Smooth pavements not only create safe driving conditions, but also save drivers money at the gas pump, even as gas prices are on the rise. A study by the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) and the Department of Mechanical Engineering has found that smoother pavements are characterized by less rolling resistance, which requires less energy for a car when compared to a rough surface. Auburn research is developing ways engineers and contractors can construct more fuel efficient asphalt pavements. A review of past analyses suggests that improving pavement texture and smoothness could improve each driver’s fuel efficiency by 2 to 6 percent, according to Richard Willis, assistant research professor at NCAT. He and Robert Jackson, faculty member in mechanical engineering, examined several pavement characteristics and fuel efficiency studies from the U.S., Canada and Europe. Creating long-lasting, smooth pavements that will improve a vehicle’s gas mileage starts with a flexible base layer of asphalt to help prevent pavement cracking, followed by minor surface rehabilitations. These steps can help maintain smooth pavements for up to 50 years before reconstruction would be needed, saving money for budget-crunched states and drivers.