Description

This technical report provides an exhaustive evaluation of the economic, structural, and environmental benefits of proactive asphalt pavement preservation strategies across highway networks in the United States. Pavement preservation emphasizes applying the right treatment to the right road at the right time—treating pavements while they are still in good condition to extend service life and delay costly structural rehabilitation. The document synthesizes long-term performance data from state departments of transportation (DOTs) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) test sites, evaluating treatments such as chip seals, micro-surfacing, slurry seals, fog seals, thin asphalt overlays, and crack sealing. Using lifecycle cost analysis (LCCA), the report proves that every dollar invested in timely preservation yields four to ten dollars in deferred reconstruction savings. In addition to direct agency cost reductions, the study quantifies user benefits, including sustained low surface roughness (which lowers vehicle fuel consumption and tire wear) and minimized traffic disruption compared to major reconstruction projects. The report also highlights sustainability advantages, showing that preservation treatments consume significantly less raw aggregate, asphalt binder, and embodied energy, resulting in lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Technical guidelines are included for selecting appropriate preservation treatments based on existing pavement distress, traffic volume, and environmental conditions.