Your local park may be missing a walkway. It may feature an expanse of green and some recreational activities with few areas for people to just walk. If you’re a city planner who has decided to remedy that lack with long walkways, consider how asphalt could be a beneficial material for those paths.
1. Asphalt is Durable
When city officials plan out a new project, they naturally want the end result to last. An asphalt walkway is an example of a project that will last because the material has good durability when designed and installed properly.
A few factors affect the durability of asphalt. One is the level of compaction. The pavers need to compact the walkway so it has between three to seven percent in air voids. The pavers must also choose a good mix of binder and aggregates for the asphalt mixture itself. Finally, moisture can degrade the binder, so the planners need to build in good drainage so the asphalt walkway lasts.
2. Asphalt is Relatively Easy to Fix
City planners will want a walkway that’s easy to fix if it does develop some problems. They’ll also want the repairs to be as smooth as possible so they don’t disrupt park-goers.
Asphalt has become known as the perpetual pavement because pavers can continually repair structures made out of asphalt. They have several techniques at their disposal. For instance, as durable as an asphalt walkway is, the surface can develop cracks. If the cracks are small, pavers can simply seal them.
If the walkway develops a deeper rut or hole, the pavers may need to excavate around the area and provide a patch. Both crack seals and patches are precursors to seal coating. Essentially, the pavers can go back and replace the entire top surface. Luckily, these jobs are relatively fast, so park patrons wouldn’t receive much disruption in their enjoyment.
3. Asphalt is Environmentally Friendly
City officials know no walkway can last forever. When the time comes to recycle your old walkways, you want a material that is eco-friendly. Asphalt hits that mark. Indeed, asphalt is the most recycled product in the United States, with over 100 million tons of asphalt pavement recycled a year.
When it’s time to break up an old road or pathway, paving contractors don’t just dump the old material into a landfill. In fact, they use the old asphalt as aggregate for new projects. What’s more, pavers use post-consumer waste such as used tires and shingles to make new asphalt.
4. Asphalt is Customizable
City officials usually like to have some creative license when they plan a project such as a park walkway. Well, asphalt is a more customizable material than many people realize. For one, the pavers pour asphalt. Therefore, they can construct a meandering path through the park without any difficulty from the material.
Likewise, the contractors can include additives in the mix that transform the color of the asphalt. The resultant color can be subtle or bold. Therefore, the planners can distinguish different parts of the walkway, say to direct park patrons or just add visual interest.
Finally, the contractors can also stamp the asphalt. So, the surface can look like another material — an illusion that’s enhanced by coloring the asphalt — or can simply display a pleasant pattern. With these customization options, planners can fulfill their vision.
5. Asphalt is Cost-Effective
Sometimes, city planners have to focus especially on their budget. Asphalt is a cost-effective material for walkways. It’s relatively easy to install, so the city doesn’t have as much up-front cost to put the walkway in.
Likewise, asphalt doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. As noted, the surface is also easy to fix, and the walkways won’t need replacement anytime soon after installation. Therefore, an asphalt walkway will save the city money in the long run, too.
If you’re on a park planning committee, consider asphalt for the walkway. Call JR Paving & Construction Co., Inc., for more information.
