Reimagining unbound road pavement technology: Integrating testing, design, construction and performance in the post-digital era

The Industry 4.0 revolution signifies a pivotal transition in pavement technology, emphasising the integration of digital and physical systems to revamp traditional, empirical-based pavement design, construction, and maintenance practices. This shift promises enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and a move towards integrated practices, highlighted by adopting “Digital Twin” technology. Unlike traditional Building Information Modeling (BIM), Digital Twin technology offers a real-time, dynamic representation of physical infrastructure, enabling improved asset management through distributed sensing and predictive performance analytics. Leveraging findings from the Australian Research Council (ARC)’s Industry Transformation Research Hub for Smart Next Generation Transport Pavements (SPARC Hub), this paper focuses on the integration of pavement testing, design, construction, condition assessment and asset management into the lifecycle of unbound road pavements. The paper outlines how such technological integration streamlines decision-making processes and significantly boosts the functionality and longevity of pavement infrastructures. Despite facing challenges like cost, data security, and the need for specialised skills, the potential for digital technologies to improve pavement durability, efficiency, and sustainability is significant. Future research directions are identified to overcome implementation barriers, explore untapped technological potentials, and assess the sustainability benefits of digital approaches in pavement engineering, aiming to forge more resilient, efficient, and sustainable road networks for future generations.