9+ Best American Asphalt Calculator Tools (2024)


9+ Best American Asphalt Calculator Tools (2024)

A digital software designed for america market helps estimate asphalt pavement venture prices by contemplating elements like space, thickness, materials sort, and native pricing. As an illustration, such a software may enable customers to enter the size of a driveway and select between totally different asphalt mixes to generate a value estimate. This could embody not solely materials prices, but additionally potential labor and tools bills.

Correct venture budgeting is essential within the building business. These instruments present beneficial assist for contractors, companies, and even owners planning paving tasks. By providing preliminary value estimations, they facilitate knowledgeable decision-making, permitting customers to match choices and probably keep away from unexpected bills. Traditionally, such calculations had been carried out manually, a time-consuming and probably error-prone course of. Digital options streamline this course of, rising effectivity and accuracy.

This dialogue will additional discover key facets of asphalt pavement venture estimation, together with materials choice, native pricing variations, and the function of specialised options in these digital instruments.

1. Venture Measurement Estimation

Correct venture dimension estimation varieties the inspiration of dependable asphalt venture budgeting. Inside the context of an American asphalt calculator, defining the scope of the venture immediately influences materials amount, labor necessities, and finally, whole value. A exact understanding of venture dimensions is essential for producing lifelike estimates.

  • Space Calculation

    Figuring out the floor space to be paved is step one. This includes exact measurements of size and width, accounting for irregular shapes. For instance, a easy rectangular driveway requires easy multiplication, whereas a curved pathway necessitates extra complicated calculations. Correct space calculation ensures the right amount of asphalt is estimated, stopping materials shortages or extra.

  • Depth Willpower

    Asphalt pavement thickness, typically expressed in inches, immediately impacts materials quantity. Totally different purposes demand various thicknessesa closely trafficked roadway requires a thicker layer than a residential driveway. An American asphalt calculator incorporates depth into its calculations, making certain the volumetric estimate aligns with the venture’s particular wants.

  • Form Consideration

    Venture form complexity influences each materials amount and labor. A easy sq. parking zone requires much less materials and labor than a winding pathway with a number of curves. This complexity impacts the general venture timeline and finances. Superior calculators can accommodate numerous shapes, offering extra correct estimates for intricate tasks.

  • Subgrade Analysis

    The situation of the underlying floor, or subgrade, impacts the quantity of preparation required. A secure, well-compacted subgrade minimizes the necessity for added base materials. Conversely, a poorly ready subgrade could necessitate substantial groundwork, including to the tasks value and timeline. Whereas not all the time immediately calculated inside the calculator, subgrade evaluation informs total venture scope and must be thought of when decoding the outcomes.

These sides of venture dimension estimation exhibit the interconnectedness of assorted elements influencing the ultimate calculation. Correct enter inside an American asphalt calculator, reflecting lifelike venture dimensions and situations, is crucial for producing dependable value estimates. Understanding these parts allows customers to leverage the complete potential of those instruments and make well-informed choices primarily based on correct knowledge.

2. Materials Kind Choice

Materials sort choice considerably impacts asphalt venture value and efficiency. An American asphalt calculator facilitates knowledgeable decision-making by incorporating numerous combine designs and their related prices. Totally different asphalt mixes provide various properties, impacting sturdiness, efficiency, and total venture bills. Understanding the traits of every materials sort empowers customers to pick out the optimum combine for his or her particular wants and finances.

As an illustration, a dense-graded combine, ultimate for high-traffic areas, sometimes prices greater than a much less dense combine appropriate for residential driveways. Equally, mixes designed for particular climates, equivalent to these with elevated resistance to excessive temperatures, could command a premium. A strong calculator permits customers to match these choices, balancing efficiency necessities with budgetary constraints. The power to regulate materials sort inside the calculator gives beneficial insights into value implications, enabling data-driven decision-making. Think about a venture requiring a porous asphalt combine for enhanced water drainage. The calculator can mirror the upper value of this specialised materials in comparison with a normal combine, permitting for correct budgeting.

Efficient materials choice optimizes venture outcomes and ensures long-term worth. Integrating materials selections inside an American asphalt calculator empowers customers to navigate the complexities of asphalt combine designs, balancing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and venture necessities. This understanding aids in correct budgeting and knowledgeable decision-making, resulting in profitable venture completion inside allotted sources.

