Sustainable Highway Construction Assessment Using Value Engineering-AHP Hybrid Technique

Abstract

This study investigates the imperative for sustainable materials in highway construction, a sector with substantial raw material consumption and environmental impact, representing approximately 40% of global resource use. Using a hybrid Value Engineering (VE) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach, this research rigorously evaluates and ranks sustainable material options by surveying construction professionals across Egypt. The findings highlight Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) as the optimal sustainable choice for surface/wearing layers, with Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) identified as the leading material for base layers. Additional materials, including Warm Mix Asphalt, recycled tire rubber, and geosynthetics, are presented as effective solutions for enhancing sustainability across multiple construction layers. By prioritizing environmentally and economically favourable materials, this VE-AHP framework supports a holistic, multi-criteria approach to sustainability in infrastructure projects. The study provides a valuable reference for practitioners and researchers aiming to make strategic, data-driven decisions that align with sustainability goals in highway development.