GREENING THE ROADS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The construction industry in Singapore is highly dependent on the import of natural aggregates such as crushed stones, sand and gravel, to provide as construction materials due to the lack of natural resources found within the country. Not only is this costly because of the escalated import cost, the process of material extraction for these aggregates will result in undesirable consequences to the environment, and its utilization will ultimately deplete finite natural resources. Road construction is considered to be one of the construction sectors in Singapore which makes use of most of these imported natural aggregates. Thus, in order to maintain the current standard of road development and yet respond to the local government’s call to create a sustainable built environment, it is essential to look into ways in which alternative materials can be used to effectively replace conventional natural aggregates. This paper aims to advocate the use of recycled green materials in local road construction industry by looking into the uses of the respective road layers and analyzing the material properties of 3 possible materials namely the Recycled Shredded Tyres, Incinerator Bottom Ash and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements. In order to ensure that the physical properties of these materials are suitable for its use in Singapore’s road environment, their properties will be analyzed using the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s Materials & Workmanship (M&W) Specification for Civil and Structural Works, as a guideline to conclude their feasibility as an alternative green road material, which can be used replace conventional road materials in the future. Possible concerns regarding the use of these materials in Singapore and their solutions will also be studied, to provide for a clearer picture with regards to the greening of Singapore’s road in the years to come.