:17
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419812
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
roughbarked said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
iQ s there a time period when potholes from after rain
Google AI
Potholes can start to form and pop up within hours to a few days after heavy or continuous rain begins. The exact timeline depends heavily on traffic volume and the underlying state of the road.
How Potholes Develop After Rain
Immediate hours: Driving over a flooded or water-logged road forces water deep into tiny cracks via hydraulic pressure. Heavy vehicles passing by quickly squeeze and break apart the softened surface.
24 to 72 hours: As the base layers and sub-soil beneath the asphalt wash away or turn to mud, a hollow cavity forms. Once cars and trucks continue driving over this unsupported “crème brûlée” layer, the surface caves in completely, creating a sudden and severe pothole.
Days to weeks: Persistent standing water and ongoing traffic rapidly widen and deepen the initial hole.
I messed up the question.
Q. Is there a time period when potholes form after rain?
I’d like to see more studies in this area.
Do depressions form first or do cracks form first?
This aspect can differ if there is a local high watertable.
Yes, underneath aspects, just as important as what’s happening up top.
Changing weather conditions, changing ground conditions.
Date: 13/08/2026 16:18:01
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419830
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Rainfall to pot hole ratio.
Certain rainfalls would trigger more potholes than other rainfalls I guess.
Weather statistics lead to road statistics.
More information is needed.
Work in progress.
Date: 13/08/2026 16:28:24
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2419832
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Rainfall to pot hole ratio.
Certain rainfalls would trigger more potholes than other rainfalls I guess.
Weather statistics lead to road statistics.
More information is needed.
Work in progress.
I’m thinking it’s those long rainy days that are the culprit.
Date: 23/08/2026 02:15:22
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2422958
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
I wonder what the optimum road speed is for minimising pothole formation?
Date: 23/08/2026 02:26:24
From: party_pants
ID: 2422959
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
I wonder what the optimum road speed is for minimising pothole formation?
Pothole formation is not about the speed of traffic over the top of them, it is about water infiltration of the subsurface of the road. It is a construction and engineering problem in the construction of roads.
Date: 23/08/2026 02:35:04
From: Kingy
ID: 2422960
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
party_pants said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
I wonder what the optimum road speed is for minimising pothole formation?
Pothole formation is not about the speed of traffic over the top of them, it is about water infiltration of the subsurface of the road. It is a construction and engineering problem in the construction of roads.
And it’s usually organic matter rotting down(an old tree stump or a bit of stray wood in the base), or some gravel with too much clay so that the larger particles are free to move. Either of these let the surface move under load and eventually crack, letting in moisture which just make that problem worse, allowing the edges of the crack to break and open up a pothole. It continues to grow as the wheels hit the water in it, and as the base of the tire leaves the surface of the base of the pothole, the vacuum created sucks a bit more of the road base out. This continual effect from a lot of traffic is what makes potholes grow.
Date: 23/08/2026 07:27:24
From: The Rev Dodgson
ID: 2422971
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
I wonder what the optimum road speed is for minimising pothole formation?
0 km/h.
Date: 23/08/2026 07:36:12
From: SCIENCE
ID: 2422972
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
The Rev Dodgson said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
I wonder what the optimum road speed is for minimising pothole formation?
0 km/h.
we prefer just 0 to make the point
Date: 23/08/2026 07:38:03
From: roughbarked
ID: 2422974
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
The Rev Dodgson said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
I wonder what the optimum road speed is for minimising pothole formation?
0 km/h.
Good.
Date: 23/08/2026 07:41:35
From: roughbarked
ID: 2422975
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
roughbarked said:
The Rev Dodgson said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
I wonder what the optimum road speed is for minimising pothole formation?
0 km/h.
Good.
Heavy trucks escalate the issue. Include lots of heavy traddic and it becomes almost unrepairable.
Date: 23/08/2026 07:49:18
From: Divine Angel
ID: 2422976
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
roughbarked said:
roughbarked said:
The Rev Dodgson said:
0 km/h.
Good.
Heavy trucks escalate the issue. Include lots of heavy traddic and it becomes almost unrepairable.
Near Mini Me’s school, there’s a slow point in the road. Coming out of the slow point, a pot hole forms and there’s no way to get around it. Every time there’s heavy rain, it reappears. About a month or so ago, the council just resurfaced that part of the road altogether. That particular road doesn’t get heavy trucks or buses but does get a lot of school traffic.
Date: 23/08/2026 07:52:34
From: roughbarked
ID: 2422977
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Divine Angel said:
roughbarked said:
roughbarked said:
Good.
Heavy trucks escalate the issue. Include lots of heavy traddic and it becomes almost unrepairable.
Near Mini Me’s school, there’s a slow point in the road. Coming out of the slow point, a pot hole forms and there’s no way to get around it. Every time there’s heavy rain, it reappears. About a month or so ago, the council just resurfaced that part of the road altogether. That particular road doesn’t get heavy trucks or buses but does get a lot of school traffic.
