J and J Enterprises, a Las Vegas paving contractor, applauds the efforts of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) in release of a new position paper of selecting the right pavement type. Created by ATA Economic team, the document, downloadable at www.AsphaltRoads.org, sets out principles that state DOTs and other agencies can use in choosing whether to use asphalt or concrete pavement for a particular roadway. It discusses the Design Guides published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and provides a bibliography of important publications on the subject. The publication also includes a chart summarizing the life cycle cost inputs from various states and a handy checklist for agencies to use.
Some of the factors that influence the paving method selection and outlined in the paper include traffic, soil, weather, construction considerations, recycling, cost comparisons, sustainability, noise, roughness, and safety. In addition, the white paper presents the advantages of asphalt pavement for roads that best meet these criteria. J and J Enterprises is taking the suggestions in consideration for use in its day-to-day Las Vegas paving practice.
“Systems for selecting pavement type should be objective, defensible, understandable, and based on historical records,” said Dave Newcomb, NAPA’s Vice President—Research and Technology, one of the authors of the report. “It’s also important that these processes be driven primarily by economics. The goal is to provide the best value for the taxpayer and the road user—not to support the economic health of a pavement industry. In general, there are no greater investments made by a transportation agency than the construction or reconstruction of pavements. The impacts are great and far-reaching. The importance of these investments makes the selection process worthy of thoughtful analysis.”
J and J Enterprises strives to employ best practices in its Las Vegas paving work. For more information on services and current projects, go to www.jandjasphalt.com.
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