Life Cycle Assessment of Transportation Options for Commuters

Life Cycle Assessment of Transportation Options for Commuters PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Commuting
Languages : en
Pages : 16

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Book Description
In order to compare modes of transportation in terms of their environmental impact, a complete life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted. Using Carnegie-Mellon's EIO-LCA methodology the manufacturing, assembly, operation, and infrastructure life stages were considered for energy input required. Building upon available research for the impact of vehicle and public transportation, the impact of these phases was calculated for walking, bicycling, and electric-bicycling. Electric bicycles use less than 10% of the energy required to power a sedan for each mile traveled and emit 90% fewer pollutants per passengermile- traveled than a bus operating off peak. Both habits and financial motivators impact the efficiency at which a form of transportation operates. For example, due to the amount of time a public bus runs offpeak, its average emissions per passenger-mile-traveled is greater than the emissions of a Boeing 737 per passenger-mile-traveled. These relationships and factors are explored in the concluding section.

Life Cycle Assessment of Transportation Options for Commuters

Life Cycle Assessment of Transportation Options for Commuters PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Commuting
Languages : en
Pages : 16

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Book Description
In order to compare modes of transportation in terms of their environmental impact, a complete life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted. Using Carnegie-Mellon's EIO-LCA methodology the manufacturing, assembly, operation, and infrastructure life stages were considered for energy input required. Building upon available research for the impact of vehicle and public transportation, the impact of these phases was calculated for walking, bicycling, and electric-bicycling. Electric bicycles use less than 10% of the energy required to power a sedan for each mile traveled and emit 90% fewer pollutants per passengermile- traveled than a bus operating off peak. Both habits and financial motivators impact the efficiency at which a form of transportation operates. For example, due to the amount of time a public bus runs offpeak, its average emissions per passenger-mile-traveled is greater than the emissions of a Boeing 737 per passenger-mile-traveled. These relationships and factors are explored in the concluding section.

Eco-Design of Buildings and Infrastructure

Eco-Design of Buildings and Infrastructure PDF Author: Bruno Peuportier
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000260828
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 518

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Book Description
The Chair Eco-design of buildings and infrastructure, a partnership between three engineering colleges (MINES ParisTech, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech and AgroParisTech) and the VINCI group, aims to create measurement and simulation tools which integrate all the dimensions of eco-design (greenhouse gas emissions, impact on biodiversity and resource levies, etc.) to become real decision-making tools, based on a scientific approach, for all actors in the city (designers, builders and users). This book reviews the second five-year sequence of the Chair, first presenting methodological advances in eco-design: life cycle assessment and quantification of uncertainties; local environmental impacts of transport and biodiversity. The interdisciplinary partnership, also associating the human sciences, shows its interest in taking into account the human factor in the modelling of urban systems. This modelling is based on several numerical simulation tools, presented in the third part. This theoretical set results in more substantial proposals for the renewal of techniques and systems, in terms of energy management strategies in buildings, urban agriculture, participatory data collection and digital transformation in transport. This book is intended for urban planners, local authorities, building owners, architects, design offices, companies, building managers, teacher-researchers and anyone interested in the environmental quality of our living spaces.

Development of the Urban Passenger Transportation Life Cycle Inventory for Comparison Across Modes Model (TransportLifeCAMM)

