Yol Kaplamalarının Sürdürülebilirliği ve Yaşam Döngüsü Analizi (LCA): Araştırma Eğilimleri ve Zorluklarına Yönelik Bir Bibliyometrik Analiz (2014-2024)

Abstract

Son on yılda, yol kaplaması sürdürülebilirliği ve yaşam döngüsü değerlendirmesi (LCA) konularında yapılan çalışmalar, karayolu inşaatında artan maliyetler ve iklimsel hassasiyetler ile azalan kaynaklara yanıt olarak ana araştırma konuları olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu makale yol kaplamalarının sürdürülebilirliği ve LCA alanında ikili bir analiz önermektedir: çalışma bir yandan, Web of Science veritabanından 296 yayından oluşan bir külliyata dayanan nicel bir bibliyometrik çalışmaya odaklanırken diğer yandan 2014 ve 2024 yılları arasında yayınlanan 20 temsili makalenin derinlemesine bir nitel analizi yapılmıştır. Nicel analiz aşamasında araştırma eğilimleri, kilit oyuncular (önemli araştırmacılar) ve ana bilimsel konuları haritalamak için Bibliometrix ve VOSviewer araçları kullanılmıştır. Çalışma sonuçları, yayın hacminde sürekli bir büyüme, önemli bir coğrafi yoğunlaşma (özellikle Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, Çin ve Avrupa'da) ve ayrıca çevresel LCA (E-LCA) ve yol yapılarında geri dönüştürülmüş malzemelerin kullanımı gibi yaklaşımlara artan bir ilgi olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Nitel inceleme, sosyal LCA, materyal optimizasyonu ve karar destek araçlarının kullanımı dahil olmak üzere kullanılan metodolojilerin çeşitlendirilmesini vurgulamaktadır. Bununla birlikte, verilerin heterojenliği, bağlamsal parametrelerin standardizasyonunun olmaması ve sosyal boyutların dikkate alınmaması dahil olmak üzere bazı sınırlamalar devam etmektedir. Sonuç olarak, çalışma, kaplamaları ekolojik geçişin merkezi bir kolu olarak konumlandırarak, sürdürülebilir yol altyapısı üzerine gelecekteki araştırmaların tutarlılığını, karşılaştırılabilirliğini ve etkisini güçlendirmek için somut yollar önermektedir.

Keywords

• Bibliyometrik
• Geri dönüştürülmüş malzemeler
• Kaplama Dayanıklılığı
• Yaşam Döngüsü Değerlendirmesi (LCA).

Sustainability of Road Pavements and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends and Challenges (2014-2024)

Abstract

Over the past decade, research on road pavement sustainability and life cycle assessment (LCA) has gained increasing attention in response to rising construction costs, climate-related challenges, and the depletion of natural resources in highway infrastructure. This study presents a dual analytical approach to investigate the scientific development of sustainability and LCA in road pavement research. First, a quantitative bibliometric analysis was conducted on a dataset of 296 publications retrieved from the Web of Science database. Second, an in-depth qualitative review of 20 representative articles published between 2014 and 2024 was performed to examine methodological developments and research directions. Bibliometric tools, including Bibliometrix and VOSviewer, were employed to identify research trends, leading authors, collaborative networks, and dominant scientific themes. The results reveal a steady growth in publication output, with a marked geographical concentration of research activity in the United States, China, and Europe. Increasing attention has also been observed toward environmental LCA (E-LCA) approaches and the integration of recycled materials in pavement construction. The qualitative analysis highlights the diversification of methodological approaches, including the growing application of social LCA, material optimization strategies, and decision-support tools in sustainable pavement design. Nevertheless, several limitations persist, particularly regarding data heterogeneity, the lack of standardized contextual parameters, and the limited integration of social sustainability dimensions. By synthesizing current research trends and methodological developments, this study provides recommendations to enhance the consistency, comparability, and overall impact of future research on sustainable road infrastructure, positioning pavement systems as a key component of the ecological transition.

Keywords

• Bibliometrics
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Recycled Materials
• Road Pavement Sustainability.

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