Naturally, the more times it gets run over, the bigger the pothole gets.
Date: 23/08/2026 09:10:37
From: Ian
ID: 2422996
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
That’s not a pothole. This is a pothole.
In the very wet years prior to this drier one the Clarence Valley was the most potholed shire in NSW.
If it’s not the potholes it’s the precipitous drop off the tarred edge. Currently my gravel road is virtually impassable on one side and badly potholed on the other in some sections.
Country roads but…
Date: 25/08/2026 00:42:35
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2423512
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
This article talks about thunderquakes and using fibre optical cable to look underground.
Thunderquakes turn storms into a new tool for imaging underground hazards
Penn State researchers used seismic signals from thunder to map weak rock and karst features as deep as 100 meters beneath campus.
More…
Maybe in the future, roads could be built with embedded optic cables looking for underground faults.
Date: 25/08/2026 00:58:44
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2423513
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
This article talks about thunderquakes and using fibre optical cable to look underground.
Thunderquakes turn storms into a new tool for imaging underground hazards
Penn State researchers used seismic signals from thunder to map weak rock and karst features as deep as 100 meters beneath campus.
More…
Maybe in the future, roads could be built with embedded optic cables looking for underground faults.
Creswick Road between Ballarat and Creswick is in terrible condition and needs to be rebuilt so this could a test bed for the new road with fibre optic cable looking for underground faults such as pot holes under the road while delivering data.
Two particular spots could do with some deeper analysis and deeper work to stay post pot hole free.
Date: 25/08/2026 01:12:53
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2423514
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
This article talks about thunderquakes and using fibre optical cable to look underground.
Thunderquakes turn storms into a new tool for imaging underground hazards
Penn State researchers used seismic signals from thunder to map weak rock and karst features as deep as 100 meters beneath campus.
More…
Maybe in the future, roads could be built with embedded optic cables looking for underground faults.
Creswick Road between Ballarat and Creswick is in terrible condition and needs to be rebuilt so this could a test bed for the new road with fibre optic cable looking for underground faults such as pot holes under the road while delivering data.
Two particular spots could do with some deeper analysis and deeper work to stay post pot hole free.
When there are no thunderquakes around, maybe artificial quakes could be generated using speakers or other audio technologies, these would generate subsonic sound and could easily map the whole layer of the roads surface and directly underneath it, perfect for pot hole detection.
Date: 25/08/2026 01:30:58
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2423515
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
This article talks about thunderquakes and using fibre optical cable to look underground.
Thunderquakes turn storms into a new tool for imaging underground hazards
Penn State researchers used seismic signals from thunder to map weak rock and karst features as deep as 100 meters beneath campus.
More…
Maybe in the future, roads could be built with embedded optic cables looking for underground faults.
Creswick Road between Ballarat and Creswick is in terrible condition and needs to be rebuilt so this could a test bed for the new road with fibre optic cable looking for underground faults such as pot holes under the road while delivering data.
Two particular spots could do with some deeper analysis and deeper work to stay post pot hole free.
When there are no thunderquakes around, maybe artificial quakes could be generated using speakers or other audio technologies, these would generate subsonic sound and could easily map the whole layer of the roads surface and directly underneath it, perfect for pot hole detection.
I wonder if fibre optic cable could be temporarily laid on a roads surface by the side of a truck or directly underneath the truck, and right in the middle also underneath the truck could be the speakers, producing sound waves which could be picked up by the cable?
Date: 25/08/2026 02:28:29
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 2423517
Subject: re: Pothole Pandemonium
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Tau.Neutrino said:
Creswick Road between Ballarat and Creswick is in terrible condition and needs to be rebuilt so this could a test bed for the new road with fibre optic cable looking for underground faults such as pot holes under the road while delivering data.
Two particular spots could do with some deeper analysis and deeper work to stay post pot hole free.
When there are no thunderquakes around, maybe artificial quakes could be generated using speakers or other audio technologies, these would generate subsonic sound and could easily map the whole layer of the roads surface and directly underneath it, perfect for pot hole detection.
I wonder if fibre optic cable could be temporarily laid on a roads surface by the side of a truck or directly underneath the truck, and right in the middle also underneath the truck could be the speakers, producing sound waves which could be picked up by the cable?
Related article
Using thunderquakes to X‑ray Earth – a new study shows urban seismology in action
When lightning strikes, it superheats the air around it and creates a shock wave that we hear as thunder. But thunder doesn’t just travel through the atmosphere to our ears.
When that energy reaches the ground, some of it is converted into seismic waves that ripple through the soil and rock beneath. The resulting vibrations are known as “thunderquakes.”

Thunderquake raypath diagram. Raypath schematic of thunderquake generation. Direct acoustic waves from along the thunderbolt (T1 and T2) couple into the ground and environment, creating propagating waves and surface waves. The summation of all these waves constitutes the thunderquake wavefield observed by DAS. (CREDIT: Tieyuan Zhu et al, Science Advances)
More…