Driving into work this morning, I saw a concrete truck with the slogan “Concrete roads save gas” on the large mixing barrel. I thought to myself, “Huh. Do they?”
According to the Cement Association of Canada, 30% of interstate US highways are made of concrete instead of asphalt. They also note that cement costs less in the long run and that since cement causes “less deflection” than asphalt, there can be a fuel efficiency increase of up to 11%. In addition, concrete tends to hold up well under extreme weather conditions. Of course, this isn’t exactly coming from a neutral third party source. The Asphalt Institute might have some different ideas.
Perhaps the most intriguing benefit of concrete is that it can save your life. When it’s wet, at least.
Posted in Cars
Fyordor Volga April 19, 2007, 9:33 pm
If large vehicle ride over asphalt ruts develop which make it hard to control a car, especially in the rain.