Life Cycle Assessment of Asphalt Pavement Materials: Methods, Environmental Impacts, and Future Perspectives
摘要
Asphalt pavements represent a significant component of global infrastructure, with their environmental footprint linked to issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and natural resource depletion. The assessment of their sustainability is critical for minimizing negative environmental impacts and achieving climate goals. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) serves as a vital methodological framework for analyzing the comprehensive environmental impacts of asphalt materials throughout their lifecycle. This review paper presents an overview of current LCA methods, examines the environmental impacts of various asphalt technologies, and identifies sustainability benefits through innovative practices such as using recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and warm mix asphalt (WMA). Key findings demonstrate that LCA reveals substantial reductions in carbon emissions and energy usage when utilizing RAP and WMA technologies as part of asphalt production, aligning with industry efforts to transition toward more sustainable construction practices. Furthermore, integrating emerging technologies and enhancing data collection efforts can provide deeper insights into the performance and impacts of asphalt materials. Future research directions emphasize the need for dynamic LCA models that capture real-time performance factors, standardization of LCA methodologies, and the incorporation of social and economic considerations alongside environmental metrics. This comprehensive approach will support policymakers and practitioners in designing and implementing sustainable asphalt solutions, ultimately contributing to the resilience and longevity of transportation infrastructure.