National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA) Road Forward Initiative

Asphalt pavements are widely used for roadways, parking lots, and airport runways in America and globally. Asphalt is the material of choice in North American highway construction projects and is incredibly in demand worldwide. Select the best Pittsburgh Asphalt Paving.

Driven by military needs, asphalt technology advanced rapidly after World War II. Congress passed the State Highway Act of 1956, allocating $51 billion for road construction, which led to more extensive, superior paving equipment being manufactured and utilized by road crews.

What is an EPD?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a transparent report that details the environmental impact of products in a similar fashion to ingredient lists for food items. EPDs are developed using data gleaned from life cycle assessments conducted on each product category and verified by an independent third party to ensure compliance with ISO 14025 and its Programme Category Rules (PCRs).

There are two main categories of EPDs: product-specific and industry-average. Product-specific EPDs are created by individual manufacturers with assistance from LCA consultants; industry associations collect data from multiple representative samples within their sector or product type (for instance, insulation materials, construction timber, or tiles/bricks).

EPDs can be developed using various system boundaries: from cradle to gate or grave, with add-ons, or by considering both. Most of the information for an EPD comes from its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

EPDs are widely utilized within the building and construction sectors but can also be applied to product sustainability certifications and credits. An EPD is an official, third-party verified document accepted by major green building standards such as BREEAM and LEED for use during public procurement processes; furthermore, it works seamlessly alongside market-based schemes like ReCycle in Germany.
What is the Road Forward initiative?

The Road Forward initiative represents NAPA’s industry-wide goal to develop net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements. NAPA members demonstrate leadership in climate stewardship by supporting this vital research and education effort, with Peckham Industries and Cargill Asphalt Solutions serving as inaugural funding partners; additionally, Summit Materials, Ajax Paving, Astec Industries, Earthwave Technologies Kraton Corporation Allied Construction Products Ingevity are supporting this crucial effort to advance our industry.

America covers over 3 trillion miles annually on roadways covered with asphalt pavement, of which 94% is surfaced with this material. The asphalt industry strives to ensure highway infrastructure remains durable, quiet, safe, and cost-effective – thus engaging with state highway agencies and the Federal Highway Administration on practical research that leads to concrete results quickly.

Legacy Infrastructure Group is an innovative and sustainable business that invests in companies that share its core values of entrepreneurship, ownership, and community. One such investment includes the Superior Bowen Asphalt Plant in Houston – one of the first asphalt plants dedicated to recycling asphalt while simultaneously improving pavement preservation efforts. Lowering emissions while optimizing recycled material use is also high on their founders’ and CEO Jay Lemon’s agenda as members of NAPA’s Climate Stewardship Task Force.

What is the Road Forward action plan?

The asphalt industry has committed to consistently improving asphalt pavements for today and tomorrow, which it does through research and technology development, engineering solutions, workforce training programs, innovative construction techniques, and continuous improvements in efficiency and sustainability.

Asphalt provides many environmental advantages; in addition, well-kept roads also bring many other benefits:

Enhance Safety: A smooth surface reduces friction and enhances vehicle performance, enabling vehicles to travel more quickly and smoothly while cutting travel time and fuel consumption; additionally, it may reduce crashes or injuries.

Pavement roads require less frequent replacement due to erosion, potholes, or ruts; in fact, when properly maintained, they can last 18 years without needing replacement!

Environment: Asphalt mix production emissions make up only 0.3 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 2019. The asphalt industry has pledged its support towards lowering these emissions and meeting its goal of creating net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

Enterprise Holdings will pledge $35 million over five years for its ROAD Forward initiative. Through this local grant program, employees at each of its 70+ global operating teams are empowered to identify social and racial equity issues in their communities and partner with organizations capable of providing solutions.

What is Road Forward?

Asphalt Is Right for America Now and into the Future
Our roads connect people to places, making livable communities possible while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs that contribute to local economies and our nation’s GDP. Asphalt industry companies strive to make our roadways better and more durable today and tomorrow, and asphalt innovations help keep this trend going strong.

Asphalt pavements offer smoother, quieter, safer, and more economical driving surfaces than dirt roads, while their minimal maintenance requirements reduce fuel consumption and traffic congestion. Pavement also improves aesthetics while offering accessibility for disabled motorists.

The Road Forward initiative is an industry-wide effort designed to move the asphalt pavement industry’s goals of net zero carbon emissions forward. Led by NAPA (which represents most of the North American asphalt industry), including Asphalt Institute producer members and State Asphalt Pavement Associations (SAPAs). Their objective is to use scientific targets and a continuous improvement process towards reaching net zero emissions.

NAPA members are working to address climate change through the Road Forward initiative and by meeting customers’ needs. Beyond developing and implementing their sustainability frameworks, these members have demonstrated commitment to workforce training, research and development, engineering innovation, and environmental stewardship throughout their facilities and operations.