A methodology for cost-benefit analysis of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in various highway applications

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine which utilisation of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in various roadway applications is the most cost efficient. Using a method developed by the National Asphalt Pavement Association, a system was devised to assess the costs and benefits of using RAP in hot plant mix. A similar process was developed to evaluate the value of using RAP in gravel roads and bases. The system normalises all of the costs and benefits into savings per tonne of RAP as a means of equal comparison. Factors such as savings from dust loss, layer coefficients, haul and decreased need of virgin aggregates were taken into account. Finally, a case study was conducted using these three different applications. Such analysis can be used by other agencies interested in identifying the most cost-effective methods for using RAP in roadway construction.

Keywords::

• RAP
• recycled asphalt pavement
• cost-benefit
• hot plant mix
• base layer
• gravel roads

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Burt Andreen and Harry Rocheville for their initial contributions to this paper, as well as Jon Zumwalt for his involvement during early stages of this project.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Mountain Plains Consortium for funding this study.