Life‐Cycle Assessment as a Tool for Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure Management

Abstract

This chapter describes how the efficient and effective asset management is critical for the long-term sustainability of transportation infrastructure systems and networks. On one hand, sound transportation infrastructure systems (e.g., highway, rail, aviation, and maritime) play a vital role in encouraging a more productive and competitive national economy. On the other hand, increasing demands, shrinkage financial and human resources, and increased infrastructure deterioration have made the task of maintaining the transportation infrastructure systems more challenging than ever before. The nation’s transportation infrastructure systems are reaching the end of their service lives. Infrastructure systems have gradually deteriorated with age as a result of environmental action and use that, in many cases, significantly exceeds the design expectation. Shortfalls in funding and changing population patterns have placed an even larger burden on aging power plants, water systems, airports, bridges, highways, and school facilities.