Selection of a Pavement Structure from Technically Established Alternatives Based on Construction Cost, Energy Consumption, and Carbon Footprint

Abstract:

This paper presents a procedure to select a pavement structure from technically established alternatives. The general proposed process relies on calculating the present worth of total cost resulting from construction, maintenance/rehabilitation, energy consumption and carbon footprint during those activities as well as recycling of the materials at their end life. However, depending on data availability, the general process could be reduced to just the construction phase as is the case in most developing countries where required pavement performance data is scarce. The reduced procedure was validated on four types of pavements for six traffic levels and three subgrade types. Under the conditions considered in this study, it was found that concrete pavements have high construction, embodied energy, and carbon footprint costs (the environmental impact represents about 66% of the total cost) as compared to other pavement types. Full-depth asphalt pavements were found to be the best ecological type, their construction cost is a little higher than the environmental one with a distribution of about 53% and 47%, respectively. Inverted pavements seem to be a good alternative to weak subgrades although the costs associated with environmental effects contribute to about 52% of the total cost.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 62)
• Pages: 85-106
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-xx05a5
• Online since: November 2022
• Authors: Wissem Taktak*, Amara Loulizi
• Keywords: Carbon Footprint, Embodied Energy, Life Cycle, Pavements, Present Worth

References

[1] M. Chappat et J. Bilal, « La route écologique du futur - Consommation d'énergie et émission de gaz à effet de serre », COLAS, (2003).

[2] T. Pierre Dorchies, « La route écologique du futur: Analyse de la consommation d'énergie et des émissions de gaz à effet de serre ». ColasCanada (Sintra Inc.), (2008).

DOI: 10.1787/9789264097353-8-fr

[3] Céline Lenglet, Sarah Goyer, Thibaut Lambert, Arnaud Feeser, et Jean Fauqué, « Etude des éco-comparateurs Synthèse des études de cas Phase 1 », CEREMA, (2014).

[4] Thives, L. P., Ghisi, E., Asphalt mixtures emission and energy consumption: A review,, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 72, (2017), 473-484.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.01.087

[5] T. Hoang, « Tronçons autoroutiers : une méthodologie de modélisation environnementale et économique pour différents scénarios », PhD dissertation, Nantes, (2005).

[6] T. Blomberg et al., « Partial life cycle inventory or eco-profile, for paving grade bitumen », European Bitumen Association (In.), Brussels, Belgium. Eurobitume report, 99, (1999).

[7] Athena Institute, « A life cycle perspective on concrete and asphalt roadways: embodied primary energy and global warming potential », (2006).

[8] H. Stripple, « Life Cycle Assessment of Road- A Pilot Study for Inventory Analysis », IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Second Revised Edition, (2001).

[9] Y. H. Huang, Pavement analysis and design, 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, (2004).

[10] P. Gauthier, « Étude du concept de structure inverse pour le renforcement de chaussées soumises aux charges d'autobus urbains », PhD Thesis, Université Laval, (2011).

[11] South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), South African pavement engineering manual. Pretoria: SANRAL, (2013).

[12] E. Tutumluer and R. D. Barksdale, « Inverted flexible pavement response and performance », Transportation research record, 1482, (1995), 102‑110.

[13] E. Tutumluer, « Predicting behavior of flexible pavements with granular bases », (1995).

[14] J.-F. Corté and M.-T. Goux, « Design of Pavement Structures: The French Technical Guide », Transportation Research Record No. 1539, Flexible Pavement Design and Rehabilitation Issues, (1996), 116-124.

DOI: 10.1177/0361198196153900116

[15] AFNOR, NF P98-086, Dimensionnement structurel des chaussées routières- Application aux chaussées neuves, (2019).

DOI: 10.51257/a-v1-c4316

[16] ISO 14040, Environmental Management – Life-Cycle Assessment - Principles and Framework (ISO 2006a).

DOI: 10.1065/lca2005.03.001

[17] Harvey, J., Meijer, J., Ozer, H., Al-Qadi, I. L., Saboori, A., & Kendall, A. « Pavement life cycle assessment framework », No. FHWA-HIF-16-014,. United States, Federal Highway Administration, (2006).

[18] ISO 14044, Environmental Management – Life-Cycle Assessment Requirements and Guidelines (ISO 2006b).

DOI: 10.3403/30290345

[19] « éco-comparateur ECORCE2 », 2012. http://ecorce2.ifsttar.fr/use.php.

[20] A. Ventura, M. Dauvergne, A. Jullien, et P. Tamagny, « ECORCE 1.0 : Eco-comparateur routes, construction et entretien », Revue générale des Routes RGRA, 883, (2010).

[21] S. Nocera, O. I. Galati, and F. Cavallaro, « On the Uncertainty in the Economic Valuation of Carbon Emissions from Transport », Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 52, (2018).

[22] International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, Carbon Pricing Leadership Report, Washington DC, (2020).