Interlocking concrete pavements have a 29-year life cycle and, in low or high volume traffic conditions, have long-term costs within 5–10 percent of asphalt alternatives
Source: Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, Herndon, Va.
Interlocking concrete pavements have a 29-year life cycle and, in low- or high-volume traffic conditions, long-term costs within 5Ò10 percent of asphalt alternatives. ICPI’s new 54-page Methodology Report calculates life-cycle factors based on pavement performance data from 48 paving stone installations, plus paversÌ economy against asphalt when maintenance costs are considered. The higher the vehicle loads (axle loads) a pavement design specifies, authors contend, the lower interlocking concrete paversÌ life-cycle cost.
The report combines maintenance and rehabilitation costs with initial construction outlays to accurately compare various pavement types. It also provides examples using Excel format software for measuring life-cycle costs, where users enter initial construction and intervening yearsÌ maintenance costs, plus discount rates in order to calculate present values. When compared to conventional pavement systems the life-cycle cost analysis justifies lower maintenance costs associated with interlocking concrete pavement, ICPI affirms. Additional information on the Methodology Report and life cycle software can be obtained by visiting www.icpi.org.