Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Designing High Traffic Volume Urban
Motorway Pavements to Maximize
Sustainability
Michael L.J. Maher, Ludomir Uzarowski, and Gary Moore
Introduction
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in late 1997 to address the problem of global
warming by reducing the world's greenhouse gas emissions. It went into effect on
February 16, 2005 and as of April 2008, a total of 178 countries and other govern-
mental entities have ratified the agreement. It is estimated that transportation is
responsible for over 20% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Of this total,
some 85% is from road transportation. A wide range of strategies have been put
forward to curb the continuing growth in road transport emissions. These include
improved vehicle efficiencies, low carbon fuels, and travel reduction. One aspect of
road transportation that has not received much attention is the design philosophy
for road structural design.
The road design and construction industry needs to become part of the sustain-
ability solution by proactively implementing technologies and construction practices
that contribute to achieving the challenging emission reduction goals. In addition to
improved asphalt technology, better construction and rehabilitation methods, and
optimized pavement selection based on life-cycle thinking, more attention needs to
be focused on delivering more sustainable pavements. The sustainable pavement
can be defined as one that provides the best balance between economic, environ-
mental and social considerations. In essence, this is a pavement that is safe and
durable, has less maintenance demands, longer time between major rehabilitation
interventions, and where life cycle costs are minimized.
M.L.J Maher
Golder Associates Ireland, Naas, Co, Kildare, Ireland
L. Uzarowski
Golder Associates Ltd, Whitby, Ontario, Canada
G. Moore
City of Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
