The environmental performances of reclaimed asphalt and bituminous sand pavements for transition toward low carbon mobility

Authors

  • Mihaela Condurat Regional Directorate of Roads and Bridges Iasi (D.R.D.P. Iasi), Romanian National Company of Road Infrastructure Management (C.N.A.I.R. S.A Romania)
  • Gabriela Ionita Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.21.4.18486

Keywords:

bituminous sand, environmental impact, life-cycle assessment, reclaimed asphalt pavement, road pavement

Abstract

Given the climate change, the high levels of pollution nowadays and the depletion of lithographic resources, low carbon technologies for road reinforcement with low energy consumption are essential for a sustainable future. These technologies, including incorporation of nonconventional materials, such as oil sands or bituminous sands, in pavement construction and recycling techniques of the existing deteriorated pavements, represent significant methods which can be performed for a better conservation of resources, and therefore the environment. In terms of environmental indicators assessment, the results of recent research undertaken for road pavement reinforcement strategies are presented. The Global Warming Potential expressed as quantities of CO2e emissions for a road pavement incorporating various alternative materials, such as oil sand and reclaimed asphalt have been evaluated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) study performed with asPECT software. The results obtained from these studies are presented within this paper and specific recommendations with regards to various technologies usage are given. These are required for minimizing the environmental impact of transport infrastructure and thus advancing towards low carbon mobility. The paper aims to highlight the need for effective measures concerning road pavements maintenance and intervention works. These measures are intended to extend the pavements lifecycle and therefore to reduce the overall ecological impact associated with the reconstruction of the road pavement because this action is correlated with significant quantities of polluting emissions released into the atmosphere, enormous granular materials and energy consumption and thus, an exponential increase of the greenhouse effect.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.21.4.18486

Author Biographies

Mihaela Condurat, Regional Directorate of Roads and Bridges Iasi (D.R.D.P. Iasi), Romanian National Company of Road Infrastructure Management (C.N.A.I.R. S.A Romania)

Investments Department, Regional Directorate of Roads and Bridges Iasi (D.R.D.P. Iasi), Romanian National Company of Road Infrastructure Management (C.N.A.I.R. S.A Romania), PhD, Eng.

Gabriela Ionita, Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi

Department of Transportation Infrastructure and Foundations, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi

PhD Student

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Published

2017-12-22

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Section

Articles