Asphalt Review - Volume 29 Number 2 (June / July 2010)

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ASPHALT REVIEW Smoothness Matters The US Asphalt Pavement Alliance has released a publication “Smoothness Matters”. This emphasises the importance of well maintained flexible pavements to save costs for the community and reduce emissions to the environment. It is therefore as relevant to Australia as it is to the US. The US Asphalt Pavement Alliance (ACA) publication “Smoothness Matters” comments that pavement smoothness is a significant determinant of vehicle fuel economy. That is, the smoother the pavement, the lower a vehicle’s fuel consumption. This is as pavement smoothness affects the rolling resistance by influencing friction between the tyre and the pavement. This makes common sense – the less rolling resistance, the less energy necessary to drive a vehicle along the pavement. However, how much difference can the pavement smoothness make to fuel consumption? Smoothness Matters refers to a full scale field study conducted – it was a fullscale field study conducted by the Federal Highway Administration at the WesTrack pavement test track in Nevada. This study indicated that trucks running on slightly smoother pavement could reduce fuel consumption by 4.5 percent. Other studies show similar or sometimes greater fuel savings with cars running on smoother pavements. Studies also show that the savings are even greater when one compares the roughest pavements in a highway network with the smoothest. Some experts estimate that it is possible to reduce fuel RoadsJobs consumption 15/6/10 by as 12:40 much PM as Page 10% 1 by rehabilitating the roughest pavements. Not only do smoother pavements reduce fuel consumption, they also reduce vehicle operating costs and driver fatigue by minimizing tyre bounce and load impacts. According to figures developed by the US Road Information Program (TRIP), driving on rough roads costs the US motorists $23 billion annually in extra vehicle operating costs. Smoother pavements also last longer as truck tyres roll along the pavement instead of bouncing on each bump. Even small bumps, accelerate the rate of road deterioration. Studies in the US show that improving pavement smoothness by 25% results in almost a 10% increase in pavement longevity. This saves taxpayers money and conserves natural resources. Keeping a road smooth begins with a well-engineered foundation and pavement structure. An asphalt “perpetual pavement” is designed and built to ensure that the structure lasts virtually indefinitely. Routine maintenance is simply a matter of infrequently milling the surface for recycling, followed by placing a smooth new asphalt overlay, a task that can be done quickly with short road or lane closures and little impact on traffic. It has been determined that if the roads across the US could be made slightly smoother there would be a saving of at least 4 percent of the fuel consumed. This would reduce annual vehicle fuel consumption by about 7 billion gallons, equivalent to taking over 10 million vehicles off the road every year, reducing fuel and vehicle maintenance While we don’t use as much fuel as the US, smoother roads in Australia would have a significant impact on fuel consumption. The use of asphalt pavements is the most effective means of achieving and maintaining smooth roads. Asphalt surfaces can also be made to meet a range of requirements such as low noise, skid resistance and to minimise water spray and can be readily maintained at low cost and minimal disruption. The ACA document can be downloaed in full from http://asphaltroads.org. For a full discussion of studies on this topic, Marks, Howard, PhD. 2009. Smoothness Matters: The Influence of Pavement on Fuel Consumption. Hot Mix Asphalt Technology Vol. 14, No. 6, pp. 18-29, available at www.nxtbook. com/nxtbooks/naylor/NAPS0609/index. php#/18. The US Asphalt Pavement Alliance is a joint venture between the US National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), the US Bitumen Institute and US State Asphalt Pavement Associations. APA has just released a new publication highlighting the benefits of asphalt pavement, lower fuel consumption. THE LEADING JOB WEBSITE FOR AUSTRALIA’S ROADS INDUSTRY 34 ROADS JUNE 2010/JULY 2010 The #1 Google search for “road jobs” www.roadjobs.com.au www.roadjobs.com.au
Fulton Hogan and PRS Join Together Since PRS has changed its name to Fulton Hogan, engaging Australasia’s most capable asphalt and surfacing company has never been easier. With over 2000+ people working from 40 locations across Australia, Fulton Hogan has the people, resources and expertise to deliver the most challenging project. To learn more about Fulton Hogan and our broad range of products and services please speak to your account representative or visit our website. For more information Telephone: 03 9340 6200 Email: info@fultonhogan.com.au www.fultonhogan.com
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Asphalt Review - Volume 29 Number 2 (June / July 2010)

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