3. Thickness Calculations

Thickness calculations play a vital function inside American asphalt calculators, immediately influencing materials quantity and total venture value. Asphalt pavement thickness, sometimes measured in inches, dictates the quantity of fabric required for a given space. This calculation, a core perform of those calculators, ensures correct materials estimation, stopping potential shortages or pricey overages. A thicker pavement, mandatory for heavy-duty purposes like highways or industrial parking tons, requires considerably extra materials than a thinner floor appropriate for residential driveways. Due to this fact, correct thickness enter is paramount for producing lifelike value projections.

Think about a parking zone venture. A two-inch asphalt layer would require half the fabric in comparison with a four-inch layer for a similar floor space. This distinction considerably impacts materials prices, highlighting the sensible significance of exact thickness calculations. An American asphalt calculator automates this calculation, enabling customers to shortly assess the associated fee implications of various thicknesses. This performance facilitates knowledgeable decision-making, balancing structural necessities with budgetary constraints. As an illustration, a home-owner contemplating a driveway may discover totally different thickness choices inside the calculator, weighing value towards sturdiness and longevity.

Correct thickness dedication is integral to profitable asphalt venture budgeting. By automating this essential calculation, American asphalt calculators empower customers to make knowledgeable choices primarily based on exact materials estimations. This performance streamlines the planning course of, optimizes useful resource allocation, and finally contributes to profitable venture completion inside finances. Understanding the direct relationship between thickness and materials quantity allows efficient use of those instruments, making certain cost-effective and structurally sound asphalt pavements.

4. Native Worth Changes

Native worth changes signify a essential part inside American asphalt calculators, reflecting the regional variability of fabric and labor prices. Asphalt pricing fluctuates primarily based on elements equivalent to uncooked materials availability, transportation bills, native demand, and regional financial situations. An efficient calculator accommodates these variations, making certain correct value estimations particular to the venture location. Failing to account for native worth variations can result in important discrepancies between estimated and precise venture bills. For instance, asphalt costs in a metropolitan space with excessive demand and transportation prices will possible exceed these in a rural area with available sources. This underscores the significance of native worth changes inside the calculator.

Think about a situation involving two similar driveway tasks, one situated in a densely populated metropolis and the opposite in a sparsely populated rural city. Materials transportation prices to the city venture will possible be greater because of elevated distances and visitors congestion. Equally, labor prices may differ primarily based on native wage charges and union influences. An American asphalt calculator incorporating native worth changes displays these variations, offering extra correct estimates for every venture. This performance allows contractors and owners to make knowledgeable choices primarily based on lifelike value projections particular to their geographical space. With out this adjustment, venture budgets could show insufficient, resulting in potential value overruns or venture delays.

Correct value estimation hinges on incorporating regional worth variations. Native worth changes inside American asphalt calculators present important performance for producing dependable venture budgets. This characteristic empowers customers to make knowledgeable choices primarily based on lifelike value projections, accounting for the geographical nuances of fabric and labor bills. Understanding the affect of native worth fluctuations allows efficient use of those calculators, contributing to profitable venture planning and execution.

5. Waste Issue Inclusion

Correct materials estimation is essential for asphalt venture budgeting, and waste issue inclusion performs an important function inside American asphalt calculators. Asphalt tasks inevitably generate waste because of elements like dealing with, reducing, compaction, and unexpected web site situations. Neglecting this waste throughout calculations results in underestimations, probably inflicting materials shortages and venture delays. A dependable calculator incorporates a waste issue, making certain adequate materials is ordered to cowl anticipated losses.

  • Materials Dealing with Losses

    Transferring and dealing with asphalt generates waste. Materials spills throughout switch, segregation throughout transport, and trimming throughout placement contribute to those losses. A typical waste issue accounts for such dealing with losses, making certain adequate materials is obtainable regardless of these inevitable reductions. As an illustration, a venture involving complicated shapes or difficult terrain could require the next waste issue in comparison with an easy, rectangular paving space.

  • Chopping and Compaction Waste

    Chopping asphalt to suit particular shapes and compacting it to attain the specified density generates further waste. Edge trimming, becoming round obstacles, and reaching uniform compaction all contribute to materials loss. The waste issue inside the calculator compensates for these elements, making certain sufficient materials is available for full venture protection. A venture involving intricate designs or demanding compaction requirements could necessitate the next waste issue to account for elevated reducing and compaction losses.

