Bad Roads Can Cost You Money
John Simpson | November 18, 2016Nearly one-third of major U.S. urban roadways—highways and major streets that are the main routes for commuters and commerce—are in poor condition, according to research from The Road Improvement Program (TRIP). The nonprofit group evaluates economic and technical data on highway transportation issues.
Road conditions on these critical thoroughfares could deteriorate even further as travel rates increase and local and state governments cannot adequately fund road repairs.
Vehicle travel in the U.S. increased by 15% from 2000 to 2015, and through the first eight months of 2016 increased 3.1% over the same period in 2015, TRIP says. Travel by large commercial trucks in the U.S. increased by 26% from 2000 to 2014 and is expected to increase by approximately 72% from 2015 to 2030, putting greater stress on the nation’s roadways.
Keeping roads in good condition can cut overall pavement lifecycle costs by approximately one-third.While the current five-year federal surface transportation program includes modest funding increases and provides states with greater funding certainty, TRIP says it falls far short of providing the level of funding needed to meet ongoing highway and transit needs.
The net result is that the average U.S. motorist is losing $523 annually—$112 billion nationally—in additional vehicle operating costs as a result of driving on roads in need of repair, according to TRIP. Driving on poor roads increases consumer costs by accelerating vehicle deterioration and depreciation, increasing the frequency of required maintenance and boosting fuel consumption.
TRIP advises transportation agencies to reduce pavement lifecycle costs by using higher-quality paving materials that keep roads structurally sound and smooth for longer periods and by employing a pavement preservation approach that optimizes the timing of repairs to pavement surfaces, noting:
· A properly implemented approach to keeping pavements in good condition can reduce overall pavement lifecycle costs by approximately one-third over a 25-year period.
· Use of thicker pavements and more durable designs—including high-performance concrete and asphalt with a perpetual pavement design—can increase the lifespan of road and highway surfaces and delay the need for significant repairs.