Freight movement emits GHGs and undermines pavement – adding additional emissions from pavement maintenance & rehabilitation (M&R) treatments. This study predicts the carbon footprint of freight movement and pavement maintenance on regional highways of Atlantic provinces of Canada. Integration of environmental analysis within a spatial input-output model estimates equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) and CO2 emissions on regional highways for a 30 years period. ESALs combined with observed pavement strength, result in the generation of pavement deterioration curves. The curves are used for performance-based optimization to estimate necessary pavement maintenance operations. A total 1.279 million tons of CO2 and 1.403 – 1.755 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent GHGs will emit from predicted fuel consumption and pavement surface treatments during 2012-2041.
