# New Trends in Long-Life Road Infrastructures: Materials and Structures
###### Abstract  
The development of long-life road infrastructure has become a pressing global priority, fueled by escalating demands stemming from rapid urbanization, escalating environmental concerns, and the critical necessity for sustainable, environmentally friendly transportation alternatives [1]. With global and ongoing rapid urbanization, current road networks are encountering increasing difficulty in adapting to rising traffic volumes and changing mobility needs. Concurrently, the urgent need to tackle climate change and lower the environmental impact of transportation infrastructure has underscored the importance of constructing environmentally sustainable and resilient road networks [2].  
Conventional road designs and methods often fall short of meeting, these evolving demands, as they tend to focus on immediate concerns and do not sufficiently prioritize enduring performance and resilience. For instance, the typical design lifespan of road pavements is often restricted to 15-20 years in China, significantly below the benchmarks established by its economic development [3]. This disparity between the existing capacities and emerging demands has instigated a coordinated endeavor to transform the materials, structures, and technologies utilized in the creation and upkeep of road infrastructure.  
The quest for long-life road infrastructures has driven researchers and practitioners worldwide to explore innovative approaches that can enhance the performance, serviceability, and sustainability of road systems. The key areas include the development of advanced eco-friendly materials with superior durability [4], the design of resilient structural systems capable of withstanding escalating demands [5], and the integration of cutting-edge numerical and intelligent technologies to optimize the performance and life-cycle management of road networks [6].  
In the materials domain, significant advancements have been made in the development of novel cementitious, asphalt, and composite materials that can offer improved strength, flexibility, and resistance to the environmental degradation of road infrastructures [7]. The incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials, such as fly ash and slag, has demonstrated the potential to enhance the sustainability and long-term durability of concrete-based road infrastructures [8]. Similarly, the utilization of modified asphalt binders and renewable aggregates has shown promise in improving the performance and service life of flexible pavement systems [9; 10].  
Alongside materials innovation, researchers have also dedicated effort to the enhancement of structural design and analysis capabilities. The integration of advanced numerical modeling techniques, including finite element analysis and discrete element modeling, has enabled a deeper understanding of the complex behavior of road structures under various loading and environmental conditions. This, in turn, has facilitated the development ofoptimized structural designs that can withstand the demands of increased traffic, climate change, and natural hazards better.  
In summary, the convergence of these technological innovations, combined with a holistic emphasis on sustainability and life-cycle performance, has set the stage for a new era in road infrastructure development. This book, titled _New Trends in Long-Life Road Infrastructures: Materials and Structures_, aims to showcase the latest research and advancements in this critical field, providing a platform for the dissemination of cutting-edge knowledge and the exploration of transformative solutions. By advancing our understanding of material behavior, structural performance, and life-cycle management strategies, these research findings can inform the design, construction, and maintenance of more durable, eco-friendly, and adaptable road infrastructures.