As many of us continue to partake in road travel, it is vital that this infrastructure is protected and is also able to keep up with the times. Out of the 2.6 million miles of roads paved in the United States, around 94% are paved with asphalt. It’s clear that asphalt is a popular paving material that’s here to stay, but what’s so special about it? Let’s explore what asphalt has to offer to both cars and their drivers.
1. Ensures Less Damage to Your Vehicle
Due to its durable and versatile nature, asphalt ensures that your car can glide across road surfaces without getting caught up by stray pieces of dry gravel. Loose gravel can get trapped within the wheels of certain cars or can get thrown into the air, causing a plethora of scratches and scuffs to occur. Asphalt also reduces the number of potholes found on the road, which can also help your car to remain aligned and your suspension to remain in great condition.
2. Cheaper to Install
The Spruce notes that asphalt installations typically cost $5 to $7 per square foot, making it an incredibly affordable option for just about any area. Together with its effectiveness, communities across the country have the chance to enjoy the benefits of asphalt without worrying about high costs. Its affordability also means that it can be used in a variety of different ways, allowing contractors to experiment with this material as well. Asphalt also has a very long lifespan, making it an extremely cost-effective option for large and small projects.
3. A Safer Option
Asphalt is considered to be skid-resistant, allowing cars to drive across dangerous surfaces while the driver maintains a strong sense of control. This material is also perfect for highlighting visual markings, ensuring that they can be seen in most weather conditions. Its dark surface also absorbs a lot more sunlight, helping to melt snow and ice a lot faster than concrete or gravel. Drivers can rest assured that their local roads are fitted with a material that puts their safety first.
4. An Ideal Material for Parking Lots
Fortune Magazine explains that cars are parked around 95% of the time, making asphalt a great solution for modern-day parking lots. Since asphalt is exceptionally durable, it can be used in both indoor and outdoor parking lots. Since asphalt is somewhat porous, it also absorbs some of the noise from vehicles driving over it. This makes it a great choice for parking garages. Asphalt is also incredibly sustainable since it’s 100% recyclable, which is beneficial for those who are looking to form carbon-neutral parking lots or are eager to prolong the lifespan of their facility.
5. Offers More Economical Fuel Consumption
While concrete pavement has its place, driving on it is often a less-than-pleasant experience. It’s coarser texture creates excess noise and doesn’t make for a smooth ride. Asphalt, on the other hand, is a much smoother material that provides a better driving experience. As your car continues to drive smoothly, your tires don’t have to fight additional friction, leading to significant fuel savings. You can fill your tank less often when you drive on well-maintained asphalt roads.
As the world continues to look toward more sustainable practices, asphalt offers us the chance to revolutionize road travel. With its flexible nature and cost-effective benefits, this material has the power to transform how we drive our cars for the better.
