Developing a construction waste management performance calculator for highway construction

Abstract The generation of a substantial amount of construction waste (CW) poses significant challenges to the green transition of highway construction projects. However, the construction industry lacks integration of construction waste management (CWM) practices into the construction process. This paper aims to develop a calculation for assessing the performance of CWM to monitor its effectiveness in highway construction. Initially, this study utilizes the Site waste management plan (SWMP) as a foundation and develops a Construction Waste Management Performed Assessment Method (CWMPAM). The extension of CWM is incorporated into earned value management (EVM) to manage costs, schedules, and the performance of CWM within a unified framework. The functionality and sensitivity of CWMPAM and CWM-embedded EVM are validated through pilot testing and scenario analysis. The research results are computerized into a calculator to facilitate the practical application of CWM, and its validity is tested using random cases. CWMPAM and CWM-embedded EVM prove satisfactory in assessing and monitoring the execution and performance of CWM. The developed calculator simplifies the practical application of the outcomes. Essentially, the developed calculator represents a groundbreaking integration of CWM and construction management, enabling project managers to monitor and compare the CWM performance across different segments of highway construction. Not only does this contribute to the green transformation of highway projects, it also promotes high quality and sustainable development in the construction industry.