Paving The Way To Environmentally Friendly Pavements Through Innovative Solutions

The concept of placing and compacting hot mix asphalt at lower temperatures provides many benefits to the environment. Lower temperatures can result in several construction-related and performance benefits as well, including reduced aging of the asphalt binder, reduced fumes and odours, reduced tenderness of the mix during compaction, increased usage of recycled asphalt pavement, and reduced drain-down with coarse mixes. The Kyoto Accord protocols, as well as new environmental regulations that are coming into effect mean that pressure is mounting to reduce greenhouse gases. In fact, several Canadian cities are moving towards the implementation of smog days relating to paving and road resurfacing. The use of lower temperatures in the production of hot mix is one way of accommodating this reduction. However, it is also important that this associated reduction does not adversely compromise the long-term quality of the road mixes. This paper describes a partnership between McAsphalt Industries, Miller Paving Limited, and the University of Waterloo's Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology. It discusses the laboratory and field results of innovative warm mix trials placed in Canada in 2005. The trials to date have shown environmental benefits associated with the warm mix technology without compromising structural performance. For the covering abstract of this conference, see ITRD number E215112. (A)