Net zero is finally in grasp of local authorities, with the potential to remove carbon from the highway maintenance process higher than ever for those implementing surface treatments into their strategies.
This is one of the conclusions after the publication of the second edition of the Road Surface Treatments Association’s (RSTA) Carbon Emissions Document at the RSTA Annual Conference, taking place on the 10th April at the Celtic Manor Hotel in Wales.
This project builds on the work completed on the 1st edition released in 2023. The key focus this time, was /around is the transitioning life cycle assessment (LCA) of highway maintenance treatments from section A (product stage) to now include section B (use stage).
The methodology for the research adheres to already established standards, including BS EN 15804+A2 and BS EN 17472:2022.
This time around 19 RSTA member companies took part contributing figures towards the project, up from 14 in 2023, introducing new surface treatments.
The results are presented in kgCO2e per m2, enabling understanding of a highway project’s potential carbon impact.
BS EN 15804 is a European standard that provides core rules for the product category of construction products, specifically for creating Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and harmonising the declaration and calculation of their environmental performance.
This standard, covers maintenance, highway repairs, replacement and refurbishment.
Mike Hansford, Chief Executive of the RSTA said: ““The RSTA is very excited to launch Edition 2 of our carbon guidance, which documents a longer term, whole life, carbon assessment of treatments and materials.
“This document will support local highway authorities and road operators, who are tasked with making strategic and operational decisions linked to carbon reduction, in support of their net zero aspirations. This project has been made possible with contributions from member organisations, working in conjunction with PYE Management.
“The Future Roads Minister, Lillian Greenwood, spoke recently about decarbonisation of highway maintenance, and this document provides evidence that these opportunities exist,” he added.
Also this year, as part of the report, different scenarios were created comparing the carbon output of some surface treatments with resurfacing. This includes expanded analysis of life cycle examples over a 60-year periods.
Emma Pye, Director of Pye Management, who researched and wrote the report added: “I am so excited by the results of this year’s report. They show that, more than ever, there is a clear argument that surface treatments are significantly more carbon efficient compared to other maintenance treatments such as resurfacing. At a time when many local authorities need to meet climate targets by 2050, net zero is finally in their grasp.”
Read the full report here: https://www.rsta-uk.org/edition-2-carbon-guidance-launch