Innovation in Road Construction Industry: An Analysis of Different Case Studies
Abstract
Process improvement and innovation in the field of road construction sector offers
significant community and industry benefits, by making an important contribution
in economic growth and enhancing the quality of life. However, achieving better
innovative practices in order to improve existing construction processes and to heighten
competitiveness have gradually become a challenge for the road industry. The use of
innovation in this context refers to the use of suitable materials in the construction of
road, material such as eco-friendly roads, solar roads and recycled materials. This paper
examines 12 different case studies on the uses of new material in road construction
and where case studies are from different countries in different context and explores
the usefulness of the practices under numerous road situation and conditions. The case
studies have been analyzed in the following context: location of the case study, which
helps to identify the suitability of road construction material with the weather condition;
driving factors, which indicates, how and what selected case studies contribute in the
field of innovation; economy and environment feasibility; and barriers in the case studies,
which indicates hurdles to implement selected case studies. The study findings indicate
that in order to maintain competitiveness, construction industry needs to continuously
focus on the improvement of their construction processes and innovative materials.
Finding indicates that in most case studies both economic and environmental benefits
were realized.
Collections
- Theme 2: Materials and Transportation Engineering [43 items ]