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Archive for the ‘The History of Asphalt Pavement’ Category
Friday, August 19th, 2016
America’s veins take quite a lot of asphalt to install, and even more planning. Not to mention, it takes a ridiculous amount of manpower to get something like a highway paved and ready to go.
Have you ever looked at a web of highways and wondered how they manage to put down all of that pavement? America’s veins take quite a lot of asphalt to install, and even more planning. Not to mention, it takes a ridiculous amount of manpower to get something like a highway paved and ready to go. That’s why it seems like construction on highways goes on forever–you may not notice it when you’re driving so fast, but that’s a lot of work! If you want to know what it takes to build a highway road, read on.
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Tags: Asphalt installation, highways, history of highways
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, asphalt installation, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on How Do They Pave So Many Highways?
Friday, October 12th, 2012
Asphalt is an excellent pavement choice for so many reasons. But did you know that asphalt is even a good choice for the environment? According to Dr. Howard Marks of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, “The APA’s newest publication scientifically documents the beneficial effects asphalt pavements can have on water quality.”
Asphalt: The Green Pavement
- Asphalt is one of the most recyclable products around.
- “For improved stormwater management, clean drinking water, and reduced roadside pollution, asphalt pavements are clean and environmentally beneficial,” added Marks.
- Asphalt’s smooth nature saves fuel. ““In fact, it has been documented that a road maintenance program that increases pavement smoothness only slightly could reduce annual vehicle fuel consumption by up to 10 percent on those roads,” said Marks.
- Asphalt pavement and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) DO NOT leach petroleum into the earth.
- Asphalt has a small carbon footprint. “When determining the carbon footprint of anything, it’s important to count everything, and to make sure you don’t count anything twice,” said Marks. “Both initial construction and a 50-year life-cycle were analyzed. In all cases, the carbon footprints of the asphalt pavements were found to be less than 30 percent of equivalent Portland cement concrete pavements.”
- And so much more!
From production to paving to rehabilitation to recycling, asphalt pavements minimize impact on the environment.
For more information, or to schedule a site visit, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today!
PTG Enterprises is a contracting, consulting and project management business dedicated to serving commercial clients throughout Maryland, DC, and Virginia with asphalt and concrete paving services. We have…
- Prepared thousands of Pavement Condition Inspections.
- Contracted and managed millions of dollars in work.
- Supervised and performed quality controls of other contractor’s work.
- Assisted with budgeting and estimating for future and upcoming pavement projects.
- Performed “special pavement projects” which entail specific tasks within certain timelines.
- And so much more!
Check PTG Enterprises out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
APA releases white paper on carbon footprint
Pavement smoothness and fuel economy
Cleaner Water With Asphalt! – APA releases new white paper
Tags: asphalt, asphalt contractor, Asphalt Pavement Alliance, asphalt pavements, Baltimore, carbon footprint, environmentally beneficial, Green Pavement, My Pavement Guy, PTG Enterprises, road maintenance, stormwater management
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement News, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on Asphalt: The Green Pavement Option :: Baltimore Asphalt Contractor
Friday, August 24th, 2012
As Americans become increasingly concerned with the concept of Going Green, environmentally sustainable pavements are also rising in popularity. Fortunately, the asphalt pavement industry has been working for decades on making its pavement greener.
- Asphalt is America’s most recycled material.
- Asphalt is the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly pavement on the market.
- While production of asphalt pavement material increased by 250% between 1960 and 1999, total emissions decreased by 97%.
- Warm mix asphalt reduces the demand for energy in the production and construction of pavements.
- Asphalt is a low carbon footprint pavement.
- Asphalt pavement has a long life & resurfacing is quick.
- Porous pavement helps improve stormwater management.
From production to paving to rehabilitation to recycling, asphalt pavements minimize impact on the environment.
If you have any further questions about Asphalt Pavement or if you have a project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Asphalt Pavement, carbon footprint, emissions, environmentally sustainable pavements, environmentally-friendly pavement, Going Green, maryland, My Pavement Guy, Porous pavement, stormwater management, Sustainability, Warm-mix asphalt
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement News, Porous Asphalt, Recycled Asphalt, The History of Asphalt Pavement, Warm-Mix Asphalt | Comments Off on Black is the New Green :: Asphalt Pavement and Sustainability
Friday, August 17th, 2012
The American dream would not be possible without asphalt. It is one of the building blocks of America. In fact, 94% of the more than 2 million miles of paved roads and highways in the United States are paved using asphalt.
