Self-Healing Asphalt Technologies: A Systematic Review of Comparative Performance, Evaluation Challenges, and Field Deployment

Extending the service life of asphalt pavement and cutting maintenance costs are two reasons self-healing technologies have drawn growing attention. Based on 66 studies published between 2011 and 2026, this review covers four engineered self-healing technologies: induction heating, microwave heating, microcapsule-based healing, and microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). Quantitative comparisons are made for the first three; microbial healing is discussed separately because only four studies were found. Induction heating has been tested in the field and can reach healing efficiencies of up to 96.5% (maximum reported value). Microcapsule-based healing has a reported peak efficiency that approached 100% under optimal conditions, but can only be used once. Microwave heating heats more evenly across the pavement depth but has not been tested in the field. Microbial healing is at an early stage, with modest strength recovery (UCS, unconfined compressive strength, up to 47%). This review argues that evaluation fragmentation—the use of different indicators, test conditions, and material formulations across studies—makes it difficult to compare technologies and hinders field use. A standardized dual-index evaluation framework is proposed, along with three research priorities: adopting standardized protocols, monitoring existing field trials over the long term, and conducting full life-cycle cost analysis.