Tuesday, December 11, 2012

APA Gets the FACTS Out About Asphalt



www.AsphaltFACTS.com Launched to Raise Awareness of the Benefits of Smooth, Economical Asphalt Pavements

LANHAM, Md., Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asphalt Pavement Alliance kicks off its Asphalt FACTS campaign today to help raise public awareness about the many benefits of asphalt pavements.

"Every day, we all use asphalt roads without giving them a second thought. Most people don't understand how technologically advanced asphalt pavements have become and the important role they play in sustainable infrastructure," said Mike Kvach, Executive Director of the APA. "Asphalt FACTS will help raise the awareness of those who use, buy, and design roads as to the benefits of smooth, economical asphalt pavements."

Ninety-four percent of the roads in America are surfaced with asphalt — and for good reasons. Asphalt creates the smoothest surface for driving, ensuring a quieter, more comfortable ride, as well as helping to optimize fuel economy. Asphalt roads can be built more quickly and cost effectively than other pavements, and they can be designed as a Perpetual Pavement that needs only periodic maintenance to remain in good shape practically forever.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about asphalt pavements, but the truth is they are an important part of environmentally responsible construction," said Kvach. "A wide range of recyclable materials — roofing shingles, ground tires, glass — are incorporated into asphalt pavements. Even more exciting is that when asphalt is reclaimed, that material is completely renewable and can be used to build new roads. In fact, asphalt pavement is the most recycled material in America."

The Asphalt FACTS campaign is centered on a new Web site, www.AsphaltFACTS.com, which highlights the truth about smooth, safe, durable, quiet, economical asphalt pavements. The site offers a wealth of links to resources for more information. The site will be promoted through print advertising in trade magazines, social media campaigns, and other education efforts.

"The APA is excited to put the facts about asphalt pavements in front of the public and to get them thinking about the roads they use every day," Kvach said.

About the Asphalt Pavement Alliance:
The Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) is a coalition of the Asphalt Institute, the National Asphalt Pavement Association, and the State Asphalt Pavement Associations. The Alliance's mission is to establish asphalt pavement as the preferred choice for quality, performance and the environment. The APA will accomplish this through research, technology transfer, engineering, education, and innovation.


Contact:
Mike Kvach
APA Executive Director
301.918.8391
mkvach@asphaltroads.org


SOURCE Asphalt Pavement Alliance


Friday, December 7, 2012

UDOT Changes


Gov. Gary Herbert announced a major overhaul of his Cabinet on Friday, replacing the heads of the departments of transportation, public safety and corrections in what his office said were "initial changes" to state leadership.
The move was hinted at last month when Herbert’s chief of staff, Derek Miller, said that as much as half of the governor’s 22-member Cabinet could be replaced as Herbert embarks on his first full term as governor.

Monday, December 3, 2012

The Everyday Miracle

You'll never ignore that ordinary strip of pavement under your wheels again.

Chapter 1: My obsession with asphalt was born on a bike ride through a cemetery 

I don't remember how I ended up there that day. Maybe I pedaled up for the view, a smashing panorama of the San Francisco skyline that lies at the end of a grand network of roads and paved lanes that reach up into the hills. Or maybe I was delaying the end of a too-short ride by tacking on a detour that meandered among prim headstones and Munsteresque family crypts. What I do remember clearly is sensory—sniffing the freshly cut grass near the entrance, then noticing the sound of my tires on the pavement, something like sizzling bacon. As I started riding uphill, the smooth, black, buttery layer of asphalt gave way to something crunchy, like the crumb topping on a coffee cake. Little cascades of stones skittered away from my tires. The pavement changed again, tight and brownish. Cracks appeared, then a puzzling, fresh patch of pitch-black asphalt. There came a pothole. And, just past a grave labeled Nutter, the pavement gave up entirely, and the road turned to dirt.  

All the major existential questions rushed at me: Why does some asphalt stay and some asphalt go? Where do roads come from?

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