Sustainable Pavement Case Studies

Indiana–Superpave5
The Indiana DOT has adopted Superpave5–a novel approach of asphalt mixture design. This study indicated that layers with the Superpave5 mixes were constructible without additional equipment or effort and exhibited similar environmental impacts as conventional mixtures.
Iowa–Perpetual Asphalt Pavement
The Iowa DOT constructed an innovative perpetual asphalt pavement with long design life in 2016. The award-winning project, located on a 3.5-mile stretch of State Highway 100, provided reduced life-cycle costs and reduced environmental impacts compared with conventional designs.
Georgia–SMA, OGFC, and Microfilling
The Georgia DOT has found that combining use of stone matrix asphalt (SMA), open-graded friction course (OGFC), and micro-milling is a cost-effective pavement strategy to provide safety and longevity on many of its interstate roadways.
Virginia–Asphalt Pavement Recycling
Virginia (VDOT) demonstrated the use of in-place recycling and central-plant recycling for rehabilitating two Interstate highway projects. The result was long-lasting and cost-effective pavement rehabilitation amid limited resources and increased construction costs. This case study is also summarized as a video.

Colorado–Blended Cements
Concrete mixture modifications and construction practice changes led to cost savings of more than 50 percent, time savings of several weeks, and significant reductions in various environmental impacts on a reconstruction project on I-70 in Denver.
Minnesota–Long-Life Concrete Pavement
The Minnesota DOT implemented a long-life concrete pavement program in the early 2000s that is now providing sustainability benefits for the State. This is demonstrated by a 2004 long-life concrete pavement reconstruction project on I-94, a 6-lane divided interstate northwest of Minneapolis.
California–Concrete Surface Texturing
Caltrans constructed a pilot project on I-5 north of San Diego that demonstrated the benefits such as improved smoothness, reduced noise emissions, and increased surface friction of conventional diamond ground (CDG) and next-generation concrete surface (NGCS) techniques installed on pavements from 1960s, 1970s, and 2000s.
Texas–Recycled Concrete Aggregate
Reusing old concrete pavement as an aggregate source for new pavement construction can lead to cost savings, reductions in virgin material use, and overall sustainability benefits. This was demonstrated on a concrete pavement reconstruction project on I-10, a ten-lane divided interstate in Houston.

Arizona - Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to Inform the Pavement Treatment Selection Process
The FHWA Pavement Life Cycle Assessment Framework can be used to inform project decision-making. Using data from two projects, Arizona Department of Transportation explores environmental impacts as part of its pavement treatment type selection process.
Louisiana–Inverted Pavements
Inverted pavement systems are used to optimize material consumption and provide long-term performance benefits. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has adopted inverted pavement systems with demonstrated cost savings and environmental benefits.
Washington, Ohio, Florida–Sustainability Rating Systems
Sustainability rating systems are being used to encourage more sustainable practices. Although pavements are not the primary focus of these systems, pavement-related strategies can help the overall score, as illustrated by case examples of three sustainability rating systems–Greenroads, INVEST, and ENVISION.

Pavements