Environment
In evaluating road infrastructure development, the IRF works in both developing and developed countries to ensure that the most environmentally sound measures are being used. Environmental considerations must be taken fully into account.
Great efforts are being made to improve the environmental friendliness of road materials such as asphalt. Increasing awareness of the environmental effects of pollution has led to a strong and growing demand for technologies that offer the highest in environmentally safe practices. To limit harmful emissions during asphalt mixture and lying, new and safer asphalts have been heavily researched with great success. The IRF supports the development of innovative technologies that damage to the environment
Another important step in limiting environmental degradation is planning to accommodate the specific ecosystem where roads are constructed and maintained. Ecosystems can be extremely fragile, and it often may be difficult to determine what effect roads will have on them. Additional studies may be necessary to ascertain information such as the migratory patterns of animals and how roads may affects them. Factors such as water contamination caused by rain water and other chemical run-off must be considered.
Today's world, it is not only important to take these measures for environmental concerns, but also for economic reasons. The cost of creating roads that are not environmentally friendly is always higher as time goes on.