Carbon Footprint Estimation in Road Construction: La Abundancia–Florencia Case Study

Abstract

The environmental impact of road construction and rehabilitation can be associated with the increase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are highly related to climate change. Consequently, departments of transportation have recently focused on the development and implementation of tools to evaluate the performance of projects and minimize GHG emissions. An example is the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) to analyze and quantify the environmental impact of a product, system, or process, from cradle to grave. In this regard, the present case study quantifies the carbon footprint associated with the construction of the La Abundancia–Florencia highway, located in the province of San Carlos in Costa Rica. The analysis is also intended to generate consciousness both in the public and private sectors on the environmental impacts of road construction. After an LCA study, it was determined that the construction of the hot mix asphalt (HMA) layer generates a carbon footprint of 65.8 kg of CO2e per km of road. In addition, it was evident that HMA production generates the greatest environmental impact, among all the considered LCA production and construction stages, with a GHG contribution of 38% to 39% from bitumen only. Consequently, special attention to HMA production is required in order to minimize GHG emissions.

A Case Study of Industrial Symbiosis to Reduce GHG Emissions: Performance Analysis and LCA of Asphalt Concretes Made With RAP Aggregates and Steel Slags

“…Due to the high amount of GHG emissions generated during road construction, rehabilitation, and operation, the evaluation and reduction of the environmental impact related to the road sector have become an international challenge (Espinoza et al, 2019). In this sense, a systematic approach has emerged to assess the environmental impact of pavements.…”

“…In this sense, a systematic approach has emerged to assess the environmental impact of pavements. LCA is considered a relevant methodology to evaluate the environmental impacts that affect the road life-cycle (Espinoza et al, 2019) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established the principles, requirements, and guidelines to regulate the LCA analysis (ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 14020, ISO 14024, and ISO 14025). Moreover, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in 2016 proposed an LCA as an assessment methodology of road environmental performance, with reference to ISO 14067 or equivalents and ISO 14040/14044.…”

“…Moreover, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in 2016 proposed an LCA as an assessment methodology of road environmental performance, with reference to ISO 14067 or equivalents and ISO 14040/14044. Finally, according to Espinoza et al, (2019), the use of an LCA for evaluating the environmental performance of the construction of road projects allows construction companies to obtain information that can be used to predict the performance of their projects and to evaluate compliance with environmental requirements. Similarly, it allows the selection of optimal materials and construction processes, reducing the GHG emissions and permitting a more sustainable approach.…”

“…Therefore, LCA analysis performed by Espinoza et al, (2019) highlighted that HMA production generates the greatest environmental impact, considering the extraction of raw material and the construction of the HMA layers. Previous research has shown that HMA emits up to 18-22 kgCO 2 /t (Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer, 2012; JRC, 2016) and a recent LCA literature review for roads, carried out by JRC (2016), shows that the second largest source of environmental impact after the use phase is the production of construction materials.…”

Estimating carbon emission of rigid pavement: a case study of Palur Flyover

“…The evaluation of environmental impacts due to CO 2 emissions from road construction, rehabilitation, and operations has become an important issue, and a global concern [9]. This evaluation is done by tracking and measuring carbon levels in each activity.…”