INDUSTRY PERCEPTIONS OF THE TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF RUBBER-MODIFIED ASPHALT FOR SUSTAINABLE ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJIREV.826058Keywords:
Circular Economy, End-Of-Life Tires (ELTS), Rubber-Modified Asphalt (RMA), Stakeholder Perceptions, Sustainable Pavement EngineeringAbstract
The rapid accumulation of end-of-life tires (ELTs coupled with the increasing demand for sustainable road infrastructure, has intensified research efforts into alternative pavement materials. Rubber-modified asphalt (RMA) has emerged as a promising solution, offering a dual-benefit approach by enhancing pavement performance while simultaneously addressing the environmental challenges associated with waste tire disposal. This study evaluates industry stakeholders' perceptions regarding the technical performance and environmental benefits of integrating waste rubber into asphalt matrices for sustainable road and highway engineering. A quantitative survey was administered to 50 key industry professionals comprising contractors, site engineers, technical consultants, and representatives from municipal authorities in Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS through descriptive statistics and reliability analyses. The findings showed strong stakeholder support for adopting rubber-modified asphalt (RMA), particularly for pavement longevity and durability (mean = 4.04), structural load performance (mean = 4.00), and traffic load adaptability (mean = 3.99). From an environmental perspective, the utilization of waste tires was perceived as the most significant benefit (mean = 3.95), followed by reductions in embodied greenhouse gas emissions (mean = 3.94) and the conservation of natural resources (mean = 3.94). In contrast, RMA received comparatively lower agreement for noise-reduction capability (mean = 3.14). Overall, the results indicate broad industry acceptance of RMA and underscore its potential as a sustainable pavement material that enhances roadway performance while supporting environmentally responsible waste management practices.
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References
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