ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE. ENERGY ASPECTS

The authors outline the methods used to calculate all the energy needed for the construction and maintenance of roads and compare the amount of energy needed by the main construction techniques: rigid pavements, pavements with roadbases stabilized with hydraulic and bituminous binders. Costs are also compared. Attention is drawn to the new materials and methods that lead to energy savings. As regards techniques using bituminous binders a special mention is made of the use of sulphur as a partial substitute for bitumen and of the recycling of old bituminous mixtures. In techniques using hydraulic binders, the use of binders containing industrial by-products and high-performance roadbase materials are recommended as energy saving means. The authors recall the regulations laid down by the directorate of roads to reduce bitumen consumption in road works. (TRRL) (TRRL)