Use of Warm-Mix Asphalt and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement to Reduce Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The asphalt pavement industry has continuously aimed to generate environmental benefits for communities through advanced technologies. Two key technologies are WMA, which reduces energy use during production, and RAP, which reduces the need for virgin materials. These technologies demonstrate the potential of asphalt pavements to reduce GHG emissions. Using historical industry production data, our reduction calculations are based on publicly available data and emission factors published by government agencies, industry, and non-governmental organizations. A detailed overview of the methodology and assumptions used to calculate energy and GHG emission reduction estimates is available in Appendix C of the National Asphalt Pavement Association-Federal Highway Administration report “Asphalt Pavement Industry Survey on Recycled Materials and Warm-Mix Asphalt Usage 2019.” GHG emissions are reported in metric tons (tonne) of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) emissions to be consistent with emission inventories published by the U.S. EPA and other government agencies.