According to the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, 94 percent of roads in the United States are surfaced with asphalt. Think about your daily commute, the errands you run, or walks in your neighborhood. All of this is possible because of the simple material we call asphalt. We hardly think about it, but asphalt is really important. Essentially, you know that your asphalt roads are working because you don’t have to think about them.
A new campaign going on right now centers around asphalt, the misconceptions and benefits of this unique form of pavement. The Asphalt FACTS campaign is centered on a new website, www.AsphaltFACTS.com, which provides information about asphalt pavements. The site is filled with all kinds of fascinating tidbits that will change the way you think about asphalt. For example, did you know that American taxpayers save over $1.5 billion per year by recycling asphalt?
The Benefits of Asphalt
Asphalt has a great number of benefits, especially when compared to other types of paving materials. First, asphalt roads can be constructed simply and without a lot of money. Long lasting, asphalt pavement only requires minimal maintenance to keep in good condition. Asphalt is extremely durable, so that the road never needs to be removed or replaced. And it establishes an incredibly smooth surface for driving, resulting in a ride that is comfortable and quiet. Because asphalt is so quiet, expensive and ugly sound walls don’t need to be constructed to insulate roadways. Also, asphalt is safe. It provides incredible gripping power, keeping riders safe from accidents.
Many of us have the wrong idea about asphalt. The old mindset is that asphalt is expensive and not environmentally friendly. In truth, asphalt pavement is the most recycled material in America. That’s because you can make asphalt out of a wide variety of materials that are recyclable, such as roofing shingles, ground tires, and glass. Some areas are even experimenting with using plain, old, everyday garbage as part of their asphalt paving plans.
When these materials are incorporated into the asphalt, everyone benefits. We have less trash going into landfills and our roadways are being built with the environment in mind. Did you know that recycling of asphalt pavements and asphalt shingles in 2010 alone conserved 20.5 million barrels of asphalt binder? Asphalt pavements are one of our greatest renewable resources. With recycling, tax payers benefit, especially when items such as shingles are recycled into our nation’s roads.
Can Asphalt Really Save Me Money?
Well maintained asphalt provides you with more than just a smooth ride. Most of us probably don’t think about it on a daily basis, but the smoother your asphalt, is the better your car is going to perform. Ultimately, a well-surfaced asphalt road helps to maximize your fuel economy. Go to www.AsphaltFACTS.com and see how in just a short amount of time, asphalt has turned America’s worst roads into smooth ones.
