Asphalt is the most commonly used material for building roads and pavements. But despite its ubiquity, there are still a lot of things that people don’t know about this material. Listed below are some intriguing trivia about asphalt.
1. Asphalt has been in use for centuries
You might think that asphalt is a 20th-century invention, but it’s actually been in use since the time of ancient Egyptians. Instead of using it to pave roads, though, they used asphalt in the mummification process of their dead.
2. Asphalt is quiet
When you think of roads, the last thing that might pop in your mind is that they’re noise-generating structures. That’s because we often call motor vehicles as the culprit in noise pollution. However, the truth is that the type of material used in building a road has an effect on the level of noise created by passing cars.
And what experts discovered is that asphalt is the quietest. Ordinary asphalt is capable of minimizing the noise coming from a car’s tires hitting the pavement, which is helpful in reducing noise pollution. In addition to that, scientists are creating a “quiet asphalt” that can further reduce noise caused by a car’s tires by around seven decibels.
3. Asphalt is recyclable
Another great thing about asphalt is that you can reuse it several times, making it a very economical and eco-friendly material. No matter how many times you’ve used it to pave your road, it can still work as well as before.
4. Asphalt is an easy fix
This is why most roads in the world are made from this material. For example, if a portion of a road on Main Street in Salt Lake City has a crack, experts in asphalt repair services can simply fill it up with a liquid filling compound and let it dry. After a few hours, that road is good to use once more.
5. Asphalt can last a long time
Asphalt is good for high-traffic roads because it takes a long time to break down. Asphalt roads can last up to 35 years provided that they’re well-maintained or even better, seal-coated every three to four years. This means that renovations and replacements are minimal, making asphalt one of the most economical materials for building roads.
6. Asphalt is safe
Finally, asphalt is one of the safest road materials in the world. That’s because its surface is capable of reducing slippage even when the road is wet. Asphalt provides better traction for tires because its smooth surface enables the tires to have better contact with the road, preventing skidding.
Also, the dark color of asphalt helps prevent sunlight glares that could distract motorists. In addition to that, motorists can see lane markings much better on asphalt than on other materials. Asphalt can melt ice faster too, which means roads are safe to drive on during wintertime.
Asphalt has many benefits that make it one of the most commonly used materials for pavements and streets. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if 100 years from now, people will still be using this material in building roads.
