Life Cycle Assessment for Concrete and Asphalt Pavement at the Network Scale

Abstract

In 2001 the Québec Ministry of Transportation (MTQ), Canada, has adopted a policy subdividing the existing pavement network into dedicated concrete and asphalt networks. Pavement designs for 16 Functional Class were compared for asphalt and concrete for a 50 years analysis period using a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA). In addition to LCCA, a multiple criteria analysis was performed to account for input factors not amenable to quantification in monetary terms. The 2010 policy was updated for cost and traffic demand. Environment issues were also addressed through a life cycle assessment (LCA) performed on 32 pavements designs. This paper presents the application of conventional LCA methodology to roads, salient inventory data and main comparative results with respect to midpoint and endpoint environmental impacts. Results are clearly in favour of asphalt pavements for three out of four endpoint impact, namely human health, climate change and ecosystem quality, whereas impacts on resource consumption is favorable to concrete pavement.