Top Traits U.S Drivers Want from Roads

May 20, 2019

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released information stating the average American spends just over 26 minutes commuting. The increase is due to the fact that more drivers are hitting our roads. Anyone living in the Middle Tennessee area will recognize the recent spike in traffic and won’t dispute these claims about traffic times. With so many people on the road not only in Tennessee but across the nation, the Asphalt Paving Alliance surveyed drivers to understand what they were looking for from their road conditions.

WHAT U.S. DRIVERS WANT FROM THEIR ROADS

PROPER MAINTENANCE

No one wants to drive on roads under construction. The conditions are hazardous and sometimes mean congestion. In a survey, 8 out of 10 drivers and 7 out of 10 truck drivers agreed that they would prefer if maintenance were conducted during off-peak times. The good news is asphalt installation and resurfacing can be done during off-peak hours. It dries quickly and doesn’t inconvenience commuters. Even better you don’t have to worry about compromising quality. Pavement is smooth with a high-performance value. The evenness of the road saves drivers on fuel consumption and reduces vehicle maintenance costs. The average highway would last somewhere around 25 years. But, with regular asphalt maintenance services, the lifespan could extend to 50 years or more.

A SAFE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The study conducted presented the participants with 14 different variables to consider in road construction. Out of the 14, over half agreed safety was imperative. How do you ensure road safety? Smoothness. Smooth, well-maintained roads reduce the chances of traffic accidents. With all the friction from tires, highways, interstates, and roadways are going to deteriorate over time. Using concrete to build systems is costly. Not just in installation but maintenance. Concrete is rehabilitated in slabs. As maintenance is underway, detours are imposed to provide safety for construction workers. With concrete, these detours could last days. Asphalt on the other hand dries and lays quickly. At the end of the service life, pavement is recycled and reused.

SMOOTH ROADS

Drivers understand the necessity of maintaining safe roadways with periodic maintenance. And, most of them are ok with it. At the end of the day, they want a smoother road and will accept minor delays to maintain the experience. Many of the 3,085 drivers surveyed wanted quieter roads for comfort. But, there are other positive attributes as well.

Using asphalt to create a smooth road increases lifespan by up to 25% meaning less time spent on lengthy maintenance.
Rough terrain will wear out tires, shocks, brakes, and wheels causing higher carrying costs for drivers.
Smooth roads save drivers up to 10% in fuel costs.
A stable surface is better for tire contact and keeping drivers safe in rainy conditions.
When using asphalt to create a steady road, you get quieter driving conditions.

ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF SMOOTH, DURABLE ROADS. CONTACT ROADBUILDERS TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ASPHALT SERVICES WE OFFER.

ASPHALT SERVICES

WHAT IS NEEDED TO INSTALL A GOOD ROAD

IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Drainage is vital for safety and integrity. Too much water and the entire serviceability is compromised. Improving drainage and irrigation during the installation helps in addition to working with porous materials. Asphalt can help move water away from the surface at frequent intervals.

FIRM FOUNDATION

Without adequate support, roadways deteriorate — rapidly. They say streets wear out from the top but fall out from the bottom. Roads should be constructed from soil that doesn’t fluctuate under the weight and pressure from traffic.

OPTIMIZE FOR WINTER

Winter weather is brutal on all outdoor building materials. Roads included. Construct a new highway, street, or parking lot to survive a harsh winter, and it will outperform the rest of the year. Considerations should include safe grades and drainage.

BUILD TO HOLD HEAVY LOADS

Trucks are exceptionally heavy and wear down a road quickly. It’s suggested that it takes 9,600 cars driving on a roadway to equal that of one pass from an 80,000-pound truck. Always consider the most substantial vehicle that will utilize the road during construction.

BUILD FROM THE BOTTOM UP

The beauty of asphalt is its ability to be rehabilitated with resurfacing. Without a solid, structured base the asphalt maintenance would be worthless. Installation of a solid base might require digging out the road and adding new materials before building out with pavement.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE

Cracks, potholes, divots, and other blemishes populate over time. These attributes negotiate the integrity of the blacktop. Regular maintenance keeps the entire system from being compromised. Cracking filling, sealcoating, and resurfacing asphalt go a long way to keep it healthy.

HIRING THE BEST MIDDLE TENNESSEE ASPHALT PAVER

Creating a solid road system is crucial to functionality and lifespan. Working with a qualified asphalt paver helps you achieve these goals. At Roadbuilders, we’ve been assisting Middle Tennessee with all their asphalt paving needs. From installation to asphalt maintenance services, we have comprehensive experience that allows us to give our clients superior service and maintenance. Contact us to learn more.

Categorised in: Roads