According to experts, vehicles driving on smoother
pavements, particularly smooth asphalt pavements, consume less fuel than
driving over rough road conditions of poorly constructed roads. Overall, less fuel
consumption helps the environment and aids in lessening consumer’s fuel budgets, leading to a
greener and more cost effective form of infrastructure. Since the United States
has over 2.5 million miles of paved roads, just a slight change in each
person’s fuel economy can make a huge difference. If every American drove on
smooth roads throughout their entire lifetime, they would save dramatic amounts
of money on fuel savings as well as helping to conserve our natural resources,
too (Asphalt Pavement Alliance).
Studies at a pavement test track in Nevada have shown that
driving on smoother surfaces can reduce fuel consumption in the neighborhood of
4.5 to 5 percent compared to fuel consumption on a rough pavement
(asphaltroads.org). According to the National Transportation Research Group(TRIP), more than
one-quarter (27 percent) of the nation's major urban roads (interstates, freeways
and other arterial routes) have pavements that are in substandard condition and
provide an unacceptably rough ride to motorists, costing the average urban
driver $377 annually, a total of $80 billion nationwide (www.forconstructionpros.com). Even worse, in some
areas, driving on deteriorated roadways costs the average driver more than $800
each year (www.forconstructionpros.com). Driving on these
deteriorated roads increases consumer costs by accelerating vehicle
deterioration and depreciation and increasing needed maintenance, fuel
consumption and overall tire wear (www.forconstructionpros.com) costing Americans money.
Building Smoother
Roads to Improve Fuel Efficiency
In order to provide and maintain smoother roads across the
country, they need to be constructed and engineered correctly at the beginning of the construction process. In order to do that, the asphalt roads need to be strong,
durable and resistant to rutting and cracking, resulting in an extended smooth
asphalt life. One way to extend asphalt pavement life is with FORTA-FI®,
a high tensile strength synthetic fiber blend formulated to reinforce asphalt
mixes in both new construction or overlay projects. The unique fiber blend is
designed to enhance your current design mix. The fibers will not melt in the
asphalt mix and are known for their strength and durability in both high and
low temperatures.
FORTAfied asphalt is stronger asphalt, and builds
tougher roads that are both safer, and more fiscally responsible. Today, more
than ever, using time and material resources responsibly is everyone's goal,
especially when it reduces fuel consumption, which benefits the environment and
the consumer’s pockets. FORTA-FI® is uniquely capable of reinforcing
all asphalt mixtures allowing for longer and smoother pavement life, which
translates into reduced labor, reduced time and reduced logistics thereby
reducing overall project costs and the cost of road maintenance, leading to fewer consumer costs, too.
Overall, by choosing to reinforce asphalt pavement with FORTA-FI®,
the nation will be able to slowly make its way to smoother, cost efficient and
environmentally friendly roadways for years to come.
