Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2026
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering
Department
Civil Engineering
First Advisor
MD SAHADAT HOSSAIN
Abstract
This study evaluates the environmental and economic performance of plastic-modified asphalt pavements in two contrasting regional contexts: developing and developed country. Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), the research compares conventional asphalt sections with plastic road alternatives based on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cost and potential carbon earnings. The analysis includes cradle-to-laid and cradle-to-grave system boundaries, sensitivity analyses of major emission drivers, and comparative assessments of regional production conditions.
In Dhaka, plastic road alternatives were found to reduce the cradle-to-laid emission by up to 46.4%. Over a 40-year service life, the decrease in frequency of the projected maintenance and end-of-life activities of plastic roads increases the reduction in overall emissions to 69%. In Dallas, the plastic-modified overlay reduced the cradle-to-laid emissions by up to 8% reduction. In contrast, this reduction potential increases to 44.3% over a 40-year service life.
An extended life cycle cost analysis was also conducted considering the potential carbon earnings based on different carbon credit pricing scenarios. It was determined that every kilometer of plastic road in Dhaka, Bangladesh can earn a potential carbon revenue of up to $166,504.20 while the plastic road in the USA can earn up to $13,157.49 over a 40-year service life. Although long-term analysis found that majority of the savings were mainly attributed to the avoidance of carbon-intensive maintenance activities, this additional revenue improves the economic attractiveness of the plastic roads. Overall, the findings demonstrate that plastic roads represent a technically viable, lower-carbon, and economically feasible infrastructure that can support sustainable waste management and transportation planning in both developing and developed regions.
Keywords
Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, Plastic Road, GHG, Sustainability, Carbon Credit
Disciplines
Civil Engineering
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Caram, Rosabelle Louise A., "A Comparative Study of the GHG Emissions of Plastic Road Alternatives in Dhaka, Bangladesh and Dallas, Texas" (2026). Civil Engineering Dissertations. 3.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/civilengineering_dissertations2/3