Vehicles traveling on smooth pavements consume up to 4.5 percent less fuel than when traveling on rough pavements. Asphalt pavements start out smooth and stay smooth.
Less energy consumed in building pavements
Asphalt pavements require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than other pavements. Rubblization of concrete pavement with an asphalt overlay also saves energy. The rubblized pavement does not need to be hauled away; new base material does not need to be trucked in; and landfill space is saved. In addition, the need for mining, crushing, and processing of virgin materials is reduced.
Less energy consumed by the traveling public
Reducing congestion—which wastes fuel— by constructing asphalt pavements just makes sense. Asphalt pavements are faster to construct and rehabilitate. Asphalt pavement rehabilitation can be accomplished during off-peak hours. On highly traveled routes, much of this work can be done at night. One or more lanes can be closed after the evening rush hour, milled for recycling, resurfaced, and then opened for traffic the following morning. Most motorists do not have to deal with the inconvenience of construction delay. Because a new or newly rehabilitated asphalt pavement can be opened to traffic as soon as it has been compacted and cooled, there is no question of waiting for days or weeks, with traffic being detoured or squeezed into fewer for the material to cure.
Lower emissions
When vehicles consume less fuel, they produce lower emissions. Reducing emissions from vehicles would reduce greenhouse gas production and have a tremendous impact on global climate change.Smoothing out all our rough old pavements with asphalt overlays would be an energy-efficient investment.