What is resilience? The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) defines it as the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions, as well as to withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from disruptions.
Asphalt pavements can be designed for changing climate conditions. Asphalt paving materials are used to rapidly repair roads damaged by natural disasters. Together, the design and application of asphalt pavements contribute to the resilience of surface transportation networks throughout the United States.
This growing library on the resilient aspects of asphalt pavements includes data and resources collected from NAPA, SAPAs, NCAT, and others. Members are encouraged to explore and implement these resources, particularly in the context of increased focus on resilience in proposed highway legislation, procurement, and funding.
Sustainability and Resilience
Sustainability and resilience are concepts that are increasingly at the forefront of the planning, design, construction, and management of transportation infrastructure in general and pavements in particular. The two terms are often used interchangeably, yet they are distinctly different concepts.
Resilience of Perpetual Pavements
Perpetual pavements are well known for sustainability benefits, but did you know that they also provide substantial benefits with respect to resilience?
Climate Adaptable Materials for Resilient Infrastructure
Climate change is increasingly becoming a primary concern in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. New approaches, techniques, and tools are needed to address the challenges posed by climate change to increase the resilience of our infrastructure to both gradual changes and extreme events.
Asphalt – The Resilient Pavement of Choice
Asphalt pavements are strong and flexible so they can adapt to changing conditions and their speed of construction means that in the event of a natural disaster, the road can be repaired quickly so communities remain connected. (July 2021)
Watch & Share the VideoAsphalt Pavement: A Critically Important Aspect of Infrastructure Resiliency
This report provides insight to the asphalt community through a literature review, summary of the findings from the 2019 Asphalt Resiliency Workshop hosted by the National Center for Asphalt Technology, two comprehensive case studies, and conclusions and recommendations. (July 2021)
Download NCAT Report 210-02Resilient Asphalt Pavements: Industry Solutions for the Resilience Goal
This report provides an overview of what resilience means in the context of asphalt pavements. It highlights the available technologies and practices that can be leveraged as tools to enhance the resilience of asphalt pavements and overall transportation networks. A case study of emergency repairs to interstate highways that were damaged by severe flooding in Iowa during 2019 showcases the resilient aspects of asphalt pavements. (April 2021)
Download the Free ReportResilience Case Studies
Resilient asphalt roads help communities prepare, adapt, withstand, and recover from climate-related events impacting surface transportation. The Asphalt Pavement Alliance's Climate Resource Center includes one-page case studies featuring real-life scenarios that demonstrate why asphalt is the pavement of choice for resilience.
Read the Case StudiesAsphalt Pavement Resilience, Part 1: Introduction to Pavement Resilience
This recorded webinar will help you understand the resilient aspects of asphalt pavements; identify the tools available to incorporate resilience into asphalt pavement design, construction, and maintenance; and explore the Federal Highway Administration’s approach to pavement resilience. (January 2021)
Watch the WebinarAsphalt Pavement Resilience, Part 2: Pavement Resilience in Practice
This webinar uses examples from recent storms, floods, and earthquakes to teach owners and agencies how to prepare for post-natural disaster needs and how to create a more resilient transportation network. (February 2021)
Watch the WebinarBuilding Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
This Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program will provide $1 billion in grants to state and local governments for resilience projects. Agencies need to apply for funding for specific projects through a competitive grant program. (June 2021)
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