Using monetization to harmonize life-cycle assessment and life-cycle cost analysis for green public procurement of pavement projects

Abstract

This research applies monetization to harmonize life cycle assessment (LCA) with life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) for implementation in the green public procurement of pavement projects. The monetized environmental impact (MEI) shows an excellent correlation with the net present value. As both indicators are expressed using the same unit, LCA and LCCA can be easily combined into a single sustainability indicator. The MEI is mainly determined by the impact of the upper asphalt layers. The structure with bitumen stabilized material (BSM) and no asphalt base has the lowest MEI, followed at a certain distance by the structure with unbound and lean asphalt bases. The cement-bound section and another BSM section show the highest MEI. Finally, a detailed hotspot analysis highlighted that climate change, particulate matter formation, and use of non-renewable energy resources contributed over 90% of the total MEI.