Pavement, Energy and Economy

Dear Colleagues,

Energy is a broad term in pavement engineering, which encompasses a wide variety of aspects of pavement design, material, construction, maintenance and recycling. It should be noted that pavements are energy-intensive infrastructure assets that significantly rely on non-renewable resources. Due to the high prices of carbon-based energy carriers, which can result in an energy crisis, different technologies have been developed to decrease energy requirements and carbon footprints in asphalt and concrete pavement technologies. Examples of ways to improve energy efficiency in the pavement industry include the following: the use of recycled materials; the use of more energy-efficient methods for the production of aggregate, cement, and asphalt; the development of cutting-edge technologies and approaches in the mining and haulage of materials; the use of nanomaterials; the use of less energy-intensive asphalt/cement mix production; the use of alternative fuels; the use of new methodologies in pavement management systems; updating design/modelling approaches; updating construction codes. However, it should be noted that energy analysis is not restricted to pavement construction. Evaluation of material performance is based on energy analysis in terms of fracture mechanisms (e.g., Tresca and Von Mises theories, etc.) and the kinetic/potential energy embedded in material structures.

In addition, the thermal reflection of pavement surfaces results in the heat island phenomenon in urban areas, which dramatically affects the resilience of cities. Therefore, the synergistic effects between the thermodynamic performance of pavement networks and the energy consumed to cool down indoor environments should be scrutinized by urban planners and developers due to its long-term financial effects on residents.

Furthermore, pavements are multi-role infrastructure assets that not only provide a safe surface for the transportation of goods and passengers but also support the drainage in a given catchment through transferring surface runoff into culverts and aqueducts. Some new technologies have been developed and embedded into pavement layers to harness the kinematic energy of moving vehicles, producing electricity for lighting during the nighttime. Such sustainable energy can transform the concept of pavements from an infrastructure asset into future miniature powerplants. The technology of photovoltaic cells also improves sustainability.

Utilization of geothermal energy includes power production from high-enthalpy fields and direct utilization from those with lower enthalpies. Ice melting as a subcategory of direct uses of geothermal energy has been a common practice on roads and pavements in countries with snowy winters and available geothermal resources. It should be noted that geothermal energy is an inexhaustible energy resource without power cutoff, which results in a massive capital saving in the maintenance of pavement networks in winter, with no environmental impacts in comparison with other approaches, e.g., the use of salt.

Therefore, the purpose of this Special Issue, “Pavement, Energy and Economy”, is to cover the energy analysis of pavement construction (macro energy analysis), material characterization, environmental impact assessment, and evaluation of sustainability in the asphalt, concrete and concrete block pavement technology in light-, medium- and heavy-duty applications. In addition, the scope of this Special Issue covers energy analysis of the mechanical performance of materials (micro energy analysis). Furthermore, the effect of the energy policies which have been adopted in socioeconomic development plans on pavement construction in different countries lies within the scope of this Special Issue. Such policies can lead pavement engineers, policymakers, economic planners and environmental campaigners to adopt optimal options. In summary, this Special Issue is a nexus between material engineering, construction technology, energy analysis, environment, economic planning and policy making in pavement engineering for highways, ports and airports.

This is an invitation to all pavement engineers, material researchers, contractors, policymakers and users to contribute your experience and the results of your research and consultancy projects. It is hoped that this Special Issue will make a significant contribution to the literature on the design and construction of sustainable, cost-effective and high-strength pavements.

Dr. Ali Jamshidi
Guest Editor

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