In a bid to combat climate change, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has introduced a performance measure aimed at tracking greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation. This initiative, spurred by the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, reflects a $6.4 billion investment program dedicated to carbon reduction strategies and emission-reducing projects for on-road highway sources. However, the focus on tailpipe emissions overlooks a crucial factor influencing transportation emissions: the performance of our road system, write Randolph Kirchain and Hessam Azarijafar, in an opinion piece published at The Hill.
While the transition to electric vehicles is crucial for achieving climate goals, the long lifespan of existing vehicles means that a complete fleet transition will take decades. To address this, states have a lever within their control—their road systems. Investing in a higher-performance road system can enhance efficiency and reduce carbon emissions for all vehicles, irrespective of their power source. Smoother, stiffer roads are key to achieving this, minimizing energy wastage caused by road imperfections and enhancing overall road efficiency.
Road roughness, deflection, and other imperfections contribute to a road’s use-phase emissions, with up to 78 percent of pavement life cycle impact attributed to the use phase. The MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub) suggests that prioritizing concrete paving for high-volume traffic roads can significantly improve ride quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a case study of Missouri indicates an 8 percent reduction in GHG emissions through adopting concrete paving strategies for important thoroughfares.
The FHWA’s new metric and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are commendable steps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from American road networks. However, the call is made to expand the current performance measure to include carbon emissions from road performance. By investing in sustainable physical assets—smoother and stiffer roads—Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can amplify the benefits of these programs. The challenge is set for FHWA to consider road performance in their metrics, acknowledging that efficient roads play a vital role in achieving a greener and more sustainable transportation future.
Read more here: https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/4406945-were-overhauling-our-cars-in-the-name-of-energy-efficiency-why-not-our-roads/