Using asphalt pavement for your road can give you many benefits. These include skid resistance, low cost, and ease of maintenance. It can also be recycled.
Durability
Various factors influence the durability of asphalt pavement. These include construction by paving services Elkhart, IN, design aspects, and climatic and operating conditions. Maintaining the pavement’s structural integrity throughout the entire design life is crucial. Therefore, the Federal Highway Administration recommends that the pavement be rated for structural and functional integrity. It also advises that pavements should be in good condition, including curbs, gutters, culverts, and drains.
Ease of Maintenance
Keeping your asphalt pavement in good shape can prevent more serious problems from occurring in the future. This can save you time and money.
A well-maintained pavement is safer for everyone. It is also much more comfortable to walk and drive on. On the other hand, if the pavement is not in top condition, it can be dangerous for pedestrians and even a serious safety hazard to drivers.
A good pavement can last for twenty to thirty years. This means you will need to perform some maintenance to ensure that it lasts for as long as possible. The good news is that it’s easy to maintain an asphalt surface.
A good seal coat will prevent raveling, which is the shedding of asphalt by water. It also helps to make the pavement more resistant to stains and water.
Low Cost
Increasing demand for infrastructure has created pressure on the pavement sector. The United States has 2.2 million miles of paved roads. However, despite the high demand for pavement, the pavement sector has limited budgets.
The asphalt pavement sector is a major recycler in the country. In addition, using waste materials and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) can help to reduce emissions.
In addition to the economic benefits of RAP, using this material also reduces landfill fees. It also enhances the circularity of the final pavement. The economic benefits of using RAP include reduced transportation, lower emissions, and less expensive virgin aggregates.
Skid Resistance
Several studies have investigated the skid resistance of asphalt pavements. Some of these studies have made important progress in understanding the problem. However, others have recommended further research to improve understanding this important road safety characteristic.
One of the key factors affecting skid resistance is the surface texture. Insufficient surface texture contributes to a large percentage of wet weather crashes. This problem poses a significant challenge to highway agencies when selecting a surface layer.
Another factor affecting skid resistance is the temperature of the pavement. In addition, the degree of polishing has a significant effect on skid resistance. Finally, the presence of ice can also decrease the skid resistance of asphalt pavement.
The texture of the pavement’s surface is also important. A surface with a high degree of microtexture is less prone to hydroplaning. Conversely, a surface with low microtexture is more prone to wet crashes.
Recyclability
Using recycled materials for asphalt pavement is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves construction waste, and reduces dependency on oil. It also helps create new business opportunities.
Many materials are used in asphalt recycling, including glass, tire rubber, slags, and pig manure—typical percentages of recycled material range from 10 to 30%.
The National Asphalt Pavement Association reports that approximately 90 million tons of asphalt pavement are recycled annually. This is near twice the total amount of recyclable materials combined.
Using recycled asphalt also saves American taxpayers billions of dollars every year. In addition, recycled asphalt is more durable and resistant to cracking than fresh asphalt. It also has lower lifecycle impacts than virgin asphalt.
Recycled materials can be used for asphalt pavements and other pavement products. In addition to recycled asphalt, other recycled materials include shingles, tire rubber, and glass.
