Circular economy gained a presence in policy statements made by NRAs in Europe in the early 2010s. However, there was limited progress in translating the concept to reality in any holistic sense in the early years. There are examples of the application by NRAs of individual aspects that could contribute to CE, such as improving resource consumption, incorporating reused and recycled materials into asphalt and designing out waste. However, by the late 2010s, while it was recognised that CE could deliver economic, environmental and social benefits and was key to achieving net zero carbon emissions, there was still no actual evidence of systemic development and integration of circular economy approaches into major road infrastructure projects.
Deliverable 4.3 (available to download here> ) presents the third of three case studies that explores the practical implementation of RE and CE principles in the delivery of road infrastructure projects. The objective was to identify the strategies that can be adopted by NRAs to embed RE and CE thinking in their organisation
and supply chain. Information has been gathered through interviews with organisations in the UK, Netherlands and Ireland, and reviews of published reports, surrounding documents and information provided during discussions.
These CERCOM case studies will test the validity of the risk-based approach developed in WP3 over a range of technical areas (new material applications, recycling, and innovative technologies) at different levels of development and maturity.
A sensitivity analysis will be undertaken to evaluate the robustness of the model results, identify the model boundaries (sensitivity to uncertain parameters), and assess the availability and reliability of the input data. The analysis of the case studies will uncover the difficulties and highlight the opportunities for the implementation of RE & CE principles.
Case studies I & II - Protocol and results
The major objective of this report is to demonstrate the validity of the Risk-Based Analysis Framework (RBAF) developed as part of the CERCOM project (in Deliverables D3.1 and D3.2) through technical case studies covering a range of pavement maintenance options.
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Case study III – NRAs Strategic Approach to Transitioning to CE
This case study explores the practical implementation of RE and CE principles in the delivery of road infrastructure projects. The objective was to identify strategies adopted by NRAs to embed RE and CE thinking in their organisation and supply chain.
These CERCOM case studies will test the validity of the risk-based approach developed in WP3 over a range of technical areas (new material applications, recycling, and innovative technologies) at different levels of development and maturity.
A sensitivity analysis will be undertaken to evaluate the robustness of the model results, identify the model boundaries (sensitivity to uncertain parameters), and assess the availability and reliability of the input data. The analysis of the case studies will uncover the difficulties and highlight the opportunities for the implementation of RE & CE principles.
Case studies I & II - Protocol and results
The major objective of this report is to demonstrate the validity of the Risk-Based Analysis Framework (RBAF) developed as part of the CERCOM project (in Deliverables D3.1 and D3.2) through technical case studies covering a range of pavement maintenance options.
Read More
Case study III – NRAs Strategic Approach to Transitioning to CE
This case study explores the practical implementation of RE and CE principles in the delivery of road infrastructure projects. The objective was to identify strategies adopted by NRAs to embed RE and CE thinking in their organisation and supply chain.