Skip to main content

Recycled pavement use rises again in the US, according to NAPA

The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement in the United States increased during 2013 after two years of no rise, according the latest report from the US National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA). The report found that more than 73 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement and 1.7 million tons of reclaimed asphalt roofing shingles were used in new asphalt pavement mixes in the United States during in 2013. Using recycled asphalt material saved about $2 billion in 2013 over the use of virgin materials,
January 16, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement in the United States increased during 2013 after two years of no rise, according the latest report from the US 3464 National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).

The report found that more than 73 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement and 1.7 million tons of reclaimed asphalt roofing shingles were used in new asphalt pavement mixes in the United States during in 2013.

Using recycled asphalt material saved about $2 billion in 2013 over the use of virgin materials, the report noted.

The use of recycled material is one of several topics to be discussed at a major Conference on road asset maintenance in Paris, the Pavement Preservation and Recycling Summit from, February 22-25.

The NAPA/FHWA report said that the number of tons of asphalt pavement mixtures produced using recycled and reclaimed materials was predominately flat from 2012 to 2013. This is despite a 2.5% drop in total tons of asphalt produced during 2013 compared to 2012.

However, the percentage of tons produced using these materials was slightly greater in 2013 than 2012.

The survey was conducted in mid-2014 by NAPA under contract to the 2410 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The report was compiled using results from 249 companies with 1,281 plants in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Also used was information from asphalt pavement associations in 38 states.

A full copy of the NAPA/FHWA report can be downloaded from %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal here Download the form false http://www.asphaltpavement.org/recycling false false%>.

The issue of saving money but at the same time maintaining road assets is one of the most important discussions globally, especially during these austere times where governments at all levels are seeing budget drastically reduced. But road must be maintained or the wider economy will suffer.

“Insufficient maintenance has created a backlog and is affecting service levels,” said Jean-Francois Corte, secretary general of the World Road Association (3141 PIARC), based in Paris.

“What’s needed right now is at least a medium-term vision to embrace the right type of maintenance, a strong strategy. Because there has been insufficient maintenance, road networks are degrading faster. Many highways authorities don’t have this medium- or long-term approach to highway maintenance because they are bound by their government’s annual budgets.”

Attendees to the Pavement Preservation and Recycling Summit in Paris next month will learn how, during these austere times, to put the business case forward to ensure more investment is there when and where it is needed.

Speakers will include Bud Wright, executive director of the 3510 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and William Finerty, a vice-president of 178 Caterpillar.

To find out more about the three-day PPRS 2015 event and register, please visit the official 7924 PPRS 2015 website.

A recent publication by PIARC, called The Importance of Road Maintenance, is available as a free download from %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal here Visit PIARC website false http://www.piarc.org/en/publications/technical-reports/ false false%>.

Related Content

  • Fayat mixes things up at INTERMAT
    January 6, 2017
    Company shows off its new 6-tonne capacity asphalt mixer in Paris, a product aimed at the growing market in recycling and characterised by low energy consumption and high quality output.
  • Fayat mixes things up at INTERMAT
    April 20, 2015
    Company shows off its new 6-tonne capacity asphalt mixer in Paris, a product aimed at the growing market in recycling and characterised by low energy consumption and high quality output.
  • World of Asphalt 2019
    December 12, 2018
    Tomorrow is your last chance to save 35% when you register for World of Asphalt 2019! Register now to attend the asphalt industry’s largest trade show and educational conference on February 12-14, 2019. Find solutions from 450 Exhibitors who will display their newest products and innovations. There’s no better place to train your team than World of Asphalt. With over 120 sessions to choose from, your whole team will leave with the right tools to grow.
  • IRF Examiner launched as industry resource to boost efficiency
    May 19, 2014
    Volume 1 highlights life-saving role of new methods and proven technologies around the world Since the IRF’s establishment in 1948, knowledge transfer has been the core of what the IRF does best. As industry tools and procedures evolve to meet societies’ needs, the availability of global knowledge resources is now more important than ever.