<p>The sustainability of transportation infrastructure, particularly road construction, has emerged as a pressing global concern due to its substantial environmental and public health impacts. This study conducts a macro-level life cycle assessment (LCA) of solid waste-based pavements utilizing steel slag and reclaimed asphalt pavement, with a specific focus on evaluating the environmental, economic, and health advantages of these alternative materials. A comprehensive LCA model was developed, integrating critical factors such as carbon emissions, PM<sub>2.5</sub> reductions, and life-cycle costs. The analysis encompasses all stages of the pavement life cycle, including raw material extraction, construction, usage, and end-of-life disposal, while also incorporating the dynamic effects of pavement deterioration and vehicle fuel consumption. In this study, a more refined life cycle benefit analysis was performed by accounting for slag production capacity and road mileage across different provinces in China, providing a more detailed regional assessment. The results demonstrate that implementing solid waste-based pavements across the mainland of China could reduce CO<sub>2</sub>e emissions by 45.65% (10291 million tons), PM<sub>2.5</sub> emissions by 33.91% (64.33 million tons), and costs by 13.74% (218.81 billion CNY) over a 30-year period, while preventing approximately 4990 premature deaths attributable to PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure. When monetizing these health benefits and climate impacts, the study projects a total net economic benefit of 316.30 billion CNY over 30 years. This research offers a scalable framework for assessing the multidimensional benefits of solid waste-based pavements, providing crucial insights for policymakers, engineers, and industry stakeholders committed to promoting sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure solutions.</p>

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A macro-level evaluation of the multidimensional life cycle impacts and benefits of solid waste-based pavements

  • Sang Luo,
  • Wei Huang,
  • Zhihan Zhang,
  • Jing Hu,
  • Jia Sun

摘要

The sustainability of transportation infrastructure, particularly road construction, has emerged as a pressing global concern due to its substantial environmental and public health impacts. This study conducts a macro-level life cycle assessment (LCA) of solid waste-based pavements utilizing steel slag and reclaimed asphalt pavement, with a specific focus on evaluating the environmental, economic, and health advantages of these alternative materials. A comprehensive LCA model was developed, integrating critical factors such as carbon emissions, PM2.5 reductions, and life-cycle costs. The analysis encompasses all stages of the pavement life cycle, including raw material extraction, construction, usage, and end-of-life disposal, while also incorporating the dynamic effects of pavement deterioration and vehicle fuel consumption. In this study, a more refined life cycle benefit analysis was performed by accounting for slag production capacity and road mileage across different provinces in China, providing a more detailed regional assessment. The results demonstrate that implementing solid waste-based pavements across the mainland of China could reduce CO2e emissions by 45.65% (10291 million tons), PM2.5 emissions by 33.91% (64.33 million tons), and costs by 13.74% (218.81 billion CNY) over a 30-year period, while preventing approximately 4990 premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 exposure. When monetizing these health benefits and climate impacts, the study projects a total net economic benefit of 316.30 billion CNY over 30 years. This research offers a scalable framework for assessing the multidimensional benefits of solid waste-based pavements, providing crucial insights for policymakers, engineers, and industry stakeholders committed to promoting sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure solutions.