Four Priority Low-Carbon Concrete Initiatives for FHWA LCTM Applications

RMI proposes four priority initiatives for state DOTs to reduce the embodied carbon of concrete via the FHWA LCTM program: integrating Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) into procurement, adjusting material specifications to increase SCM usage and blended cements, implementing Performance Engineered Mixture (PEM) demonstration projects, and validating emerging near-zero or zero-emissions concrete technologies.

• The first priority initiative focuses on integrating Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) into procurement to build capacity for agencies, contractors, and suppliers. This includes developing submission protocols for the bid phase, conducting regional market outreach, establishing regionally appropriate global warming potential (GWP) benchmarks, and providing performance bonuses to contractors who outperform GWP limits.
• The second initiative involves near-term specification adjustments to reduce emissions by aligning with industry best practices. Recommended actions include eliminating portland cement minimum limits, increasing supplementary cementitious material (SCM) replacement limits to 50%–80%, and expanding the use of AASHTO M 295 (ASTM C595) blended cements, such as Type IT ternary blended cements and ASTM C1157 performance hydraulic cements.
• The third initiative promotes Performance Engineered Mixture (PEM) demonstration projects to achieve deeper carbon reductions through innovation. This involves developing performance requirements based on US research from the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center and FHWA’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, piloting alternative contracting methods focused on lifecycle costs and risk management, and creating a consistent performance reporting framework across states.
• The fourth initiative targets the validation of innovative, emerging low-carbon materials, including near-zero or zero emissions concrete. Proposed projects include evaluating alternative SCMs (such as calcined clay, concrete fines, and reactive silica), emerging blended cements like LC3, alternative cements (including belite-rich and bio-based), and setting zero GWP thresholds for specific demonstration projects.

APA

RMI (2024). Four Priority Low-Carbon Concrete Initiatives for FHWA LCTM Applications. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2024/04/Low-Carbon-Concrete-for-DOTs.pdf

Chicago

RMI. Four Priority Low-Carbon Concrete Initiatives for FHWA LCTM Applications. 2024. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2024/04/Low-Carbon-Concrete-for-DOTs.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Four Priority Low-Carbon Concrete Initiatives for FHWA LCTM Applications |date=March 2024 |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2024/04/Low-Carbon-Concrete-for-DOTs.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2024four, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Four Priority Low-Carbon Concrete Initiatives for FHWA LCTM Applications}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2024/04/Low-Carbon-Concrete-for-DOTs.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }