Getting some resistance? Key to energy-efficient pavement is rolling resistance

There is evidence that it is possible to reduce the overall energy consumption of a road link by choosing a maintenance option that influences the road surface characteristics in order to gain a more favorable rolling resistance. In this way, road maintenance can be used to reduce both total energy use and emissions of greenhouse gases. This article discusses a cooperative formed in 2010 between road authorities and research institutes in Europe and the U.S. (Models for Rolling Resistance in Road Infrastructure Asset Management Systems - MIRIAM) using a life cycle analysis framework to provide a sustainable and more environmentally friendly road infrastructure by developing an integrated methodology for improved control of road transport CO₂ emissions, as well as case studies that were performed in Sweden where traffic- and pavement-management-induced actions were investigated in detail.