  • Unexpected Website Situations

    Surprising web site situations, equivalent to uneven floor, hidden obstacles, or inclement climate, can additional contribute to materials waste. A correctly calculated waste issue gives a buffer towards such unexpected circumstances, minimizing the chance of fabric shortages and venture disruptions. As an illustration, discovering sudden underground utilities throughout excavation may necessitate further asphalt, highlighting the sensible worth of a built-in waste issue.

  • Waste Issue Share

    American asphalt calculators sometimes incorporate a waste issue expressed as a share of the entire estimated materials. This share varies primarily based on venture complexity, web site situations, and materials sort. A easy venture may make the most of a decrease waste issue (e.g., 5%), whereas a extra complicated venture may require the next share (e.g., 10%). The calculator robotically adjusts the fabric amount primarily based on the chosen waste issue, making certain correct estimations. This enables for environment friendly useful resource administration and minimizes the chance of value overruns because of materials shortages.

By precisely accounting for waste, American asphalt calculators present lifelike materials estimations and contribute to efficient venture budgeting. The waste issue, although seemingly minor, performs a big function in making certain adequate materials availability and stopping pricey venture disruptions. Understanding the assorted elements contributing to waste and the function of the waste issue share inside the calculator empowers customers to make knowledgeable choices and obtain profitable venture outcomes.

6. Supply Price Integration

Supply value integration inside an American asphalt calculator considerably enhances accuracy and practicality. Asphalt, a cumbersome materials, requires specialised transportation, and supply bills signify a considerable portion of total venture value. Integrating these prices immediately into the calculator gives customers with a extra complete and lifelike finances estimate, facilitating knowledgeable decision-making.

  • Distance-Based mostly Pricing

    Supply prices sometimes correlate with distance traveled. Hauling asphalt over longer distances incurs larger gasoline consumption and transportation time, immediately impacting bills. Calculators incorporating distance-based pricing present extra correct estimates by factoring within the venture’s proximity to the asphalt plant or provide supply. As an illustration, a venture situated farther from the availability level will incur greater supply expenses in comparison with a venture nearer to the supply, an element precisely mirrored inside the calculator.

  • Quantity-Based mostly Pricing

    Supply prices additionally rely on the quantity of fabric transported. Bigger tasks requiring larger asphalt portions necessitate extra journeys or bigger vehicles, influencing total supply bills. Calculators integrating volume-based pricing mirror these variations, making certain correct value estimations primarily based on the venture’s materials necessities. A big-scale freeway venture, for instance, will incur totally different supply expenses in comparison with a small residential driveway as a result of important distinction in materials quantity.

  • Gasoline Surcharge Fluctuations

    Gasoline worth volatility considerably impacts supply prices. Fluctuating gasoline costs immediately have an effect on transportation bills, making it essential for calculators to accommodate these variations. Dynamic gasoline surcharge integration inside the calculator ensures estimates stay present and mirror real-time gasoline market situations. This prevents underestimations in periods of excessive gasoline costs, defending venture budgets from unexpected value will increase.

  • Accessibility Issues

    Website accessibility influences supply prices. Tough-to-reach places requiring specialised tools or maneuvering incur further bills. Calculators incorporating accessibility elements present extra correct estimates by accounting for site-specific supply challenges. A venture situated in a congested city space or requiring off-road supply could incur greater expenses in comparison with a readily accessible suburban web site.

By integrating supply prices, American asphalt calculators provide a extra full and sensible budgeting software. This enhanced accuracy empowers customers to make knowledgeable choices primarily based on lifelike value projections, accounting for the often-substantial bills related to asphalt transportation. The power to consider distance, quantity, gasoline surcharges, and accessibility ensures venture budgets mirror the true value of fabric supply, contributing to profitable venture planning and execution.

7. Labor Price Estimation

Labor value estimation represents a vital side of asphalt venture budgeting, and its integration inside American asphalt calculators considerably enhances accuracy and practicality. Precisely forecasting labor bills is crucial for creating lifelike venture budgets and stopping potential value overruns. These calculators take into account elements influencing labor prices, offering customers with complete value projections.

