The software reports life cycle impact assessment results by activity stage and enables easy comparison of different design options. The inventory results comprise the flows from and to nature: energy and raw material flows, plus emissions to air, water and land. Built using the same methodology as the well-established Impact Estimator for Buildings, it provides a life cycle inventory profile for a given three-dimensional roadway design.
The Athena Pavement LCA tool is an LCA-based software package that makes life cycle assessment data easily accessible to roadway decision-makers. The Athena Institute is interested in hearing from potential partners in the further development of this tool for other N.
The earlier software prototype and beta version was developed in association with transportation engineers at Morrison Hershfield, and was funded by Environment Canada. This software was made possible by support from the Cement Association of Canada and Athena Institute members. The software allows for quick and easy comparison of multiple design options over a range of expected roadway lifespans. Users can also input use-phase operating energy and apply built-in pavement vehicle interaction algorithms, if desired, to be included in the final LCA results. The software includes a large equipment and materials database and the flexibility to specify unique pavement systems – sub-base and base granular materials as well as hot and warm mix asphalt and a host of user-specified concrete mix designs. It allows custom roadway design, or users can draw from a library of over 150 existing roadway designs. This software tool provides environmental LCA results for Canadian and select US regional materials manufacturing, roadway construction and maintenance life cycle stages. Athena Pavement LCA is a free LCA-based software package that measures environmental impact of Canadian and US roadway designs.
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