Quantitative and comparative review of multifunctional performance of porous asphalt concrete

Porous asphalt concrete (PAC) has emerged as a multifunctional pavement material capable of addressing urban flooding, stormwater management, traffic noise, urban heat island (UHI) effects, and environmental sustainability challenges. This study presents a comprehensive quantitative and comparative review of PAC based on published laboratory investigations, field studies, hydrological modelling, accelerated pavement testing, and sustainability assessments. A PRISMA-oriented review methodology was adopted using major scientific databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. More than 100 relevant studies were critically synthesized. The review evaluates key performance indicators including air-void content, permeability, Marshall Stability, indirect tensile strength, tensile strength ratio, Cantabro abrasion loss, runoff attenuation, pavement temperature reduction, noise reduction, and pollutant removal efficiency. Results indicate that PAC typically exhibits air-void contents of 15–25%, permeability coefficients of 0.1–1.0 cm/s, runoff reductions of 30–70%, pavement surface temperature reductions of 5–15 °C, and traffic noise reductions of 3–6 dB compared with conventional dense asphalt pavements. The study further highlights the influence of aggregate gradation, pore connectivity, binder modification, fiber reinforcement, and compaction on hydraulic and mechanical performance. Recent advances involving polymer-modified binders, conductive fibers, induction-based self-healing technologies, X-ray CT characterization, hydrological modelling, and performance-based design approaches are also synthesized. Finally, critical research gaps related to clogging, durability, climate adaptation, and large-scale implementation are identified. The review provides an integrated framework for developing sustainable and climate-resilient porous asphalt pavement systems.