Sustainability evaluation of geosynthetic and geothermal solutions for transportation infrastructure

Transportation infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including more frequent rainfall and extreme cold weather events. These conditions pose significant challenges to serviceability and durability of infrastructure systems, making sustainability a critical factor in their design and maintenance. Numerous innovative technologies and materials such as geothermal energy systems and novel geosynthetics are gaining attention. Bridge decks are particularly vulnerable to icing compared to ground-level pavements. Shallow geothermal bridge de-icing system offers a sustainable solution for bridge de-icing during extreme cold weather. Similarly, pavements built over expansive soil often suffer from moisture-induced volume changes. The use of wicking geotextiles facilitates lateral moisture drainage and mitigating such distresses. This study presents two real-world case studies conducted in North Texas: (1) a full-scale geothermal bridge de-icing system and (2) field test pavement sections reinforced with wicking geotextiles. Life Cycle Analyses (LCA) were conducted to evaluate their long-term sustainability benefits.