Development of the Urban Passenger Transportation Life Cycle Inventory for Comparison Across Modes Model (TransportLifeCAMM) PDF Author: Alma Angelica Hernandez Ruiz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Choice of transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description
Against the backdrop of the increasingly complex urban passenger transportation challenges associated with megacities during the 21st century, and the effort to find the most sustainable modes of transportation for them, the spreadsheet-based model TransportLifeCAMM was developed. This model allows users in the US and Mexico to compare life cycle environmental impacts from automobile, bus, and/or subway. While other models to estimate environmental burdens from transportation exist, few of them consider emissions or energy consumption over the entire life cycle of the vehicle and the fuel (including vehicle manufacture, fuel production, maintenance, and end-of-life disposal). Furthermore, even fewer of the available models consider the infrastructure contribution to the transportation mode, and none to the level of granularity offered by TransportLifeCAMM. If the goal is to discover which is the most sustainable transportation mode, all life cycle phases for the vehicle, energy and infrastructure subsystems should be considered. The overall goal of this study was thus to develop a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) spreadsheet model that compares environmental impacts of three transportation modes - subway, bus, and automobile - and their associated infrastructure, over their entire life cycle. Specific objectives were:1. To develop a spreadsheet model for comparing life cycle impact of three transportation modes (subway, diesel bus in a Bus Rapid Transit context, and automobile), using traditional comparison criteria, 2. To apply the model to Mexico City as a case study,3. To add an exergetic life cycle assessment to the spreadsheet model, and apply it to the case study of Mexico City as well,4. To identify a range of impacts for the case study due to sensitivity in model inputs. The main contribution of this study was the development of a robust LCA-based methodology to evaluate and compare the environmental impacts of three transportation modes, applicable to any major city in North America. Furthermore, this methodology provided the basis and framework for TransportLifeCAMM, a freely-available, spreadsheet-based model. Since running Simapro or any other LCA software is time-consuming and complex, and requires considerable training and time to collect input data for hundreds of parameters, the user-friendly TransportLifeCAMM, based on Simapro output, allows anyone with basic spreadsheet knowledge to estimate emissions, with only a few readily-available input parameters. TransportLifeCAMM provides the measurement and analysis of environmental impacts for greenhouse gases (GHG), criteria air pollutants (CAP), cumulative energy demand and cumulative exergy demand throughout the life-cycle of each vehicle, and in units of grams of impact/passenger-kilometer. Additionally, it must be noted that no other scientific analysis or environmental/transportation study in Mexico City had been performed within an LCA framework previously to this work. Moreover, few other transportation LCA studies include the system's infrastructure, and none to the level of granularity provided by TransportLifeCAMM. Further contributions of this research are that no LCA study has been performed across these three transportation modes in any city, and that no other LCA-based model offers an exergy analysis for transportation modes.For the LCA simulations, the Simapro version 8.3.2 software was used, and the NIST's BEES+ method was used to conduct the main environmental impact assessment portion of the LCAs, which was supplemented by the Cumulative Energy Demand and Cumulative Exergy Demand methods for all three transportation modes. Data sources included published scientific papers and journals, governmental reports and statistics, both for the United States and for Mexico, theses and dissertations, environmental product declarations, technical specifications from the vehicles' manufacturers, transit authority reports, public information requests, USLCI database records for the onroad vehicles, as well as Ecoinvent and other databases contained in Simapro, trade journals, engineering reference books and textbooks, industry websites, technical and operational manuals, particularly for the bus and the subway, and as of yet unpublished data from the 2017 Origin-Destination survey in Mexico City. Regarding the results of the LCAs applied to the case study of Mexico City, for the diesel bus (in the BRT system), it was found that the vehicle (bus) subsystem was the greatest contributor to the inventory for all criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases. Furthermore, it was also always the greatest contributor to the impacts, when evaluated by all impact assessment methods (BEES+, Traci, Impact 2002+, CED and CExD). For the private car, the vehicle subsystem was also the greatest contributor to both the inventory and the impacts. As expected, the car was the most environmentally burdensome system. Results also ratified previous claims of the importance of including the infrastructure for a true LCA-oriented perspective of the system under study. The main conclusion for the subway system is the acceptance of the initial hypothesis, and the rejection of the null hypothesis: the subway does represent the least environmentally burdensome transportation alternative, among the three modes studied herein. Moreover, for the subway, it was confirmed how dependent its environmental profile (i.e., its final output) is to the composition of the electricity mix. Additionally, it was found that emissions from the subway are almost entirely dependent on the electricity used for its operation, with much less significant contributions from the infrastructure subsystem than for the onroad modes. In a three-way sensitivity analysis among the three transportation modes that evaluated both environmental impacts (with the BEES+ method), the Cumulative Energy Demand and the Cumulative Exergy Demand, it was confirmed that the heavy metro or subway has the least environmental impact and energy consumption, in a per passenger-kilometer basis. This is mostly the result of an increased ridership, with the subway's trains ability to transport a number of passengers, over their lifetime, that is at least two orders of magnitude above that of buses and cars. One of the findings of this research is that the increased lifetime performance, i.e., the greater number of kilometers travelled by each vehicle (car, bus, train) over their respective lifetimes, is also one of the factors that contributes to the subway's lesser environmental impact over the other two transportation modes analyzed herein. In a two-way sensitivity analysis between the two mass transit modes, the bus and the subway, the low ridership case for the subway (918 passengers) was compared against both cases of "peak" buses for the BRT: the articulated bus carrying 160 passengers, and the bi-articulated bus with 240 passengers. Results showed that while the subway maintained its environmental advantage, in impacts measured in a per passenger-kilometer basis, over the articulated bus, it did not do so when compared to the bi-articulated bus, which performed marginally better than the subway. This result confirms the sensitivity of this methodology and of all transportation modes to ridership, and suggests that when planning a public transportation option, it behooves policy makers to strive to have the best available data on ridership, so as to make the best possible decision regarding on which transportation mode to invest, or to encourage.

Transport, the Environment and Security

Transport, the Environment and Security PDF Author: Rae Zimmerman
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1781005265
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 287

