National Center for Sustainable Transportation

The goal of this study was to develop a framework and first order estimate of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the build-out and maintenance and rehabilitation of the world’s roadway infrastructure networks from 2020 to 2050. The GHG emissions from road pavement emissions, bridges, and maintenance and rehabilitation were calculated by decade based on the existing road networks and the modelling of their expansion. For comparison, the GHG emissions from vehicle manufacture and operation were estimated. Regional comparisons and sensitivity analyses were then performed. Based on one mid-range scenario, GHG emissions from new road construction account for roughly 0.1 to 4% of regional road transportation GHG emissions depending on the region; existing road maintenance accounts for 0.32 to 3%; vehicle manufacturing for 4 to 13% of regional GHG emissions; vehicle operation accounts for 82% to 93% of regional GHG emissions; and road roughness is responsible for approximately 2% of the total system impacts.

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