New evidence strengthens the case for smarter roads

In 2024, Sunshine Coast Council trialled crumb rubber asphalt using Off‑The‑Road (OTR) tyres — demonstrating strong early performance outcomes. 

Today, we are releasing the next phase: a full lifecycle assessment (LCA) of those trials in the Sunshine Coast Council Life Cycle Assessment of Crumb Rubber Asphalt report 2026. 

This work builds on the ongoing collaboration between TSA, NTRO, Sunshine Coast Council and Boral to strengthen the evidence base for crumb rubber roads. 

The findings reinforce what local government leaders are increasingly recognising — sustainability in roads is measured over the whole lifecycle, not just upfront. 

Key insights: 

• OTR crumb rubber continues to provide a viable substitute 
  OTR tyre-derived crumb rubber can be used interchangeably with traditional crumb rubber, without requiring changes to asphalt production or placement.  
• Whole-of-life outcomes matter just as much as upfront carbon emissions 
  While some mixes showed slightly higher upfront emissions, extended service life can deliver meaningful emissions reductions over time — up to ~20% in some scenarios. 
• Durability is the key sustainability lever 
  Longer pavement life reduces maintenance frequency — lowering emissions and costs across the asset lifecycle.  
• New ground for industry and local government 
  This study includes the first use of OTR tyre recycling data in a roads LCA, and the first application of the NTRO LCA tool in a local government project. 

Why this matters: 

Local roads make up the majority of Australia’s network and are under growing pressure to deliver better performance with fewer resources.  

This research provides councils with credible, evidence-based data to support procurement decisions, asset management strategies, and circular economy outcomes. 

The takeaway: 

If we want lower emissions in road infrastructure, we need to prioritise durability, lifecycle performance, and smarter material choices — not just upfront metrics.