More than 95-percent of the roads traveled in the United States are paved with asphalt or blacktop as it is commonly referred to. Asphalt is a blend of crushed stone or gravel, sand, and crude oil. The mixture is prepared and heated at an asphalt facility and then transported to the construction site by an Asphalt Paving Contractor using specialized trucks. Once on site, the asphalt is poured and spread, to surface either roads, driveways, or parking lots. Vehicular traffic is usually permitted on the surface within hours after application, one of the many benefits of using asphalt over other paving materials.
Asphalt surfaces provide the following advantages:
- Increased Safety -; Asphalt provides the smoothest driving surface of any material. A smooth driving surface is also a safe driving surface. A smooth surface offers superior traction for an automobile’s tires not to mention a quieter riding experience. Specialty asphalt road surfaces called open-graded asphalt have characteristics that reduce the amount of road spray and splash during rainfall.
- Cost Savings -; Providing a smoother driving surface reduces the daily wear and tear on vehicles thereby reducing maintenance costs. Smoother roads increase life expectancy by almost ten percent which saves taxpayer dollars. Roadways paved by companies like morlockasphaltltd.com are constructed faster than other paving surfaces resulting in reduced down-time for businesses and inconvenience for drivers. Repairs are easily and quickly made with minimal impact on traffic travel time.
- Energy efficient -; Asphalt road surfaces offer increase fuel efficiency by reducing the friction or resistance between the vehicle’s tire and road surface. Specialty asphalt blends have been developed that require less heat in the production process which reduces energy consumption.
- Eco-friendly -; Asphalt is also used in the production of shingles. Recycled asphalt roofing shingles are frequently used in the production of asphalt for road surfaces instead of purchasing new aggregate materials. Recycling shingles from roof tear-offs provides an ecological and economical alternative to placing in landfills and creates jobs at recycling centers and reduces road paving costs.
In addition to the above noted advantages, asphalt roads provided by an Asphalt Paving Contractor, can be done one lane at a time, resulting in minimal travel disruption and traffic congestion. The quicker the construction process the lower the labor costs -; another bonus to taxpayers. Asphalt is a sustainable, cost-effective, and ecologically-friendly paving material for Toledo OH roadways.
