Climate Resilience of Flexible Pavements

A recent study on climate change’s effects on pavements demonstrates their interactive relationship—one affects the other and vice versa. The study examines the impacts of climate change on pavements and their implications for their construction and maintenance.

However, the study also recognises the transport sector’s significant GHG emissions from the quality of pavements(smooth roads reduce vehicle emissions), materials used in construction and the type of maintenance or rehabilitation applied depending on the pavement’s condition.

Climatic stressors like temperatures, precipitation and groundwater, freeze-thaw cycles, cloud cover, and wind speeds can cause rapid deterioration of pavements. Responses to these can either increase or decrease GHG emissions depending on the choice of maintenance and construction materials.

The study says that current pavement construction and maintenance can be adapted to future climates and made resilient to more extreme natural events. Climate adaptation on pavements should focus on enhancing road durability and improving service, which can help reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. However, this can raise construction and maintenance costs, which could affect your budget.  

To reduce the economic and environmental impacts of pavement construction and maintenance during their life cycle, the study recommends integrating Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and the LCA approach when selecting climate adaptation and mitigation methods.

Combining both approaches will optimise pavement construction and maintenance targets, boost durability and service quality, and minimise emissions during the pavement’s life cycle.

The study discussed topics such as climate stressors and pavements’ sensitivity to them, climate change impacts on pavements, and relationships between climate adaptation and mitigation on pavements for those who wanted to understand the climate resilience of flexible pavements.

To read the entire study, click the link below: