Funding/Research Supports

NSERC and Government of Ontario

Project Status

Complete

Project Overview

The rise of microplastic pollution has become a critical environmental challenge, especially in urban regions with heavy road use. Road dust has been identified as a major source of microplastics, primarily generated from tire wear, brake wear, and pavement surface degradation. In Canada, with its extensive roadway system and high vehicle usage, the accumulation and distribution of microplastics on asphalt pavements pose potential risks to ecosystems and human health. However, the mechanisms governing their generation, distribution, and characteristics in pavement systems are not yet fully understood.

Funding/Research Supports

NSERC

Project Status

Complete

Project Overview

In cold regions like Canada, winter road maintenance plays a critical role in ensuring safe and reliable transportation. Deicing materials are widely used to mitigate ice formation on pavements; however, their efficiency and environmental impacts vary significantly. Conventional rock salt, although effective, has been associated with infrastructure corrosion and environmental concerns. Therefore, evaluating alternative deicing materials is essential for improving winter maintenance practices.

Project Report

Link to Report: An investigation on the deicing potential of road salt and alternative deicers

Funding/Research Supports

NSERC

Project Status

Complete

Project Overview

In recent years, extreme weather events such as heat waves have gained increasing attention due to their significant impact on transportation infrastructure. Flexible pavements, which are highly sensitive to temperature variations, are particularly vulnerable to prolonged periods of extreme heat. Elevated temperatures can soften asphalt layers, leading to permanent deformation such as rutting, which reduces pavement serviceability and safety. Therefore, understanding the effects of heat waves on pavement performance is essential for developing effective design and maintenance strategies.

Project Report

Link to Report:

Funding/Research Supports

NSERC

Project Status

Complete

Project Overview

The integration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) into transportation systems requires significant improvements in roadway infrastructure and management practices to ensure safe and efficient operation. This research evaluates both the technical requirements of infrastructure and the public perception of AV adoption through a comprehensive survey-based approach.

Project Report

Link to Report: Autonomous vehicle and infrastructure demand: an expert opinion survey

Funding/Research Supports

NSERC

Project Status

Complete

Project Overview

The integration of life cycle assessment (LCA) has become increasingly important in the Canadian pavement industry as a means of addressing environmental impacts associated with construction, operation, and maintenance activities. Recognizing these challenges, this research adopts a structured, multi-stage approach to evaluate current practices and enhance sustainability in asphalt pavement systems. A semi-structured survey of Canadian transportation agencies, industry professionals, and academic researchers revealed key gaps, including the need for standardized guidelines, improved data collection, and centralized databases. Building on these findings, the study quantified environmental emissions from 23 asphalt pavement structures in Ontario, considering different lift thicknesses and traffic conditions through literature review and analytical evaluation.

The study also explores strategies for reducing emissions through material innovation, particularly the incorporation of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Results demonstrate that RAP can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, with scenario analyses supporting its increased use, especially within pavement granular layers. These findings emphasize the importance of material reuse and resource efficiency in advancing sustainable pavement design.

Project Report

Link to Report: Stakeholders’ Perception on Pavement Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Canada

Funding/Research Supports

NSERC

Project Status

Complete

Project Overview

Funding/Research Supports

NSERC & Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)

Project Status

Active

Project Overview

Canada is increasingly challenged by the dual pressures of growing plastic waste accumulation and the need to enhance the performance and durability of pavement infrastructure under cold-climate conditions. Research identifies the incorporation of recycled waste plastics (RWP) into asphalt binders and mixtures as a promising strategy to address both environmental pollution and pavement performance challenges. In cold regions such as Canada, asphalt pavements are highly vulnerable to low temperatures, freeze–thaw cycles, and thermal stresses, which accelerate cracking, moisture damage, and structural deterioration. While plastic-modified asphalt has shown improvements in stiffness, durability, and rutting resistance, its behavior under cold climatic conditions and the potential release of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) due to weathering and runoff require further investigation.

To address these challenges, this research focuses on developing sustainable and climate-resilient asphalt mixtures incorporating recycled plastics for cold-region applications. A combined laboratory and analytical approach is adopted to evaluate rheological, mechanical, thermal, and environmental performance. Waste polymers (HDPE, LDPE, EVA, PP, and PET) are processed and integrated into asphalt binders, followed by testing of binder properties (viscosity, DSR, BBR), aging behavior (RTFO, PAV), and freeze–thaw response. Asphalt mixtures are designed using the Superpave system and evaluated through performance tests including rutting, cracking, fatigue resistance, and moisture susceptibility.

The study also investigates polymer–asphalt interactions and dispersion characteristics using advanced techniques such as FTIR and microscopy, while evaluating adhesion and bonding mechanisms between binder and aggregates. Furthermore, water collected during performance testing is analyzed to quantify microplastic release, enabling assessment of environmental implications compared to conventional asphalt systems.

The goal is to develop optimized asphalt formulations that enhance durability, resilience, and sustainability under Canadian climatic conditions. The research addresses key mechanisms such as thermal cracking, deformation resistance, moisture damage, and environmental impacts associated with recycled plastic integration.

Expected outcomes include improved pavement performance, extended service life, reduced maintenance requirements, and lower environmental footprint through waste plastic utilization. In addition, the research supports the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP) in sustainable materials, pavement engineering, and environmental assessment. Overall, this project advances practical and innovative solutions for integrating recycled plastics into asphalt pavements, contributing to long-term infrastructure sustainability and circular economy practices in cold regions.

Funding/Research Supports

STAR’s TECH

Project Status

Active

Project Overview

Research highlights winter road maintenance as a critical challenge in Canada, where large quantities of conventional road salts are used annually to maintain safe mobility during snow and ice events. While effective for de-icing, traditional salts contribute significantly to environmental degradation, infrastructure corrosion, and increased maintenance costs. Existing alternative de-icing products often present their own environmental and performance limitations, creating the need for more sustainable and effective winter maintenance solutions.

To address these challenges, this research program focuses on evaluating environmentally friendly de-icing and anti-icing materials, including ECO-ST products, for Canadian winter road applications. The study investigates snow and ice melting performance, pavement friction, corrosivity, water quality impacts, and overall field effectiveness compared to conventional road salt and other alternatives. Both laboratory and multi-season field testing are employed to assess performance under realistic winter weather and pavement conditions.

The goal is to develop sustainable winter road maintenance strategies that improve roadway safety while reducing environmental impacts and infrastructure deterioration. The project will produce practical guidelines, decision-support tools, and application strategies for optimized use of alternative de-icing materials, supporting safer, greener, and more cost-effective winter maintenance operations across Canada.

Funding/Research Supports

Regional Municipality of Niagara

Project Status

Active

Project Overview

Canada has been significantly impacted by climate change, experiencing rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. Pavements, especially asphalt and flexible types, are vulnerable to climate stressors like temperature variations, precipitation, wind speed, and water table changes, leading to rutting, cracking, and roughness. Freeze-thaw cycles further exacerbate pavement distress in colder regions. Addressing these impacts requires a comprehensive understanding of climatic stressors, life cycle assessments, and innovative maintenance strategies. This research is structured in five phases to improve pavement management in Niagara Region under changing climate and traffic conditions. Phase I evaluates the feasibility of implementing weigh-in-motion (WIM) sensors by assessing technical, economic, operational, and managerial aspects, and reviewing global best practices to understand how accurate traffic loading data can enhance pavement performance modelling, maintenance decisions, regulatory enforcement, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Phase II develops predictive pavement performance models using mathematical and machine-learning approaches to assess the impacts of climate change and determine condition-based thresholds for indices such as IRI and PCI under various climate scenarios. Phase III focuses on estimating excessive fuel consumption and associated GHG emissions caused by deteriorated pavement conditions through calibration of the HDM-4 fuel consumption model and evaluating the combined effects of climate and pavement performance. Phase IV assesses short- and long-term climate risks to pavement infrastructure and prioritizes adaptation strategies based on regional risk tolerance. Phase V integrates the findings into multi-objective optimization models to support cost-effective, resilient, and environmentally sustainable pavement maintenance decisions.

Expected outcomes include improved pavement performance prediction, optimized maintenance strategies, reduced lifecycle costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions under changing climate conditions. The research will also support the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP) in pavement analytics, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure management. Overall, the project will advance practical and resilient pavement management solutions for long-term transportation infrastructure sustainability.

Funding/Research Supports

Ontario Ministry of Transportation/ Ministère des Transports de l’Ontario

Project Status

Active

Project Overview

Safety and efficiency of Ontario highways may be greatly compromised in winter seasons due to dramatically deteriorated driving conditions caused by snowfall and ice formation. The objective of this research is to continue our previous efforts in evaluating alternative winter maintenance materials, equipment, and application methods. The project is motivated by the need to seek the most sustainable ways to maintain the safety and mobility of Ontario’s highway system. While MTO has established maintenance service standards and best practices for winter road maintenance, there is a need for developing innovative materials and technologies for reduced material application and increased effectiveness.

This research is to support MTO’s initiatives to evaluate innovative ideas on winter maintenance materials, application methods and equipment. While the exact scope of the research will be determined with MTO maintenance group, one of the focusing areas could be the development of optimal application rates for new environment friendly de-icing materials such as potassium acetate for Northern Ontario.