“TECH BRIEF: BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE-CYCLE THINKING”

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) launched the Sustainable Pavements Program in 2010 to advance the knowledge and practice of sustainability related to pavements. The overall objective of the program is to increase the awareness, visibility, and the body of knowledge of sustainability considerations in all stages of the pavement life cycle. Under this program, the FHWA has developed a number of resources to help highway agencies in advancing their current state of practice related to pavement sustainability. The July 2017 tech brief titled “TECH BRIEF: BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE-CYCLE THINKING” covers all aspects of Life-Cycle Costs (LCAs) in regards to sustainability. This ISCP article is an addition to the other 2 March 2020 articles on sustainability. The Tech Brief covers:

What Is Life-Cycle Thinking?
What Tools Can Support LCT?

LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSIS
What Is Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)?
How Can LCCA Be Used?
What Are the Steps Involved in an LCCA for Pavement Design?
When Do Highway Agencies Use LCCA?
What Inputs Are Needed for an LCCA?
What Agency Resources Are Needed?
What Resources and Tools Are Available?

LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT
What Is Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
How Can LCA Be Used?
What Are The Steps Involved In An LCA?
What Are Examples Of LCA Use?
What Data Are Needed For Pavement LCAs?
What Agency Resources Are Needed?
What Resources And Tools Are Available?

ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS
What Is An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?
How Are EPDs Used?
How Are Agencies Using EPDs?
What Agency Resources Are Recommended To Use EPDs?
How Can Agency Use EPDs Today?
How Are EPDs Developed?
What Data Are Considered?
What Is The Current State Of Practice For EPDs For Pavement Materials?
What Are Best Practices For EPD Implementation?
Where Can I Find EPDs?

PRODUCT CATEGORY RULES
What Is A Product Category Rule (PCR)?
What Is The Purpose of PCRs?
What Should The Agency’s Role Be In Ensuring High Quality PCRs?
What Key Questions Should Agencies Ask When Assisting In PCR Development?
How Are PCRs Developed?
What Is The Current State Of Practice For PCRs For Pavement Materials?
Where Can I Find PCRs?

For the 15-page PDF titled “TECH BRIEF: BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE-CYCLE THINKING”, please go to: www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/sustainability/pubs/hif19027.pdf

For the ISCP article titled, “2 FREE 2-Part FHWA “Sustainability” Webinars to be Held: I)April & II)May + I)June & II)July”, please go to: www.concretepavements.org/2020/03/30/free-ii-part-fhwa-sustainability-webinars-to-be-held-iapril-thru-iimay-ijune-thru-iijuly/

For the ISCP article titled, “Two Virtual Meetings Focus on LCA Tool, PCRs, & EPDs”, please go to: www.concretepavements.org/2020/03/29/two-virtual-meetings-focus-on-lca-tool-pcrs-epds/