New research targets sustainability in roads and rural transit

Illinois Center for Transportation is expanding its research portfolio with two new projects focused on sustainable infrastructure and clean energy. The studies aim to reduce the environmental impact of asphalt pavements and explore the feasibility of hydrogen fuel in rural transit systems.

AB-CLEAR: Addition of biochar for construction of low-emission asphalt roads

Ramez Hajj, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and ICT’s asphalt materials lead, is heading a new project that explores the use of biochar derived from waste timber to reduce the environmental impact of asphalt pavements.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the project — known as AB-CLEAR — runs through January 2027. It aims to lower harmful emissions during the production, construction, and use phases of asphalt pavements by incorporating biochar into asphalt mixtures and preservation treatments.

The study will involve laboratory testing of the biochar itself as well as evaluations of biochar-modified asphalt binders and mixtures. Researchers will assess rheological, chemical and mechanical performance along with emissions during production. Life-cycle cost analysis and environmental impact assessments will further evaluate the material’s feasibility.

This New Investigator Seed project also includes the development of preliminary materials for a proposed academic course, “Bioproducts in Civil Engineering,” and a framework for full-scale accelerated pavement testing. The long-term goal is to support broader adoption of sustainable pavement technologies nationwide.

Feasibility study for use of hydrogen fuel and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in rural public transportation

Yanfeng Ouyang, ICT associate director for mobility and CEE George Krambles Endowed Professor, is leading a study in partnership with the Reagan Mass Transit District to assess the use of hydrogen fuel in rural public transit.

Sponsored by RMTD, the study will explore the feasibility of producing hydrogen fuel on-site — either through electrolysis powered by the district’s solar array or by converting methane from a local landfill — and using it to support RMTD’s transitioning of its 26-bus fleet from a standard fuel model into a largely hydrogen fuel model.

The research will address three key areas:

• Technology assessment: estimating hydrogen production potential from current and expanded solar infrastructure as well as methane conversion capacity.
• Supply chain and economic analysis: identifying infrastructure needs for production, storage, transport and fueling; evaluating impacts on fleet operations and finances; and outlining funding sources and implementation timelines.
• Environmental review: measuring potential emissions reductions and life-cycle environmental benefits of hydrogen-powered buses and related infrastructure.

The study also considers the creation of a public-private partnership to support a commercial hydrogen fueling station, with the potential to generate revenue that sustains local transit services.