Keeping road pavement in good shape saves money and energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, more than offsetting pollution generated during road construction, according to a Rutgers-led study.
Keeping road pavement in good shape saves money and energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, more than offsetting pollution generated during road construction, according to a Rutgers-led study.
The study appears in the International Journal of Sustainable Transportation.
The researchers found that extending the life of pavement through preventive maintenance can reduce greenhouse gases by up to 2 percent; transportation agencies can cut spending by 10 percent to 30 percent; and drivers can save about 2 percent to 5 percent in fuel consumption, tire wear, vehicle repair and maintenance costs because of smoother surfaces.
The research will help transportation agencies choose appropriate maintenance strategies that consider environmental impacts in decision-making.
Read more at Rutgers University
Photo: A machine compacts asphalt over existing pavement at a construction site at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. CREDIT: Hao Wang / Rutgers University-New Brunswick
