Paving equipment is important in maintaining existing roadways and creating new roads. In fact, with over 90 percent of the nation's roads paved, paving equipment plays an important role in our transportation industry. Paving usually takes two forms--asphalt paving and concrete paving. Both substances have their advantages, and work best when used in their ideal conditions. Both asphalt and concrete are used to pave roads and driveways. There has been a long debate over which substance is the better choice, because each has its own unique advantages. Although concrete is a stronger substance and works best for areas that accommodate large volumes of traffic, asphalt is flexible and is the better choice for areas that experience great temperature and weather changes. Asphalt's ability to absorb heat quickly and melt snow also make it a good choice for mountain regions. As the name suggests, an asphalt paver is used to lay asphalt on roadways. Once the hot asphalt has been dumped onto the paving area, a piece of construction equipment called a roller presses the asphalt into the ground, creating a smooth, even surface. The asphalt paving machine operators are responsible for regulating the asphalt temperature and ensuring that an even flow of asphalt is being poured. Once the asphalt has been laid, it must be left to harden for at least six hours, though many types of asphalt require a longer hardening time. A concrete paver is a piece of construction equipment that is used in the formation of roadways, driveways and bridges. The equipment operator controls the paver's levers, ensuring that the concrete is spread evenly on the road's surface. The concrete paver is responsible for spreading, leveling and vibrating the cement until a smooth, even surface is created. There is a variety of construction equipment used for concrete paving, each specific to a certain purpose. Pavers are available for concrete placers, airports and streets and bridge decks.
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