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

Abstract

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.