  • Crew Measurement and Composition

    The scale and composition of the paving crew immediately affect labor prices. Bigger crews, whereas probably accelerating venture completion, incur greater labor bills. Crew composition, contemplating the ability ranges and roles of every member, additional influences value. A crew with extremely specialised members, equivalent to tools operators or skilled pavers, instructions greater wages than a crew primarily composed of normal laborers. Calculators typically incorporate crew dimension and composition choices, permitting customers to regulate these parameters and observe their affect on total labor value estimations. For instance, choosing a smaller, much less specialised crew may cut back labor prices however probably prolong the venture timeline, a trade-off the calculator may also help quantify.

  • Venture Period and Complexity

    Venture period and complexity considerably affect labor prices. Longer tasks require extra labor hours, immediately rising bills. Complicated tasks, involving intricate designs or difficult web site situations, demand greater ability ranges and probably specialised tools, additional impacting labor prices. A calculator incorporating these elements permits customers to evaluate the associated fee implications of venture scope and complexity. As an illustration, a winding pathway with a number of curves will possible require extra labor hours and specialised abilities in comparison with a easy, rectangular driveway, a distinction mirrored within the calculator’s estimations.

  • Native Wage Charges

    Native wage charges considerably have an effect on labor prices. Wage variations throughout geographical areas, influenced by elements like value of residing, unionization, and native market demand, immediately affect venture bills. Calculators incorporating regional wage knowledge present extra correct labor value estimations particular to the venture location. A venture in a high-wage metropolitan space will naturally incur greater labor prices in comparison with the same venture in a lower-wage rural area. This regional variation is essential for correct budgeting and knowledgeable decision-making.

  • Tools Operation Prices

    Whereas not strictly labor, tools operation prices are carefully associated and infrequently factored into labor estimations. Working heavy equipment like pavers, rollers, and excavators includes gasoline, upkeep, and potential operator certification prices. Calculators typically combine these bills, offering a extra holistic view of labor-related prices. As an illustration, a venture requiring in depth excavation will incur greater tools operation prices in comparison with a venture requiring minimal floor preparation. Integrating these bills inside the labor value estimation gives a extra complete finances projection.

Correct labor value estimation is key to profitable asphalt venture budgeting. American asphalt calculators, by integrating elements influencing labor bills, present beneficial instruments for creating lifelike value projections. Understanding the interaction of crew dimension, venture complexity, native wage charges, and tools operation prices empowers customers to make knowledgeable choices, optimizing useful resource allocation and making certain venture completion inside finances.

8. Tools Price Consideration

Tools value consideration varieties an integral a part of correct asphalt venture budgeting, and its inclusion inside American asphalt calculators gives customers with a extra complete understanding of total venture bills. Asphalt paving depends closely on specialised tools, from excavators and graders for web site preparation to pavers and rollers for asphalt placement and compaction. Every bit of apparatus carries related prices, together with rental charges, operational bills (gasoline, upkeep), and potential operator certifications. Precisely estimating these prices is essential for stopping finances overruns and making certain venture feasibility. A strong calculator incorporates these equipment-related bills, permitting customers to anticipate the monetary affect of mandatory equipment.

Think about a large-scale freeway paving venture. Such a venture necessitates heavy-duty tools, together with giant pavers, rollers, and probably milling machines for eradicating present pavement. Renting or proudly owning this tools represents a considerable funding. Operational prices, together with gasoline consumption and upkeep, additional contribute to total venture bills. An American asphalt calculator incorporating tools value issues permits contractors to precisely estimate these bills, making certain adequate finances allocation. Conversely, a smaller residential driveway venture may require much less highly effective and cheaper tools, equivalent to a smaller paver and curler. The calculator, by accommodating these variations in tools wants, gives tailor-made value estimations for tasks of various scales and complexities. As an illustration, if a venture requires specialised tools like a vibratory curler for compacting a particular sort of asphalt combine, the calculator can mirror the related prices, enabling knowledgeable decision-making concerning tools choice and total finances allocation.

Correct tools value estimation is key to lifelike asphalt venture budgeting. By integrating these prices, American asphalt calculators provide beneficial instruments for complete venture planning. Understanding the monetary implications of mandatory tools empowers customers to make knowledgeable choices concerning tools selections, venture timelines, and total finances administration. This contributes to profitable venture completion inside allotted sources and minimizes the chance of unexpected value overruns because of equipment-related bills. Moreover, the flexibility to research tools prices inside the calculator can facilitate value optimization methods, equivalent to exploring various tools choices or adjusting venture specs to attenuate tools wants.

