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The National Research Council of Canada recently completed a study on fuel efficiency of commercial trucks on both asphalt and concrete pavements.  The study demonstrated a statistically significant fuel savings for semi-tractor trailers (18 wheelers) on concrete versus asphalt pavements.  The net result?  Trucks traveling on concrete pavements use between 0.8% to 6.9% less fuel.

 

The National Highway System is the primary system for the delivery of goods by truck in the U.S. Some 80% of U.S. communities can be accessed only by truck for deliveries. The system presently consists of approximately 160,000 lineal miles of pavement, 59% of which has an asphalt surface. If these surfaces were all made of concrete, it would reduce our dependence on foreign oil by increasing truck fuel efficiency ,and decreasing the costs associated with transporting goods.

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Learn how you can help restore safety, efficiency, and common sense to highways and roadway planning and construction.

 

References:

1. Smith, Tim, “Truck Fuel Savings – What Does it Mean for YOU?”, Cement Association of Canada, December 2, 2005.
2. “Federal-Aid Highway Length – 2004 – Miles By Type of Surface”, FHWA, HM31, October 2005. 
3. “Table 1-11 Number of U.S. Aircraft, Vehicles, Vessels, and Other Conveyances”, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, US Department of Transportation, http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_transportation_statistics/2002/html/table_01_11.html