Other Interesting Asphalt Facts and Statistics
- There are about 4,000 asphalt plants nationwide.
- There is at least one asphalt plant in each congressional district.
- Asphalt plants produce 500-550 million tons of asphalt pavements annually.
- Asphalt plants produce in excess of $30 billion in asphalt annually.
- The asphalt industry employs more than 300,000 Americans.
- Asphalt pavement is composed of about 95 percent stone, sand, and gravel by weight, and about 5 percent asphalt cement, a petroleum product.
- Asphalt is America’s most recycled material.
- Asphalt is the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly pavement.
- Between 1960 and 1999, while production of asphalt pavement material increased by 250 percent, total emissions decreased by 97%.
- Asphalt pavements require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than other pavements.
The Benefits of Asphalt Pavement
- Asphalt perpetual pavement is built to be maintained, lasting virtually forever with routine maintenance, periodic milling and overlaying.
- A smooth ride is not only beneficial for comfort reasons, but studies have shown that smooth pavement has a huge effect on fuel economy. And with today’s economy, fuel efficiency is a huge concern! Oh, and did we mention that smoother pavements also last longer? Studies show that improving pavement smoothness by 25 percent results in almost a 10 percent increase in pavement longevity.
- Asphalt greatly reduces the amount of noise pollution produced by motorists.
- Paving with asphalt greatly reduces construction times. And for anyone who has ever been stuck in traffic because of roadwork, this is a big deal!
- With asphalt, maintenance is quick, easy, and cost effective.
If you have any further questions about Asphalt Pavement or if you have a project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Asphalt Education, asphalt experts, Asphalt Facts and Statistics, Asphalt Pavement, Asphalt plants, Benefits of Asphalt, DC, maryland, My Pavement Guy, paved roads, pavement projects, PTG Enterprises
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement News, Perpetual Pavement, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on Asphalt Education: The Incredible World of Asphalt Pavement
Friday, July 6th, 2012
Highway engineers, business owners, and more continue to choose asphalt time and time again, but why? Why is asphalt used for roads, parking lots, and everything in between? What benefits does asphalt offer over other pavement materials?
The Benefits of Asphalt Pavement
- Perpetual Pavements: Asphalt perpetual pavement is built to be maintained, lasting virtually forever with routine maintenance, periodic milling and overlaying.
- A Smooth Ride: A smooth ride is not only beneficial for comfort reasons, but studies have shown that smooth pavement has a huge effect on fuel economy. And with today’s economy, fuel efficiency is a huge concern! Oh, and did we mention that smoother pavements also last longer? Studies show that improving pavement smoothness by 25 percent results in almost a 10 percent increase in pavement longevity.
- Quiet: Asphalt greatly reduces the amount of noise pollution produced by motorists.
- Construction Speed: Paving with asphalt greatly reduces construction times. And for anyone who has ever been stuck in traffic because of roadwork, this is a big deal!
- Maintenance: With asphalt, maintenance is quick, easy, and cost effective.
So the question is: Why would anyone pave with anything else!?
If you have any further questions about Asphalt or if you have a project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: asphalt, asphalt experts, Benefits of Asphalt Pavement, Construction Speed, Frequently Asked Questions, maryland, My Pavement Guy, parking lots, Paving with asphalt, perpetual pavements, PTG Enterprises, roads
Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News, Perpetual Pavement, Quiet Pavement, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on Why Asphalt? Frequently Asked Questions Answered by My Pavement Guy
Friday, June 29th, 2012
You use asphalt every day. But have you ever stopped and wondered to yourself, “Hey, how is asphalt made?” If so, you are not alone. Despite being such an integral part of everyday life, few people know how asphalt is made.
So, without further ado, the process for making asphalt!
- Predose: A belt weigher is used to weigh the aggregate components of asphalt pavement. A belt weigher is used so that the materials can simultaneously be weighed and taken to the next step in the process.
- Drying: The asphalt components are dried in a rotary drying drum at roughly 300 degrees.
- Reweighing: Since drying can alter the weight of the aggregate, it has to be reweighed after drying.
- Storage: The dried components are then sifted and store in silos.
- Mixer: After being transferred to the mixer, binding element, or liquid asphalt is added to the aggregate. Both aggregate and binder are mixed thoroughly to form the paving material.
- Storage Round 2: After mixing, the asphalt is stored in a heated silo. If the asphalt mix cools it cannot be compacted.
