Sustainable pavement preservation and maintenance practices

Abstract

This chapter discusses the state-of-the-practice in sustainable pavement maintenance and preservation. Its focus is on quantifying and understanding how pavement preservation and maintenance practices minimize environmental impacts. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) differentiates between pavement preservation and pavement maintenance and uses this to allocate federal funds accordingly. While Canadian agencies recognize and practice the concepts of pavement preservation, there is no regulatory differentiation between it and maintenance as compared to the US. Pavement preservation promotes environmental sustainability by conserving energy, virgin materials, and reducing greenhouse gases by keeping good roads good. Therefore, a sustainable pavement maintenance program should consider allocating personnel and resources to pavement preservation.