Evaluation of an economy-technology-green development system for asphalt pavement construction in China based on synergetics

Abstract Resource shortages and environmental pollution are common problems faced by human beings worldwide. As an irreversible and indispensable process of economic development, asphalt pavement construction has an important impact on the ecological environment and society. The existing literature has provided rich technical research on low carbon emissions from asphalt pavement construction; however, most of these studies performed isolated research on the amount of carbon emissions. Economy, technology and green development are inextricably linked to form a complex coupled system, and current research is lacking a comprehensive judgment and evaluation of the system. To compensate for the lack of existing research, this paper applies the theory of systematics to the whole process of asphalt pavement construction and designs an economy-technology-green development system. By combining this system with the calculation of a coupling synergy model, the degree of coupling of the asphalt pavement construction system in China is determined to be 0.9889, the degree of synergy is 0.8060, and the system is in the stage of "high degree of coupling and low degree of synergy". The critical value at which the system approaches a new structure is given. The lower green development than economic development is an important reason for the low synergy. Additionally, improving the energy utilization rate and reducing the fuel, electricity and other energy used per unit in asphalt pavement construction are important approaches to improve green development. It is suggested that the government should increase its support for energy-saving technology, including capital investment and talent training. This study provides a scientific basis for the future policy orientation of asphalt pavement construction; solves the problem of low system synergy; and advocates developing the economy, technology and environment together to promote the progress of a new system structure.