Development of a statistical/mechanistic model to predict the consumption of nonrenewable materials in highway construction programs

Highway construction, as one of major consumers of nonrenewable resources, is responsible for achieving sustainability with respect to materials and structures. These materials are exhaustible. Access to these aggregate resources is increasingly limited by growing environmental regulations and permitting requirements. This research was conducted to evaluate the current and future supplies of nonrenewable resources required to support highway construction activities, analyze past and current rates of consumption with allowances for reuse and recycling efforts. This analysis will then provide information to develop a model for predicting and analyzing future construction needs, and to outline a preliminary management approach to help achieving highway construction sustainability. Data were obtained from highway construction projects throughout the state of Florida during the years 1986 to 1995. More than 750 activities were selected for study from a total of approximately 17 thousand activities, performed in the 10 years period were chosen. These activities involved approximately 2000 contracts between the Florida Department of Transportation and 100 contractors over the 10 years period.