- Application: The asphalt is transported by dump trucks to the job site for application.
Hopefully now you know a little bit more about asphalt than you did before!
If you have any further questions about Asphalt or if you have a project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Aggregate, asphalt experts, binding element, Frequently Asked Questions, How is Asphalt Made?, liquid asphalt, maryland, My Pavement Guy, pavement projects, Predose, process for making asphalt, PTG Enterprises
Posted in General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement News, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on How is Asphalt Made? Frequently Asked Questions Answered by My Pavement Guy
Friday, May 18th, 2012
Asphalt pavement is made up of several components, including stone aggregate, sand, additives, and liquid asphalt (petroleum). Once combined, the final product consists of 90-95% aggregate and 5-10% asphalt.
Creating Asphalt Pavement
- Predose: The aggregate components of asphalt pavement are weighed using a belt weighing instrument, so that the materials can simultaneously be weighed and taken to the next step in the process.
- Drying: A rotary drying drum is used to dry the components at around 300 degrees.
- Storage: The preheated or dried components are now sifted and store in silos.
- Mixing: The aggregates are then transferred to the mixer. Both the aggregate and binder are mixed thoroughly to form the paving material.
- Storage Round 2: After the hot asphalt mix is created it is transported to a heated silo, where it is stored and kept hot until it is ready to be used.
Surface Preparation
There is a great deal of surface preparation that must be performed before the asphalt pavement can be applied. This process includes proper clearing, excavation, ground compaction, and the application of liquid asphalt binder and base materials (compacted stone or asphalt base).
Without proper surface preparation, the life of the paved surface is greatly reduced.
- The application of liquid asphalt binder helps the newly paved surface create a greater bond between it and the surface.
- The asphalt pavement mix is laid using an asphalt paver and compacted using asphalt rollers. Proper rolling methods have to be used to ensure proper compaction.
- Once the asphalt is compacted, it is left to solidify for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Enjoy (after you sealcoat your asphalt surface, of course)!
If you have any further questions about Asphalt Pavement or have a project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Asphalt Base, asphalt experts, Baltimore, Creating Asphalt Pavement, liquid asphalt binder, My Pavement Guy, Pavement Contractor, pavement projects, PTG Enterprises, sealcoat, Surface Preparation, What is Asphalt Pavement
Posted in General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement News, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on What is Asphalt Pavement? :: Baltimore Pavement Contractor
Friday, February 24th, 2012
We have a new, powerful tool to help improve stormwater management and water quality: Porous Asphalt.
In nature, rainwater is absorbed by soil, filters through it, and eventually seeps into streams, ponds, lakes, and underground aquifers. In urban areas, rainwater falls directly on cement and asphalt pavements and has nowhere to filter out harmful contaminants. As a result, those contaminants are washed into waterways without undergoing the filtration that nature intended.
This is where porous asphalt can help!
Porous asphalt has an open-graded (porous) surface over an underlying stone recharge bed, allowing rainwater to drain through the asphalt, into the stone, and then the soil. If contaminants were on the surface at the time of the storm, they are swept along with the rainfall through the stone bed. From there they infiltrate into the sub-base so that they are subjected to the natural processes that cleanse water.
Benefits of Porous Asphalt
• Conserve water
• Allow for better use of land
• Reduce runoff
• Promote infiltration
• Clean stormwater
• Replenish aquifers
• Protect streams, ponds, and other waterways
Porous asphalt pavements are being used successfully throughout the United States, in every type of climate and geography. They are recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a best management practice for stormwater management.
If you have any further questions, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
Asphalt for Better Water Quality
Tags: Benefits of Porous Asphalt, cement and asphalt pavements, Clean stormwater, Conserve water, filter out harmful contaminants, Improving Stormwater Management, porous asphalt, PTG Enterprises, rainwater, Reduce runoff, stone recharge bed, water quality
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Porous Asphalt, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on Porous Asphalt: Improving Stormwater Management
Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Believe it or not, asphalt is actually not bad for the environment. Don’t believe me, then check out the facts:
- Between 1960 and 1999, while production of asphalt pavement material increased by 250 percent, total emissions from our operations decreased by 97%.
- Asphalt is an environmentally sustainable pavement.
- Once constructed, asphalt pavements have minimal impact on the environment. Studies show that asphalt pavements and stockpiles of reclaimed asphalt pavement do not leach.
- Asphalt and the processes used to produce asphalt are green.
- Asphalt pavements require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than other pavements.
