Why is economics a factor in determining pavement thickness?

Economics plays a critical role in determining pavement thickness primarily because it influences the choice of materials used in construction. The cost of different materials can significantly affect decisions surrounding pavement design. Engineers often have to balance the desired performance characteristics of the pavement—such as durability, load-bearing capacity, and maintenance needs—against budget constraints. Thicker pavements typically require more materials and thus greater expense, so economic considerations often drive design choices towards thinner pavements when appropriate, or towards alternative materials that can provide equivalent performance at a lower cost.

The other aspects mentioned, such as regulatory compliance, color of pavement, and location of the roadway, while important in their own right, do not directly connect to the economic factors influencing material choices and overall pavement design in the same fundamental way.