How Technology Has Changed the Way We Pave

Like many other aspects of our lives, technology has improved and changed how we perform our professional pavement services. New techniques are commonly implemented that make our asphalt pavement surfaces more efficient, sustainable, and effective. Not only does the latest technology improve how we offer pavement services, but it also makes the pavement stronger while offering a more affordable surface for our clients. Here are some ways we have implemented modern technology into our pavement services and how that benefits you as a customer.

As the first stage of any professional pavement services project, the site preparation process is perhaps the most critical. Previously, contractors used a plumb bob to look through a transit. The purpose of the transit, which is also known as a site glass, is to establish the grade of the project. Though effective for the time, this technique left room for user error and could have been more precise. Today, contractors use laser-guided grading equipment and 3D modeling to determine the grade. Using the information gathered from the laser and 3D equipment, we put together a plan for pavement, materials, and resources. This use of new equipment results in a much more precise project.

Instead of relying on the time-consuming task of using a road saw and a diamond blade to remove old asphalt, today’s modern machines use hydraulic technology and milling machines with advanced sensors for pavement services. These advanced sensors make asphalt removal easy and precise, controlling the exact depth of cut during the removal process to minimize the risk of harming the subgrade. Not only does this help our paving company complete the job faster, but it also helps save our customers money by lowering the project’s cost. Though this may seem like a simple innovation, this new process helps improve the paving project’s quality.

Though a project’s success relies on several factors, grading and slope control may be the most significant. In the past, manual graders and compactors were used during grading. Today’s technology improves this process substantially by incorporating automatic grading settings that control the slope to improve drainage. Instead of manually creating a grading grid that could be prone to human error, an automatic grader blade follows precise percentages to create a surface with correct grading and drainage. Ensuring that each surface has the proper drainage means the paving surface will not be compromised by standing water and will last longer.

Before pavement can be laid, the sub-base must undergo testing to determine if it will be a proper base for the pavement laid on top. It’s critical to have a sub-base that can correctly direct water away from the pavement’s surface with the help of underground drainage. In the past, no testing was performed on the sub-base materials. As one can imagine, this left much room for error in paving techniques, and paving surfaces lasted only a short time. Today’s sub-base evaluation is performed with the help of nuclear density testing, which provides accurate and efficient information about the load-bearing capacity of the sub-base. It also provides more information about the behavior of the sub-base, which helps a paving company construct a paving surface with a more accurate design.

After the pavement is laid, it must be adequately compacted, or the paving surface can be compromised. In the past, conventional compaction machines were used, with the risk of inadequate or non-uniform densities and casing pavement failure. Many paving companies like Morgan Pavement use intelligent compaction to compress road materials using vibratory rollers. These rollers have an integrated measurement system with an onboard computer reporting system that gives the user feedback control and real-time compaction monitoring. Intelligent compaction machines also commonly use Global Positioning System-based mapping for more precise work. Like many other paving professional pavement services offering improved technologies, this results in a stronger paving surface with a more affordable price for our customers.

When a small section of payment needs to be repaired, paving companies use a technique called undercutting repair. This is the process of cutting into the pavement, removing the damaged paving surface and sub-base, then refilling the area to match the level of the surrounding pavement. Undercutting repair was done manually in the past and often included much manual labor. These days, undercutting repairs are performed with the help of a geo-grid that allows us only to dig a few inches below the surface to complete the repairs. This geo-grid provides a bridge to the sub-base without the extra cost of refilling a large hole with sub-base. With the help of technology, it’s done quickly and efficiently while improving the structural integrity of the paving surface.

Preventative maintenance is critical for asphalt pavement. Like many other aspects of pavement services, this has improved with technology. Instead of installing asphalt pavement followed by sealcoating and crack filling when necessary, paving companies encourage customers to establish a preventative maintenance schedule that helps extend the paving surface’s life. Creating a maintenance schedule helps to save on the cost of extensive repair down the road, but it also allows the customer to enjoy a smooth paving surface for a more extended period of time. Many standard asphalt maintenance schedules focus on a three-year alternating cycle of resealing, crack sealing, and performing any repairs before they become more significant problems.

Using the latest pavement technology, Morgan Pavement proudly offers the highest-quality professional pavement services in Utah and Intermountain West. Whether you need residential asphalt paving or repair, we can complete your project efficiently and correctly while staying within your budget. If you’re looking for a concrete service provider, we do that, too. Morgan Pavement is your top contractor for both asphalt and concrete pavement technology, resulting in a long-lasting pavement surface for you. For a free bid on your project, contact us today.