Utilizing waste plastic in asphalt pavement construction in the Gulf cooperation council (GCC) countries: a comprehensive review, bibliometric analysis, and research directions

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the utilization of plastic waste in asphalt pavement construction in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by emphasizing environmental sustainability and enhanced mechanical performance. The review conducts an in-depth bibliometric analysis to map the global and regional publication trends and identify key contributors, leading institutions, and the evolving landscape of this emerging research domain. The results revealed increasing global dedication to sustainable road infrastructure and regional challenges, including extreme climate conditions, policy discrepancies, and limited framework implementation. In addition to synthesizing existing technical advancements, this review identifies critical knowledge gaps and outlines future research directions, including interdisciplinary collaboration, long-term performance evaluation, and ethical implications of large-scale plastic reuse. The review outcomes provide salient inputs for stakeholders seeking to develop resilient, eco-friendly infrastructures in arid and high-temperature environments.