Sources: Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario (RMCAO), Mississauga; Cement Association of Canada (CAC)
Timed with agencies’ increasing focus on short- and long-term construction and maintenance costs, “Methodology for the Development of Equivalent Pavement Design Matrix for Municipal Roadways” is the first reference of its kind for concrete and asphalt pavement cost comparison.
“Municipalities are seeking ways to more efficiently manage their budgets and improve the performance of their roadways,” says RMCAO President John Hull. “We felt it was imperative to undertake this study so they could have a reference document that compares equivalent concrete and pavement designs for various traffic levels and soil conditions, and determines their life-cycle cost.”
“Responsible politicians realize they must look beyond short-term expediency to deliver value to their communities,” adds CAC President Michael McSweeney. “Concrete pavement is not only more durable than asphalt, it can help municipalities reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and it provides other sustainable benefits like reduced aggregate demand, savings in truck fuel, and reduced energy consumption over the life of the pavement … This study clearly shows concrete typically has a lower life-cycle cost than asphalt for pavements of equivalent designs.”
Prepared by international consulting firm Applied Research Associates, the RMCAO- and CAC-commissioned study details a comprehensive matrix of equivalent concrete and asphalt pavement designs for various traffic levels and subgrade strengths. It also identifies the anticipated maintenance required on the pavement structures over a 50-year period and the corresponding life-cycle cost. “Methodology for the Development of Equivalent Pavement Design Matrix for Municipal Roadways” is available from www.rmcao.org or www.cement.ca.