Featured Image Caption: Double Yellow Line in the Middle of the Road
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Roads and infrastructure projects require careful consideration. Designs have to account for many variables, and material choices impact cost, longevity, safety, and more when planning the project.
In many cases, the materials used are dictated by the constraints of the project, and interestingly enough, asphalt becomes the proper material with regularity.
What is it about asphalt that makes it so great? Why is it the clear material of choice for roads around the world? Those questions have several answers, and we’re going to explore them in detail.
Cost Effectiveness
The cost-effectiveness alone makes asphalt the best choice for many construction projects. In terms of price per square meter, it’s the clear winner in the majority of cases.
This does not mean that asphalt is always the very cheapest option. Loose gravel often costs less, but it doesn’t last as long. Nor does it mean that asphalt always lasts the longest or performs the best. In many cases, concrete (or a combination of concrete and asphalt) lasts considerably longer, but the cost is much higher.
Instead, when you weigh the cost of construction against the lifespan of the material, asphalt comes out the winner again and again.
Versatility
Still, cost efficiency is not the sole advantage of asphalt. The material also offers high versatility. It can adapt to shapes, depths, and construction metrics more easily than most other construction materials.
This is why roads can take custom shapes that adapt to the terrain. Parking lots can fit many designs. Asphalt can be thicker or thinner according to traffic expectations to maximize cost efficiency.
Asphalt also works great on roofs, foot-traffic areas, outdoor play areas, and more. We associate it with roads, but the versatility allows it to work in nearly unlimited applications.
Adding to this, modern asphalt equipment allows for quick adjustments in the middle of a project. Without the need for complex forms or other inhibiting factors, asphalt’s versatility shines from design through construction.
Ease of Use
Tying into versatility and cost efficiency, asphalt is easy to use. Crews can roll out large sections of asphalt very quickly. On top of that, it enjoys a remarkably short curing time. A concrete section might need to sit for days before traffic can drive over it. Asphalt can withstand traffic mere hours after application.
This speed saves costs by lowering labor times (especially when projects need to work during premium pay hours), and it applies to more than the installation of new roads. Easier construction methods can also improve worksite safety.
Asphalt is also quickly and easily repaired. The versatility allows for teams to fill a single pot hole instead of resurfacing an entire area. This lowers maintenance costs, makes repairs much faster, and extends the effective life of the material.
Even when full resurfacing is necessary, asphalt retains its work advantages compared to other materials.
Smoothness
More specific to driving applications, asphalt is one of the smoothest construction surfaces in just about any environment. In extreme temperatures, concrete is prone to warping. Meanwhile, gravel or other asphalt alternatives struggle to maintain a smooth shape especially in the face of heavy rain.
Asphalt installs as a smooth surface and stays smooth for a long time. That’s great for driving and parking. It’s also great for other applications that benefit from a smooth surface.
Sustainability
Easily overlooked, asphalt is one of the most sustainable construction materials. It’s very easy to recycle. In fact, when roads are resurfaced, the vast majority of asphalt torn out of the old road is reused with the new road. According to FHWA, more than 99 percent of asphalt can be reclaimed in a road resurfacing project.
Knowing that, it’s no surprise that asphalt is one of the most recycled materials in the United States and the whole world. It can often be recycled on site, dramatically lowering material costs for many projects.
The reusability of asphalt further adds to its cost efficiency and ease of use.
Using the Best Material
Asphalt is not always the best material for any infrastructure project, but it dominates the landscape for compelling reasons, especially when it comes to roads. Unless constraints eliminate asphalt as a viable choice, it’s often the best way to go.
By Jordan McDowell
who is a writer and second amendment rights advocate. As a proud advocate for responsible gun rights nationwide, he writes about recreational hunting as well as the latest developments in state and national legislation.
Member since April, 2024
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