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Book Description
'This book is a tremendous information resource, and Dr. Zimmerman is a true data "guru". Informed by her unique combination of interests, Transport, the Environment and Security represents a giant leap forward in understanding this previously understudied confluence of forces, encompassing topics as diverse as how transportation affects the environment and how security problems can affect transportation.' – Vicki Bier, University of Wisconsin-Madison, US 'Zimmerman's book is a much needed addition to our scientific understanding of the nexus between environment and security within a transportation context. Transportation networks (rail and road) are the quintessential American lifeline and disruptions through episodic natural hazards, terrorist activities, or longer term climate changes will have profound changes on society – presently and in the future. Zimmerman illustrates the synergies between environment, transport networks, security, social justice and urban places in a masterful and thoughtful synthesis that underscores the interdependencies within the transportation infrastructure, the nation's vulnerability to transport disruptions, and offers ideas for increasing the resilience of the transportation infrastructure. It will become a standard reference as we re-imagine transport in the 21st century under changing climate, security, environment, and living conditions.' – Susan L. Cutter, University of South Carolina, US 'Transportation planning and policy making have followed a particular model for more than fifty years. Rae Zimmerman begins with the premise that we are in a rut and that the old ways of thinking need to be replaced. An enormous amount of evidence is presented that together argues a strong case for the systematic integration of planning for transportation, the environment, and security. While the book does not get us to an integrated process, it points us to one and starts us down a creative path. A great introduction to the complexities of these relationships.' – Martin Wachs, RAND Corporation, US Effective means of transport are critical under both normal and extreme conditions, but modern transport systems are subject to many diverse demands. This path-breaking book uniquely draws together the typically conflicting arenas of transport, the environment and security, and provides collective solutions to their respective issues and challenges. From a primarily urban perspective, the author illustrates that the fields of transportation, environment (with an emphasis on climate change) and security (for both natural hazards and terrorism) and their interconnections remain robust areas for policy and planning. Synthesizing existing data, new analyses, and a rich set of case studies, the book uses transportation networks as a framework to explore transportation in conjunction with environment, security, and interdependencies with other infrastructure sectors. The US rail transit system, ecological corridors, cyber security, planning mechanisms and the effectiveness of technologies are among the topics explored in detail. Case studies of severe and potential impacts of natural hazards, accidents, and security breaches on transportation are presented. These cases support the analyses of the forces on transportation, land use and patterns of population change that connect, disconnect and reconnect people from their environment and security. The book will prove a fascinating and insightful read for academics, students, and practitioners across a wide range of fields including: transport, environmental economics, environmental management, urban planning, public policy, and terrorism and security.

Life-cycle Analysis of Energy Systems

Life-cycle Analysis of Energy Systems PDF Author: Bent Sørensen
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
ISBN: 1849731454
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 347

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Book Description
This book describes the methodology of life-cycle analysis of new energy solutions and their applications in a climate impact context.

Assessing and Measuring Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Assessing and Measuring Environmental Impact and Sustainability PDF Author: Jiří Jaromír Klemeš
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
ISBN: 0128022337
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 608

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Book Description
Assessing and Measuring Environmental Impact and Sustainability answers the question “what are the available methodologies to assess the environmental sustainability of a product, system or process?” Multiple well-known authors share their expertise in order to give a broad perspective of this issue from a chemical and environmental engineering perspective. This mathematical, quantitative book includes many case studies to assist with the practical application of environmental and sustainability methods. Readers learn how to efficiently assess and use these methods. This book summarizes all relevant environmental methodologies to assess the sustainability of a product and tools, in order to develop more green products or processes. With life cycle assessment as its main methodology, this book speaks to engineers interested in environmental impact and sustainability. Helps engineers to assess, evaluate, and measure sustainability in industry Provides workable approaches to environmental and sustainability assessment Readers learn tools to assess the sustainability of a process or product and to design it in an environmentally friendly way

Cycling Science

Cycling Science PDF Author: Max Glaskin
Publisher:
ISBN: 1782406433
Category : Cycling
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
Investigating the scientific wonders that keep the cyclist in the saddle and explaining how the bike and rider work together, this fascinating book is the perfect way to analyse your own kit and technique by showing you the techniques of the professionals. Each chapter investigates a different area of physics or technology and is organised around a series of questions; What is the frame design? How have bicycle wheels evolved? What muscle groups does cycling exploit? How much power does a professional cyclist generate? Each question is investigated using explanatory infographics and illustrations to clarify the answers. Dip into the book for answers to specific questions or read it right through for a complete overview of how machine and rider work together. At its heart, the simple process of getting about on two wheels contains a wealth of fascinating science.

Mobility 2030

Mobility 2030 PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Sustainable development
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description


Consumer Product Innovation and Sustainable Design

Consumer Product Innovation and Sustainable Design PDF Author: Robin Roy
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317516850
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
Consumer Product Innovation and Sustainable Design follows the innovation and evolution of consumer products from vacuum cleaners to mobile phones from their original inventions to the present day. It discusses how environmental concerns and legislation have influenced their design and the profound effects these products have had on society and culture. This book also uses the lessons from the successes and failures of examples of these consumer products to draw out practical guidelines for designers, engineers, marketers and managers on how to become more effective at product development, innovation and designing for environmental sustainability.

Environmental Ethics and Medical Reproduction

Environmental Ethics and Medical Reproduction PDF Author: Cristina Richie
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0197745180
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
In Environmental Ethics and Medical Reproduction, Dr. Cristina Richie uses the term "medicalized reproduction" (MR) to describe the impact of technology on human reproduction, including from pre-conception gamete retrieval, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and birthing suites. Unlike other areas of high-carbon health care, such as organ transplantation or chemotherapy, medicalized reproduction does not treat, cure, or prevent disease. It is supported by an economized medical industry, and as such, is open for ethical scrutiny. This book considers how technology has fundamentally changed the discussion on biomedical ethics, environmental ethics, and reproductive ethics.