Reduction of construction cost

Pavement recycling can also result in a noticeable reduction in maintenance, rehabilitation or reconstruction cost. This is derived from reduction in asphalt production cost and reduction in transport cost of the material, which is substantial when in situ recycling is selected. 

The percentage of reduction in construction cost varies from project to project, since all factors contributing to the construction cost vary. 

From the first recycling applications conducted in the United States, it was reported that the recycled asphalt production cost, when produced in a stationary plant, ranged between 10% and 39%, depending on the project (Finn 1980 TRB 1978). Similarly, when recycling was conducted in situ, the total reduction in construction cost was on the order of 33%. 

Similar comparative studies in Europe gave lower reduction percentages, that is, lower than 30% (Chappat and Plant 1982 Maraux et al. 1991). It was also found that, in some cases, there was no essential reduction in asphalt production cost when produced in a stationary plant. 

Even though pavement recycling could result in the reduction of construction cost, this alone is not the decisive factor for selecting it. For most countries, conservation of energy and natural resources, environment protection and reduction of atmospheric pollution are the reasons why they embark on pavement recycling for all highway applications. 

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Pavement recycling offers conservation of natural resources and bitumen saving, energy saving, environmental protection and reduction of construction cost. 

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