Evaluation of permeable highway pavements via an integrated life-cycle model

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2021-09, Vol.314, p.128043, Article 128043
• Main Authors: Hung, Annie, Li, Loretta Y., Swei, Omar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Life cycle assessment; Life cycle cost analysis; Pavements; Surface runoff
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128043

This study details the development of integrated, probabilistic life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) models to evaluate the cost and environmental impacts of permeable highway pavements. The model characterizes the effect of highway runoff pollution and quantifies ecotoxicity, eutrophication, and global warming environmental impacts in addition to life-cycle costs. The model is applied in a practical, real-world highway case study located in British Columbia alongside an important freshwater lake. Decision-makers in this context are particularly concerned around impact factors (e.g., eutrophication and toxicity) commonly unreported in pavement LCA studies. The case study results show that, while the proposed permeable pavement systems cost an average of 40% more over their life-cycle, they can reduce expected ecotoxicity and eutrophication runoff impacts by 33%–72%. The findings of this study suggest that permeable highway pavement materials are potentially a viable, low impact development technology near aquatic ecosystems. •Integrated probabilistic life-cycle assessment and cost model for pavements•Case study to evaluate environmental and cost of permeable pavements•Permeable pavements reduce eutrophication and ecotoxicity impacts by 72% and 33%•Permeable pavements have similar global warming impacts as traditional pavements•Life-cycle cost for permeable pavements are 40% higher than traditional pavements