INTEGRATED LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSIS CONSIDERING ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS: A HIGHWAY PROJECT CASE

Concerns over the environment have spawned a number of research studies in the construction industry, as the construction of built environments and large infrastructures involves diverse environmental impacts and loads of hazardous emissions. Many researchers have attempted to quantify these environmental loads, including greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, to name a few. However, little research has been conducted regarding integrating the life-cycle assessment (LCA) of environmental loads with the current life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) approach. This study aims to estimate the environmental loads as a monetary value using the European Climate Exchange (ECX) rate and, then, to integrate those impacts with the pure construction cost. Toward this end, this study suggests an integrated approach that takes into account the environmental effect on the evaluation of the life-cycle cost (LCC). The bill of quantity (BOQ) data of a real highway project are collected and analyzed for this purpose. As a result, considering the environmental loads in the pavement process, the total LCC increased 16% from the traditional LCC cost. This study suggests an integrated approach that will account the environmental effect on the LCC. Additionally, this study is expected to contribute to better decision-making, from the perspective of more sustainable development, for government as well as for contractors.