- Asphalt pavement is America’s most recycled product, with about 70 million tons of asphalt pavement material being reclaimed. And more than 99% of that total is reused or recycled. In 2010 alone, asphalt recycling conserved over 20.5 million barrels of asphalt binder.
- Porous asphalt pavements offer a tool for storm water management with both environmental and economic benefits.
- Warm-mix asphalt reduces fuel consumption, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances the quality of pavement.
- Porous asphalt pavements have been shown to lower nighttime surface temperatures as compared to impervious pavements.
- Asphalt pavements are faster to construct and rehabilitate.
If you have any further questions, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
Environment, Health, and Safety
Asphalt, The Sustainable Pavement
Tags: asphalt, Asphalt and the Environment, asphalt company, asphalt experts, Asphalt Pavement, asphalt recycling, bad for the environment, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, energy to produce and construct, enhances the quality of pavement, Environment, environmental and economic benefits, environmentally sustainable pavement, faster to construct and rehabilitate, Health, impact on the environment, lower nighttime surface temperatures, My Pavement Guy, pavement, pavement material, pavement project, pavement projects, pavements, Porous asphalt pavements, processes used to produce asphalt, production of asphalt pavement material, PTG Enterprises, Reclaimed asphalt pavement, recycled product, reduces fuel consumption, reused, Safety, storm water management, The Sustainable Pavement, total emissions, Warm-mix asphalt
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Perpetual Pavement, Porous Asphalt, Recycled Asphalt, The History of Asphalt Pavement, Warm-Mix Asphalt | Comments Off on Asphalt and the Environment
Friday, February 10th, 2012
Asphalt is the most versatile pavement material, with mixes designed to handle any size load (from passenger cars to heavy trucks), absorb noise, reduce splash and spray during rainstorms, and even to help treat rainwater. The different types of asphalt pavement include:
Warm-Mix Asphalt: This is the generic name of the technology that allows producers of hot-mix asphalt to lower the temperatures at which the material is mixed and placed on the road. This afford asphalt contractors many benefits, including:
• Increasing safety for asphalt workers
• Cutting fuel consumption
• Decreasing the production of greenhouse gases
• Better compaction of pavements
• Extending the paving season
• And the potential to be able to recycle at higher rates
Quiet Pavement: Today’s busy world is filled with more noise than one typically cares to deal with. But quiet pavement actually reduces the noise experienced both inside and outside homes and businesses. Resurfacing a noisy road with stone-matrix asphalt (SMA) or open-graded friction course (OGFC) mix can reduce noise by 3 to 5 dB(A) or more (the same as doubling the distance between you and the noise source).
Porous Asphalt: These pavement surfaces allow rainwater to drain through the asphalt into a stone recharge bed and then into the soil, eliminating potentially harmful standing water.
Perpetual Pavement: This advanced, multi-layer paving design process (along with routine asphalt maintenance) extends the useful life of a roadway.
Whether on the road, in a parking lot, or at an airport, asphalt pavements add up to the best value for your pavement needs, with the lowest life cycle cost and the highest residual value.
If you have any further questions, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
Types of Asphalt Pavement
Tags: absorb noise, advanced, airport, An Overview of the Different Types of Asphalt, asphalt, asphalt contractors, asphalt experts, asphalt pavements, best value, Better compaction of pavements, Cutting fuel consumption, Decreasing the production of greenhouse gases, eliminating potentially harmful standing water, experienced asphalt company, Extending the paving season, extends the useful life of a roadway, help treat rainwater, highest residual value, hot-mix asphalt, Increasing safety for asphalt workers, lowest life cycle cost, mixes, multi-layer paving design process, My Pavement Guy, noise source, OGFC, open-graded friction course, Parking lot, pavement needs, pavement project, pavement projects, pavement surfaces, Perpetual Pavement, porous asphalt, PTG Enterprises, Quiet Pavement:, rainwater, recycle at higher rates, reduce noise, reduce splash and spray during rainstorms, Resurfacing a noisy road, Road, routine asphalt maintenance, SMA, stone recharge bed, stone-matrix asphalt, Types of Asphalt, Types of Asphalt Pavement, versatile pavement material, Warm-mix asphalt
Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement Maintenance, Perpetual Pavement, Porous Asphalt, Quiet Pavement, Recycled Asphalt, The History of Asphalt Pavement, Warm-Mix Asphalt | Comments Off on An Overview of the Different Types of Asphalt
