Innovative bitumen technology to reduce impact on air quality

Abstract

With increasing environmental awareness, air quality is a topic of intense discussion and focus with many environment authorities/agencies setting targets aiming to improve air quality. Reducing the impact on air quality from road construction and maintenance activities plays a part in a holistic approach to improving air quality, particularly in the urban environment. This paper describes an innovative bitumen technology which can help reduce the impact on local air quality from bitumen and asphalt mixtures during asphalt manufacture and pavement installation. It presents laboratory experiments designed to replicate the end-to-end aspects of the bitumen supply chain; starting from refineries and storage depots to paving at road construction sites. The laboratory results have shown substantial reductions in a range of air quality indicators, such as SOx, NOx, particulate emissions, volatile organic content emission as well as in other potential nuisances such as H2S and odour. Full scale field evaluations carried out in major cities have reflected the results obtained in the laboratory and show a reduction in the emission of specific gases and particulates at various points of the asphalt preparation and pavement laying process. This bitumen technology plays a role as part of the holistic solution in improving air quality in the urban environment.