Economic and environmental analysis of crumb rubber modified asphalt

Abstract

The economic and environmental aspects of crumb rubber modified asphalts have been intensively studied. Still, it is unclear whether and under what conditions it is more sustainable than a traditional practice. This article evaluates the sustainability parameters of crumb rubber modified asphalt by wet process-high viscosity and commonly used wearing courses to determine the minimum required increase in service life for such asphalt to have lower annual energy use, global warming potential and costs. The full-depth pavement construction, a cradle-to-cradle approach were used. Life cycle assessment was used to calculate life cycle energy consumption and carbon dioxide equivalent, and life cycle cost analysis to calculate life cycle costs. Results show that a pavement with crumb rubber modified asphalt must have 2 to 4 years longer service life in each cycle than a pavement with asphalt concrete, asphalt concrete for very thin layers or stone mastic asphalt wearing course to be more sustainable in some or all sustainability parameters.