01
Materials and quantities
Calculate the quantities in each layer and resources required. Low mass per cubic metre does not, on its own, establish a low carbon footprint.
Compare across service life.
The September 2020 InnovAct Consulting study compares pavement structures and their costs and impacts over 30 years. It provides a basis for assessing alternatives. Project quantities, transport, maintenance and geographic boundaries must reflect the chosen conditions. A scenario result is not a universal material-specific reduction.
GHG: comparing four scenarios
Compare equivalent structures with material production, transport, construction and maintenance included.
The scenario assessment examines conventional pavement, two alternatives from the historical study and an exploratory option with 304.8 mm (12 inches) of lightweight concrete.
The assessment includes added and replaced materials, transport, construction and maintenance. Québec emissions are distinguished from the full life cycle; congestion and detours are considered separately.
Inputs and assumptions must reflect the project. Simulation outputs are not a certified inventory or a guaranteed reduction.
Public documents
Public BLC summaries. Original report references are included to support review with your team.
Four areas to examine.
02
Transport and proximity
Compare distances, payloads and deliveries. Local production can be valuable where the supply chain supports it.
03
Durability and interventions
Evaluate avoided or deferred maintenance within a justified scenario, then monitor field results.
04
Water and end of life
Plan drainage, environmental characterisation, deconstruction and local recovery routes. Recyclability must be demonstrated for the complete material and available infrastructure.
What the 2020 study contributes.
InnovAct’s life-cycle assessment considers one lane-kilometre in Québec over 30 years. It examines climate impact, fossil resources, acidification, eutrophication, ozone, respiratory effects and smog, informing design choices at pavement-system level.
Road-user traffic and end of life are excluded. Inconsistencies between tables and commentary require clarification by the authors. The site therefore assigns no generic emissions-reduction percentage to the product.
InnovAct · 2020 · Pavement study · French PDFA useful framework for project owners.
- Choose the same study period, width and comparable service level.
- Use quantities from the actual design, local distances and an explicit maintenance scenario.
- Separate measurements, assumptions and sensitivity analyses.
- Document whole-system impacts and trade-offs between impact categories.
BLC
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