Vehicles Consume Less Fuel on Smoother Asphalt Pavements

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.