Potential impact of climate change on porous asphalt with a focus on winter damage

This chapter investigates the impact and adaptation options of climate change on porous asphalt (PA) roads, specifically for the case of winter weather (freeze-thaw cycles) and road damage in the Netherlands. Changes in weather patterns pose a threat to the serviceability and long-term performance of roads, as up to half of road maintenance costs are attributable to weather stresses. Current climate change impact research often produces results on a systemic, macroscale, and less is known about the regional impact to specific road types. To address this, the chapter examines the correlation between historic winter weather and PA pavement performance, which is particularly sensitive to the freezing/thawing phenomena. The combination of Rijkswaterstaat's (the Dutch ministerial road authority) reputation for long-term planning, strict maintenance procedures and recent budget constraints further highlights the need for adaptation analysis that addresses their organization and regional priorities, not only sector-wide concerns.