9. Whole Price Projection

Whole value projection represents the end result of assorted estimations inside an American asphalt calculator. It gives a complete overview of anticipated venture bills, enabling knowledgeable decision-making and efficient useful resource allocation. This projection aggregates particular person value parts, providing a holistic monetary perspective essential for venture planning and execution. Understanding the weather contributing to the entire value projection empowers customers to leverage the calculator’s full potential and make data-driven choices.

  • Materials Price Aggregation

    The whole value projection incorporates materials bills primarily based on venture dimension, chosen materials sort, and native pricing. This consists of not solely the uncooked asphalt value but additionally potential bills for tack coat, prime coat, and different mandatory supplies. As an illustration, a venture using a premium polymer-modified asphalt combine will mirror the next materials value in comparison with a venture utilizing a normal asphalt combine. The calculator aggregates these prices, offering a transparent overview of material-related bills.

  • Labor Price Integration

    Labor prices, derived from estimated crew dimension, venture period, native wage charges, and tools operation bills, contribute considerably to the entire value projection. A venture requiring in depth handbook labor, equivalent to hand-laying intricate pavement designs, will exhibit greater labor prices in comparison with a venture involving primarily machine-laid asphalt. The calculator integrates these labor estimations, offering a complete view of labor-related bills.

  • Tools Expense Inclusion

    Tools bills, encompassing rental charges, operational prices, and potential operator certifications, are factored into the entire value projection. A venture requiring specialised tools, like a milling machine for pavement elimination, will mirror greater tools bills in comparison with a venture using customary paving tools. The calculator incorporates these prices, offering a transparent image of equipment-related monetary implications.

  • Supply and Contingency Elements

    Supply prices, primarily based on distance, quantity, gasoline surcharges, and web site accessibility, are built-in into the entire value projection. Moreover, a contingency issue, typically expressed as a share of the entire estimated value, accounts for unexpected bills or venture variations. This buffer gives monetary flexibility and mitigates the chance of value overruns because of sudden circumstances. The inclusion of supply and contingency elements enhances the accuracy and practicality of the entire value projection, providing a extra lifelike and complete finances overview.

The whole value projection inside an American asphalt calculator gives a consolidated monetary overview, integrating materials, labor, tools, supply, and contingency prices. This complete projection empowers customers to guage venture feasibility, discover value optimization methods, and make knowledgeable choices primarily based on a practical understanding of anticipated bills. By aggregating particular person value parts, the calculator facilitates efficient finances administration and contributes to profitable venture completion inside allotted sources. This culminating determine serves as a vital decision-making software, enabling customers to evaluate venture viability and make knowledgeable selections primarily based on a holistic monetary perspective.

Regularly Requested Questions

This part addresses widespread inquiries concerning asphalt calculators designed for america market. Clear and concise solutions present sensible insights for customers searching for correct venture value estimations.

Query 1: How does an asphalt calculator account for regional worth variations?

Calculators typically incorporate native worth changes primarily based on materials availability, transportation prices, regional demand, and financial situations. Some instruments enable customers to enter particular zip codes or choose areas for extra exact value estimations.

Query 2: What elements affect the waste issue share utilized in calculations?

Venture complexity, web site situations, and materials sort affect the waste issue. Intricate designs, difficult terrain, or particular materials dealing with necessities could necessitate greater waste issue percentages.

Query 3: Can these calculators estimate labor prices for complicated tasks?

Superior calculators take into account elements like crew dimension, venture period, native wage charges, and tools operation prices, enabling estimations for tasks of various complexities. Nonetheless, extremely specialised or unusually complicated tasks could require further session with skilled professionals.

Query 4: How do calculators deal with variations in asphalt combine designs?

Calculators sometimes provide choices for choosing totally different asphalt mixes, every with related value implications. This enables customers to match pricing and efficiency traits earlier than making knowledgeable materials selections.

Query 5: Are supply prices sometimes included within the whole value projection?

Many calculators combine supply prices, accounting for elements like distance, materials quantity, gasoline surcharges, and web site accessibility. This gives a extra complete value overview.

Query 6: What are the restrictions of utilizing a web based asphalt calculator?

