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Construction Cost and Carbon Emission Assessment of a Highway Construction—A Case towards Sustainable Transportation

Author

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  • Wenkai Luo

    (School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
    School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia)

  • Malindu Sandanayake

    (College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia)

  • Guomin Zhang

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia)

  • Yongtao Tan

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia)

Abstract

Due to its dynamic nature in construction, benchmarking environmental emissions of road construction projects can be a daunting task. Often stakeholders will have to prioritize the economic and environmental indicators based on the project objectives. The study presents a methodological framework to compare economic and environmental impacts to benchmark sustainable transport construction projects. Through findings, the study aims to inform focus areas and key stages of infrastructure projects to benchmark sustainable performance. Process-based emission and cost estimation models are presented with an AHP based weighting factor that enables prioritization of emissions and costs based on project scopes and objectives. Using a case study, results are represented to validate the framework and methodology. Concrete and steel are identified as the main materials that contribute to total carbon emissions, while soil and gravel are responsible for the highest costs. Electricity consumption is discovered as the major fuel type contributing to carbon emissions. Concrete and dump trucks are discovered as the top two sources of emissions and costs, respectively. Scenario analyses revealed that the choice of equipment significantly affects the project’s emissions and costs. The application of sustainable materials can significantly reduce emissions and cost. The use of the case study approach results in a lack of generalizability. However, the same methodology and process can be adopted for the sustainable benchmarking of different projects. Researchers are encouraged to investigate processes to automate sustainable benchmarking of transport infrastructure construction projects. The study is one of the first attempts to compare cost and environmental impacts using a systematic methodology of transportation infrastructure construction projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenkai Luo & Malindu Sandanayake & Guomin Zhang & Yongtao Tan, 2021. "Construction Cost and Carbon Emission Assessment of a Highway Construction—A Case towards Sustainable Transportation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:7854-:d:593927
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elena Fregonara & Roberto Giordano & Diana Rolando & Jean-Marc Tulliani, 2016. "Integrating Environmental and Economic Sustainability in New Building Construction and Retrofits," Journal of Urban Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(4), pages 3-28, October.
    2. Mohamed Marzouk & Eslam Mohammed Abdelkader & Mohamed El-zayat & Ahmed Aboushady, 2017. "Assessing Environmental Impact Indicators in Road Construction Projects in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Malindu Sandanayake & Guomin Zhang & Sujeeva Setunge & Chris Malcolm Thomas, 2015. "Environmental Emissions of Construction Equipment Usage in Pile Foundation Construction Process—A Case Study," Springer Books, in: Liyin Shen & Kunhui Ye & Chao Mao (ed.), Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 327-339, Springer.
    4. Zuo, Jian & Pullen, Stephen & Rameezdeen, Raufdeen & Bennetts, Helen & Wang, Yuan & Mao, Guozhu & Zhou, Zhihua & Du, Huibin & Duan, Huabo, 2017. "Green building evaluation from a life-cycle perspective in Australia: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 358-368.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhichao Ma & Jie Zhang & Huanhuan Wang & Shaochan Gao, 2023. "Optimization of Sustainable Bi-Objective Cold-Chain Logistics Route Considering Carbon Emissions and Customers’ Immediate Demands in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Malindu Sandanayake & Le Li & Junhai Zhao & Paul Joseph, 2022. "Applications of Solar Panel Waste in Pavement Construction—An Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-23, November.

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