Life-Cycle Cost Analysis for Traditional and Permeable Pavements

摘要

Cost is an important factor for owners and communities when considering the selection of pavement types for parking lots and sidewalks. Sustainabilty has also become an important factor. Permeable pavements, which have been shown to be more sustainable than traditional pavement types, are an attractive option given their advantages of reducing rainwater runoff, recharging ground water, and reducing the costs associated with treating storm water. A comprehensive study was conducted to analyze and compare the life-cycle costs of two conventional impermeable pavements (hot-mix asphalt and portland cement concrete) and two permeable pavements (porous asphalt and pervious concrete). The study analyzed the alternatives in 20-year, 30-year, and 40-year analysis periods. In addition to initial construction and maintenance costs, stormwater treatment costs were included in the life cycle cost analysis for all alternatives in areas that have combined sewer and storm systems. The results show that hot mix asphalt has the lowest initial construction costs, while permeable pavements are considerably more economical than impermeable pavements in terms of maintenance costs. If stormwater treatment costs are accounted for, permeable pavements are more economical for 20-year and 30-year period analysis. In the 40-year analysis period, portland cement concrete is the most economical followed by porous asphalt, hot-mix asphalt, and then pervious concrete.