The overall effects of road works on global warming gas emissions

Road characteristics influence the amount of pollution generated by traffic. They govern the rolling resistance, which includes: the viscoelastic behaviour of the pavement structure, surface texture, and profile unevenness. Road works are performed on a periodic basis to maintain these characteristics at proper levels of service (e.g. safety, comfort, and noise). While such works produce additional pollution (due to congestion around worksites or extra fuel consumption along the detour route), they still result in less pollution over the long term. This article assesses the balance between an increase in gas emissions during road works and the reduction in emissions from traffic once the works are completed. It is demonstrated that when road works are introduced to correct longitudinal profiles, rather than texture, the emissions benefit is substantial.