Whereas beneficial for preliminary estimations, on-line calculators could not seize each project-specific element. Complicated tasks, distinctive web site situations, or specialised materials necessities could necessitate session with skilled paving professionals for extra exact value assessments. Calculators function beneficial planning instruments however shouldn’t exchange skilled experience when mandatory.

Understanding the functionalities and limitations of those instruments allows efficient venture planning and lifelike budgeting. Consulting with business professionals for complicated tasks ensures correct value evaluation and knowledgeable decision-making.

The following part explores case research demonstrating the sensible utility of those calculators in numerous paving situations.

Ideas for Efficient Asphalt Venture Estimation

Correct value estimation is essential for profitable asphalt paving tasks. The next ideas provide sensible steerage for leveraging digital estimation instruments successfully.

Tip 1: Correct Measurement is Paramount

Exact venture dimensions kind the inspiration of dependable estimations. Make the most of applicable measuring instruments and strategies to find out correct size, width, and depth. Double-checking measurements minimizes errors and ensures lifelike materials amount calculations. For instance, utilizing a measuring wheel gives extra correct size measurements for curved pathways in comparison with primary pacing or estimation.

Tip 2: Perceive Materials Choices

Totally different asphalt mixes provide various efficiency traits and price implications. Analysis accessible choices to pick out probably the most applicable combine for the particular venture necessities and finances. Think about elements like visitors quantity, local weather situations, and desired longevity when selecting between customary mixes, dense-graded mixes, or specialised mixes like porous asphalt.

Tip 3: Account for Subgrade Situations

The underlying subgrade considerably impacts venture preparation and total value. Consider subgrade stability and drainage to find out potential wants for added base materials or floor enchancment. A poorly ready subgrade can result in untimely pavement failure, necessitating pricey repairs. Investing in correct subgrade preparation ensures long-term pavement efficiency and minimizes future bills.

Tip 4: Incorporate Native Pricing Information

Materials and labor prices fluctuate geographically. Make the most of instruments incorporating native worth changes for correct estimations. Seek the advice of native suppliers or business professionals to confirm pricing knowledge and guarantee estimations mirror regional market situations. This prevents discrepancies between estimated and precise venture prices.

Tip 5: Do not Overlook Waste

Embody a practical waste consider calculations to account for materials losses throughout dealing with, reducing, and compaction. Underestimating waste results in materials shortages and venture delays. A typical waste issue ranges from 5% to 10%, relying on venture complexity and web site situations. Consulting with skilled paving contractors may also help decide an applicable waste issue for particular venture circumstances.

Tip 6: Think about Supply Logistics

Consider supply prices, contemplating distance, quantity, gasoline surcharges, and web site accessibility. Supply bills signify a considerable portion of whole venture value and shouldn’t be neglected. Inquire with native asphalt suppliers about supply charges and any potential surcharges for difficult-to-reach places or specialised supply necessities.

Tip 7: Consider Labor Necessities Realistically

Precisely estimate labor prices primarily based on crew dimension, venture period, and native wage charges. Complicated tasks or these requiring specialised abilities could necessitate greater labor bills. Consulting with native contractors can present insights into typical labor charges and crew necessities for particular venture sorts.

By following the following tips, one can guarantee extra correct value estimations and efficient venture planning. These insights facilitate knowledgeable decision-making, optimized useful resource allocation, and profitable venture completion inside finances.

The next conclusion summarizes key takeaways and gives ultimate suggestions for asphalt venture estimation.

Conclusion

Correct value estimation is paramount for profitable asphalt paving tasks inside america. Digital instruments, also known as American asphalt calculators, present beneficial assist for this significant planning part. These instruments facilitate knowledgeable decision-making by contemplating key elements equivalent to venture dimension, materials sort, native pricing, waste, supply logistics, labor necessities, and tools bills. Understanding the functionalities and limitations of those calculators empowers customers to generate lifelike value projections and successfully handle venture budgets.

Asphalt pavement represents a big funding. Thorough planning, supported by correct value estimations, ensures environment friendly useful resource allocation, minimizes monetary dangers, and contributes to profitable venture outcomes. Leveraging accessible digital sources, mixed with session with skilled paving professionals when mandatory, paves the best way for sturdy, cost-effective, and well-executed asphalt tasks throughout the nation.