Issue Identified

Road surface treatments are methods or materials for extending the lifetime of road pavements, delaying the need for major maintenance or rehabilitation. This process means that surface treatment contractors believe the treatment processes against conventional methods have a lower impact on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions produced. However, these claims are not usually made based on robust, standards led assessments as there was a lack of standardisation and consistency in producing carbon footprint.

The purpose of this work was to follow a required methodology for producing a carbon footprint and apply this to the different treatments as well as the conventional methods of resurfacing, or patching to determine which approach has a lower carbon footprint.

The work undertaken

Research took place to look for an appropriate methodology to use as a standard approach for determining a carbon footprint.

Working with 14 treatment companies, a desk top study was carried out to look at each of the treatments the companies provide and to gather appropriate, accurate data to calculate a carbon footprint. Each company provided data which was then assessed and verified. The data had to follow the requirements of the methodology. Each set of data was then converted into KgCO2e and calculated for a m2 of treatment. This was to ensure that each treatment was comparable.

Conventional approaches were also reviewed and data obtained. This data again was reproduced using the agreed methodology and produced into a m2 figure in the units kgCO2e.

The outcome

The guidelines developed for local highway authority Asset Managers, and other decision makers, will enable them to plan future maintenance programmes and demonstrate the carbon savings they have made, and are making by implementing whole life carbon and cost lifecycle asset management.

The benefit to the client

This is the first time all the major treatments including conventional asphalts have been calculated and compared in accordance with International Standards. It includes the A1 – A3, A4, A5 and total C02e emissions for each treatment, with sample comparisons for schemes using different materials and methods.

The newly developed guidelines are what local highway authorities have been waiting for, an endorsed one stop carbon specification for direct comparisons across materials and methods, and will be a game changer for reducing carbon (and costs) during the operational life of a road or footway. It paves the way for managing other highway assets in a similarly efficient way when their carbon lifecycle emissions can be quantified.

What our client said

Emma provided excellent liaison with our members and the association, along with regular updates on progress, and the document was delivered on time and on budget.
RSTA CEO – Paul Boss

Case Studies