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https://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/events

Advancing High RAP Asphalt Mixtures toward Pavement Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon Emissions

This project will advance the responsive use of high reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) asphalt mixtures in New Mexico, providing the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) with significant cost savings and improved transportation systems for the traveling public. Increasing the RAP content in asphalt mixtures from 20% to 40% while improving pavement performance could reduce the material cost by $10 per ton and reduce carbon emissions by 8%. These economic and environmental benefits would be substantial to NMDOT and the people of New Mexico, considering that over 3.5 million tons of asphalt mixtures are produced annually across the state. This research will also position NMDOT at the forefront in advancing pavement longevity and sustainability while allowing NMDOT to participate in the national efforts ot the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) nand collaborate with other state departments of transportation (DOTs) interested in using high RAP asphalt mixtures. OBJECTIVE: The overall objective of this research is to advance high RAP asphalt mixtures toward pavement sustainability and net zero carbon emissions in New Mexico. Specifically, the research seeks to: Develop mix design strategies to improve the long-term pavement performance and life span of high RAP asphalt mixtures; Determine the multi-cycle recyclability of high RAP asphalt mixtures; Quantify the economic and environmental benefits of high RAP asphalt mixtures through life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and life cycle analysis (LCA).