Life Cycle Cost Analysis to Select Types of New Pavement Considering the Climate Change

A series of life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) was performed among three candidate pavement structures in Canada: asphalt, concrete, and composite pavements. Asphalt pavement construction demonstrated the lowest user cost owing to its shorter construction duration and day-only work schedule. Conversely, concrete pavement boasts the lowest agency cost attributed to its superior construction durability. Considering that Route 261 primarily serves newly established industries, which often adhere to stringent production schedules, it is advisable to opt for the construction of asphalt pavement, given its lower user cost. Over time, this decision is also expected to yield incremental monetary value. Nevertheless, if the influence of climate change on various pavement types is considered into the LCCA, the outcomes may diverge. It could be imperative to account for weather fluctuations, as they can significantly hasten pavement surface degradation. The region of Quebec, Canada has seen an increase in the intensity of precipitation events and more fluctuations in temperature, possibly contributing to cracking roadways. Past studies indicated that climate change, particularly temperature and precipitation contribute to accelerating cracking in flexible pavements. Climate variables such as temperature, precipitation wind, cloud cover and groundwater levels and freeze-thaw cycles exert distinct impacts on pavement performance.