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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Alternative Pavement Rehabilitation Solutions: A Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Christina Plati

    (Laboratory of Pavement Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, GR-15773 Athens, Greece)

  • Maria Tsakoumaki

    (Laboratory of Pavement Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, GR-15773 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

In the context of sustainability, the pavement construction industry is taking a more holistic approach to environmental, economic, and social issues. In particular, pavements are believed to be responsible for up to 24% of total greenhouse gas emissions over the last century. Therefore, it is critical to include a tool to assess the environmental and health impacts of pavement construction or rehabilitation in the related design studies. This tool is called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). With this in mind, this case study examines two alternative solutions for the rehabilitation of an existing highway pavement: one using conventional materials and processes and one using conventional recycled materials and recycling processes. These two alternatives are ecologically evaluated using an LCA method to increase the importance of quantifying environmental and health impacts. By comparing the corresponding results, this study aims to quantitatively demonstrate how recycled materials and recycling processes contribute to the sustainability of pavements. As a final result, it is shown that the environmental and human health benefits are significant, even though the use of recycled materials and processes for pavements may be limited.

Suggested Citation

  • Christina Plati & Maria Tsakoumaki, 2023. "Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Alternative Pavement Rehabilitation Solutions: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2129-:d:1044602
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yunpeng Zhao & Dimitrios Goulias & Dominique Peterson, 2021. "Recycled Asphalt Pavement Materials in Transport Pavement Infrastructure: Sustainability Analysis & Metrics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Wesam Salah Alaloul & Muhammad Altaf & Muhammad Ali Musarat & Muhammad Faisal Javed & Amir Mosavi, 2021. "Systematic Review of Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Pavement and a Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-38, April.
    3. Olsson, Susanna & Kärrman, Erik & Gustafsson, Jon Petter, 2006. "Environmental systems analysis of the use of bottom ash from incineration of municipal waste for road construction," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 26-40.
    4. Chiu, Chui-Te & Hsu, Tseng-Hsing & Yang, Wan-Fa, 2008. "Life cycle assessment on using recycled materials for rehabilitating asphalt pavements," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(3), pages 545-556.
    5. Filippo G. Praticò & Marinella Giunta & Marina Mistretta & Teresa Maria Gulotta, 2020. "Energy and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Pavement Materials and Technologies for Urban Roads," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-15, January.
    6. Thenoux, Guillermo & González, Álvaro & Dowling, Rafael, 2007. "Energy consumption comparison for different asphalt pavements rehabilitation techniques used in Chile," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 325-339.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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