The eastbound Beltline Highway (US 12/18) from Whitney Way to Seminole Highway, a 1.5 mile stretch, is undergoing a reconstruction and expansion three lanes from fall 2014 to spring 2016. The RMRC research team proposes to use this project to better determine a methodology for gathering the data needed for the inputs of the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) tool, PaLATE, as well as assess the benefits of using recycled materials in the project. The project will be used in preparation for more analyses of member-state roads. Examples of user inputs include material volumes, road dimensions, equipment used, etc. During past research, the research team has been unable to utilize LCA and LCCA technology without making significant assumptions for the inputs. The Beltline project offers an opportunity to develop a method for data collection that could eliminate assumptions from the analyses.
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