It is expeditiously laid, and when repairs are necessary they can easily be effected; no pavement shows less signs of openings being made in it for gas and water-pipe repairs than asphalte.
The rapid laying causes less inconvenience to traffic in the streets.
Ease of traction; but here steps in the one great objection to asphalte as a roadway paving, viz. danger to horses by slipping and falling, of which I shall say more hereafter.
Cellars and vaults under the streets are kept dry, by reason of its impermeability to moisture.
Easily cleansed, especially by mechanical sweeping, and snow is easily removed.
It is very pleasing to the eye, being so uniformly regular and of good colour.
There is no vibration or concussion in travelling over it, and apart from the question of safety it is delightful to drive over it.
It is a cool pavement at night; it does not absorb heat during the day, and consequently none radiates from it after the sun has gone down.[93]
The great objection to asphalte as a material for roadways arises from the fact that it is extremely slippery when damp,[94] irrespective of temperature, and this in the climate of England is frequently the case. The result of this slipperiness is, that not only do horses frequently fall upon it, but it is also difficult to stop a horse when drawing a load, thus causing more risk to foot-passengers of being run over, and straining the horse considerably in its efforts. Again, in thoroughfares crowded with vehicular traffic, constant stoppages occur, and in starting again it is painful to witness the struggles of the horses to keep their footing and overcome the inertia of their load. When a horse falls he has very great difficulty in rising, but on the other hand, although he may be strained, a horse never breaks his knees upon this class of pavement. How far this might be altered if all the streets of a town were paved with asphalte, is a fair matter for argument, as it is asserted that horses are very nervous on going from one pavement to another, and accidents frequently happen in consequence.
The strewing of sand upon asphalte renders it less slippery, but in addition to the interference of the traffic whilst this is being done, there are the further objections, of the possible injury of the sand cutting into the asphalte, the expense of labour and materials, and the mud caused thereby which has afterwards to be removed. Another plan is to frequently wash the asphalte with water, but this is expensive and only of temporary benefit.