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Nationwide Recycled Aggregates Volunteer Registry | Scaling the Ontario Example

Abstract

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) hold significant promise for advancing sustainable road construction practices through waste reduction and resource conservation. However, the lack of a standardized data collection method for assessing the quantities and geographic distribution of recycled aggregate resources has impeded the development of effective policies and informed decision-making in this domain. In 2019, Ontario initiated a groundbreaking effort to address this challenge by utilizing satellite imagery to gather such information. This initiative gained traction and evolved into an unofficial voluntary stockpile registry in the province administered by Good Roads (previously Ontario Good Roads Association). Over several years, Good Roads conducted surveys across various sectors, yielding valuable insights into material quantities, local RAP management practices, adoption by transportation agencies, and location-specific data on annual usage. Now, leveraging the success of Ontario’s approach, Good Roads and the National Research Council of Canada are collaborating to extend this model to a national scale across Canada. The methodology involves identifying RAP and RCA stakeholders in Canadian provinces, surveying stakeholders to collect data on actual quantities of RAP and RCA, and utilizing satellite image analysis to supplement data collection in areas where information is lacking. This paper will provide an overview of RAP trends and stockpiles in Ontario for the year 2024, along with preliminary findings from the ongoing 2024 Canada-wide study on RAP and RCA quantification. Through this collaborative effort, we aim to enhance understanding and support the sustainable utilization of recycled aggregates in road construction practices across Canada.

Conference Paper Details

Session title:
Testing, Modelling and Innovation for Roadway/Embankment Materials and Geotechnical Engineering
Author(s):
Mneina, Amin
Smith, James
Topics:
Soils and materials
Year:
2024