The Impact of Heavy Vehicles on Asphalt Pavement at Industrial Facilities

As an industrial facility, your pavement takes a lot of wear and tear from the constant movement of heavy vehicles such as trucks, trailers, and forklifts. This can lead to significant damage to the asphalt pavement, which can be costly to repair and can even lead to safety hazards for your employees and customers. In this post, we will discuss the impact of heavy vehicles on asphalt pavement at industrial facilities and what you can do to prevent it.

Heavy vehicles can cause a variety of damage to asphalt pavement, including:

Ruts and depressions: Constant movement of heavy vehicles can create ruts and depressions in the pavement, making it difficult for other vehicles to navigate and can even cause them to bottom out. These ruts and depressions can also lead to water accumulation which can cause further damage to the asphalt and make it difficult for the rainwater to flow away.
Cracks and potholes: The weight of heavy vehicles can cause the asphalt to crack and create potholes, which can be a safety hazard for pedestrians and vehicles. These cracks and potholes can also lead to further damage as water can seep into the asphalt and cause erosion, leading to a loss of structural integrity over time.

Erosion: Heavy vehicles can also cause pavement erosion, leading to a loss of the asphalt’s structural integrity over time. Erosion can happen when the top layer of the asphalt is worn down, revealing the sub-layer of the pavement and making it more vulnerable to damage from heavy vehicles and weather.
Preventing Damage to Asphalt Pavement

To prevent damage to your asphalt pavement from heavy vehicles, there are a few things you can do:

Regular maintenance: Regular inspections and maintenance such as sealcoating, patching, and repairs can help keep your pavement in good condition and prevent damage from worsening over time. Sealcoating can protect the pavement’s surface from sun, water, and chemical exposure. Patching and repairs can fix any cracks and potholes that may have formed on the pavement, preventing them from worsening over time.

Proper drainage: Proper drainage is crucial for preventing damage to asphalt pavement from heavy vehicles. Ensure that your pavement is designed with proper drainage in mind and that any drainage issues are addressed as soon as they arise. This can be achieved by installing drainage systems, ensuring that the pavement slows to the side, and installing gutters on the pavement.
Proper signage and traffic flow: Proper signage and traffic flow can help to ensure that heavy vehicles are driving on the pavement as intended and not creating unnecessary wear and tear. This can include using painted lines or markers to direct traffic, ensuring that the pavement is wide enough for the vehicles, and ensuring that there are no obstacles on the pavement.

Working with a Professional Asphalt Paving Company

To ensure that your industrial facility’s pavement is well-maintained and can withstand the constant movement of heavy vehicles, it’s important to work with a professional asphalt paving company. Sosco Paving, Inc is a well-known and reputable company that has been providing quality paving services to industrial facilities for many years. We have the experience, equipment, and expertise necessary to handle all of your facility’s paving needs, including regular maintenance, repairs, and new construction. Our team of experts will thoroughly assess your parking lot and recommend repair and maintenance. We will also develop a customized plan to fit the specific needs of your parking lot.

By following the tips outlined in this post and working with Sosco Paving, Inc, you can be sure that your industrial facility’s pavement is well-maintained and can withstand the constant movement of heavy vehicles. With regular maintenance, proper drainage, and proper signage and traffic flow, you can protect your pavement from damage and ensure that it lasts many years. This can not only save you money on repairs, but it can also prevent safety hazards for your employees and customers.