National Driver Survey Reveals Need to Focus on Drivability

LANHAM, Md. (May 21, 2014) — Ahead of the summer driving season, a new survey from the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) finds U.S. drivers increasingly frustrated with the state of U.S. roads. The national survey found that drivers prefer well-maintained, safe and smooth roadways; moreover, they understand these qualities require periodic maintenance and financial investment.

The survey of 3,085 drivers and commercial truck drivers comes as Congress faces reauthorization of U.S. transportation and infrastructure funding this fall and a looming revenue shortfall for the Federal Highway Trust Fund this summer.

Specifically, the survey revealed the following driver and commercial trucker roadway preferences:

• 84 percent of drivers and 73 percent of commercial truckers want well-maintained roads without the inconvenience of roadway shutdowns by having maintenance performed during off-peak hours and the road open for rush hour.
• When presented with 14 factors for officials to consider when building a road, 56 percent of drivers selected safety as one of their top three priorities.
• 69 percent of drivers said they are willing to accept periodic maintenance delays if it means they get to enjoy a smooth driving experience. Smooth, well-maintained roads are more comfortable for drivers. They also cause less wear and tear on vehicles, reducing operating costs.
• 86 percent of drivers and 78 percent of commercial truckers feel spending priorities should focus on the maintenance and repair of existing roads, rather than on building new roads.
• A majority, 51 percent of drivers and 52 percent of truckers, support new or additional funding mechanisms to ensure adequate funding for roadway maintenance and construction.

“These results emphasize the need to increase investment in our nation’s aging infrastructure and to put a greater emphasis on ensuring a consistent level of drivability for road users,” said Mike Acott, president of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).

Peter Grass, president of the Asphalt Institute stated, “Asphalt pavements offer the affordability, ease of construction, ease of maintenance and structural longevity necessary to meet public demands for smooth pavements with a high level of drivability.”

Smooth pavements result in lower fuel consumption and reduced wear and tear on vehicles. With long-life Perpetual Pavement designs, asphalt roads can be built with a structure that lasts many decades with only periodic surface renewal and maintenance, making it an ideal choice for drivers, engineers and U.S. roadways.

APA partnered with Edelman Berland to survey 3,085 drivers, including commercial truckers, from eight regions throughout the U.S. For more information, click here.