EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT FROM CONSTRUCTION OF RC UNDERPASS IN A TRAFFIC-CONGESTION INTERSECTION

Abstract

It is significant to evaluate the social and environmental benefits of the civil engineering structures. However, the environmental benefit has not been treated in the design of a structure. In this study, a direct environmental impact due to the construction of RC underpass in a traffic-congestion intersection and an indirect environmental-impact reduction effects by the clearance of traffic congestion are comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that CO₂ and SOx are mostly discharged at the manufacturing of materials and NOx at the execution of the structure and that the environmental impact at the construction of the underpass is counterbalanced in an approximately 9 year by the environmental-impact reduction from the car traffics.