Enhancing climate resilience and sustainability of road infrastructure through advanced pavement materials and electrified roads
Mitacs Grant Supplement - 2026
Description
Climate change is putting increasing pressure on Quebec’s road infrastructure. Increased temperature variability, more frequent freeze-thaw cycles, and seasonal variations in humidity are accelerating pavement degradation, leading to cracking, rutting, and loss of structural capacity. At the same time, the transportation sector remains one of the main emitters of greenhouse gases, while the electrification of vehicles is hampered by the current limitations of batteries and charging infrastructure.
This project aims to simultaneously address these adaptation and mitigation challenges by combining two complementary levers: the development of resilient, low-carbon road materials and the evaluation of electric roads incorporating inductive charging systems in motion. Together, these approaches make it possible to strengthen the robustness of road infrastructure in the face of climate hazards while supporting the transition to carbon-free mobility.
Objectives
- Evaluating resilient pavement materials for Quebec's climate: Developing and characterizing low-carbon asphalt mixes incorporating recycled asphalt aggregates (RAA) and modified binders to improve resistance to cold weather, freeze-thaw cycles, and moisture, while reducing the need for virgin materials and associated emissions.
- Advancing electric roads as a long-term adaptation and mitigation solution: Studying the structural performance of pavements incorporating inductive charging systems for electric vehicles, with the aim of ensuring their durability and reliability under Quebec's harsh climatic conditions and developing appropriate design guidelines.
Case study / Use case
- High-traffic road pavements in cold climates: Application of resilient asphalt mixes on urban and interurban roads exposed to frequent freeze-thaw cycles, in order to reduce maintenance requirements and improve safety and service continuity.
- Electrified road corridors in urban or suburban areas: Evaluation of roads incorporating inductive charging for electric buses or commercial fleets, enabling smaller batteries, improved range, and support for large-scale electrification.
- Decision support tools for public managers: Development of technical recommendations based on laboratory and full-scale testing (heavy traffic simulator, FWD testing) to guide the design, planning, and investment in resilient and sustainable road infrastructure.
Don’t just coexist with climate change.
