Life-cycle cost analysis is an effective decision-making tool for pavement designers and highway agencies. Given adequate historical data on asphalt performance and the use of rational pavement design methods, the designer can readily determine which pavement design alternative is the most cost-effective for the particular location. The use of high-performance, premium materials and new, enhanced technologies in asphalt pavement construction provide benefits to the roadway owner and user when their costs are considered over the increased service life of the pavement. The implementation of timely, systematic asphalt pavement maintenance and rehabilitation enhances the use of these materials and methods and improves their overall cost-effectiveness. Life-cycle cost analyses indicate that improvements in pavement smoothness, quality control through end-result specifications and use of high quality materials such as performance graded asphalt cement, heavy duty binder course and stone mastic asphalt mixes substantially reduce the overall life-cycle costs of the asphalt pavement. This is particularly evident for higher volume roads and when user costs such as delay are considered. The elements of pavement life-cycle cost analysis, design considerations and the impact of hot-mix asphalt materials and technology advancements made in Ontario over the last 10 to 15 years are presented. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E211271.
Abstract