Estimation of pavement-related fuel consumption using various PVI models

Abstract: The fuel consumption of vehicles is impacted by the pavement surface and structural characteristics and is termed as excess fuel consumption (EFC) due to pavement-vehicle interactions (PVI). Estimation of EFC is necessary to quantify the contribution of pavements to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, an important input currently missing in the use stage of a pavement lifecycle assessment (LCA). Since the late 1900s, several PVI models have been developed considering the pavement surface characteristics (PSC) such as roughness and macrotexture, as well as structural response (SR) using pavement deflection. In this study various mechanistic and empirical PVI models developed to estimate EFC have been identified and categorized. Using practical ranges, the sensitivity of select models to input values were studied and an attempt was made to quantify the contribution of the PVI subfactors (roughness, macrotexture, structural response) to EFC. The ease of use of these models is also demonstrated through case studies performed at project- and network-levels. Challenges to be anticipated while performing analysis for full life cycle of the pavement, and short-term analysis to study impacts of pavement activities on EFC have been identified. Lastly, gaps and limitations of the PVI models have also been noted for consideration when estimating EFC.