Department of transportation staff in more than half of the states expect concrete’s share of paving to increase during the next five years. Respondents to a recent PCA market research survey cited lifecycle cost advantages and lower maintenance levels among reasons for the anticipated jump in rigid pavement specs over flexible pavement alternatives
Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.
Department of transportation staff in more than half of the states expect concrete’s share of paving to increase during the next five years. Respondents to a recent PCA market research survey cited life-cycle cost advantages and lower maintenance levels among reasons for the anticipated jump in rigid pavement specs over flexible pavement alternatives.
Fifty-four percent of states considered life-cycle cost an important driver, with 30 percent of survey respondents noting performance on high-traffic routes as the reason for selecting concrete over asphalt pavement. After life-cycle and performance, concrete’s initial cost was an important factor, says PCA Director of Pavements Wayne Adaska. For example, the number of DOTs that consider concrete to have a higher initial cost than asphalt decreased by 22 percent compared to a similar survey conducted in 2005.
The current survey also measures the impact of sustainability or green issues on pavement choice. While the majority of respondents considered sustainability to have only a minor impact on material selection, 50 percent of state DOTs anticipate the influence of sustainable development on pavement material selection to grow within the next five years. Concrete’s durability and recyclability will make it an attractive material when considering sustainability, according to survey respondents.
The survey was completed in 2008 by employees from all 50 state DOTs to gain an understanding of their current opinions, attitudes, insight and direction relative to the use of concrete and cement-based systems in pavement.