A new study from the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub) finds that simple changes in road resurfacing practices could improve gas mileage for heavy vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the report, the study examined state-by-state data on climate conditions, road lengths, materials properties and road usage and modeled different scenarios for pavement resurfacing practices. They found that one key to improving mileage efficiency is to make pavements that are stiffer. This reduces the amount of deflection, which reduces wear on the road but also reduces the slightly uphill motion the vehicle makes to rise out of its own depression on the road.

Read the full report here.