Why we need sustainable design
Unsealed road pavements
Infrastructure has a pivotal role to play in regional development.[ ]
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
What is Sustainability?
“Meeting the needs of the present population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED)
“Infrastructure that is designed, constructed and operated to optimise social, environmental and economic outcomes of the long term.”Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA)
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
80%
“Local roads
represent almost 80 per centof all roads in Australia, when
measured in kilometres. In rural, regional and remote Australia, these
roads are often the biggest single factor for business efficiency, domestic and
export market success, social connectedness and community safety.
These roads are failing to support efficient agricultural business.”
According to Australian Rural Roads Group, 2014
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
• Around 500,000 kilometres with about 400,000 kilometres under the jurisdiction of Local Council (double that of sealed roads)
• Value of about AUD 12 billion, but AUD 2.3 billion in a poor or very poor state
• Maintenance budget of AUD1 billion per year
• Important to rural (agricultural) development, access (e.g. medical centres and schools)
The facts
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
Sustainability the change in focus
“The early decades of the 21st Century will see a change in the focus of environmental reporting in roads agencies, from the current practise of environmental management’ which seeks to minimise ecological disturbance, to a second generation of reporting that expands this scope to include sustainable development associated considerations, …and the potential for alternative ‘low-carbon’ options.Such a shift in focus will form an important part of a road authority’s approach, to issues of growing concern such as increasing energy costs and increasing impacts from climate change, such as greater weather damage to road infrastructure.”
A Literature Review of Sustainability Performance Assessment Road Agencies for the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre (2014).
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
• Sustainable design of unsealed roads can positively effect social, environmental and health factors.
• It can reduce carbon emissions, pollution and decrease the depletion of natural resources.
• Economic benefits in regards to fuel consumption, construction and maintenance costs can also be achieved.
Sustainable design
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OutcomesSocial
EnvironmentalEconomic
CategoriesManagement Systems
LandProcurement & Purchasing
WasteClimate Change Adaptation
EcologyEnergy & Carbon
Community Health, Wellbeing & SafetyWater
HeritageMaterials
Stakeholder ParticipationDischarges to Air, Land & Water
Urban and Landscape designInnovation
Outcomes and categories
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Infrastructure phases
1. Design• Pavement thickness – save by reducing thickness• Material properties – save by using local materials
2. Construction• Methods and equipment – save by using appropriate types and processes• Haulage – save by reducing haulage
3. Operation/maintenance• Management system – save by effective modelling, planning and execution• Type of maintenance and materials – save by using the most appropriate
materials
Sustainable design
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
Material propertiesSustainable design
Linking material properties to sustainability outcomes: • Slipperiness: road safety• Dust: road safety & health• Erosion: sediment• Gravel loss: use of natural resources• Roughness: road safety & vehicle operating cost
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
ExamplesSustainable design
Example of the effect of material type on sustainability outcome –significantly different outcomes
Effect of material type on emissions – quantification required to assess sustainability
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
Example of the effect of material type on sustainability outcome
051015202530
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0
Gra
vel l
oss/
IRI
Dust
/Slip
perin
ess
Wearing course type
Dust, PM10 (kg/VKT) Slipperiness Gravel loss/yr (mm) IRI increase/yr (IRI)
AURECON ON SUSTAINABLE ROADS
Effect of material type on emissions
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
Aust avgPI=12
GradC avgT2.5
Doonan rdsample 1
Laterite/GEH Calcrete QLDsandstone
QLD whiterock
WC1 WC2
CO2
eq (T
onne
)
Wearing course type
Sustainable designUnsealed roads can be designed to be more sustainable
• Desired outcomes – Social, environmental and economic
• Optimise – Design, construction and maintenance
• Models and approaches are available, but must be linked to sustainability outcomes
• Can add value if quantified and used
Read more on our website!
Contact
Ian Van WijkTechnical Director, Aurecon+61 7 31738963 [email protected]
