LIFE CYCLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: TWO HIGH SPEED TRAINS COMPARED

Adtranz Sweden has used life cycle assessment (LCA) as one of several tools in its work on environmentally sound product development. It has been comparing the environmental impact of different products, and obtaining useful knowledge about LCA. This paper outlines the principles of LCA, and presents the results of its study of two different concepts for high-speed trains. LCA methodology has four steps: (1) goal and scope definition; (2) inventory analysis; (3) impact assessment, for example the EPS method widely used in Sweden; and (4) interpretation and improvement assessment. The two high-speed trains studied were a locomotive-drawn train and an electrical multiple unit (EMU), and both have a similar number of seats. The aims were to find which phase in the train's life cycle and which system in a train have the largest environmental impact. It was found that large environmental gains can be obtained by correct material selection. The highest priority is to find alternative battery technology, to avoid future use of hazardous nickel-cadmium batteries in the auxiliary system. Low train weights and energy-efficient designs should be sought. Material recycling can be improved by using as few different materials as possible. Subcontractors should be encouraged to work systematically in environmentally friendly ways. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 898977.

• Corporate Authors:

  WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL

  34 ST JAMES'S STREET
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  SW1A 1HD
• Authors:
  • NORDLUND, S
  • SIGNAL, M
• Publication Date: 1997

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 30-5
• Serial:
  • WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL JOURNAL, JULY 1997. ISSUE ON TRANSPORT AND ENERGY
  • Publisher: WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Cadmium; Design; Durability; Electric batteries; Environmental impact analysis; Evaluation and assessment; Fuel consumption; High speed ground transportation; High speed vehicles; Methodology; Nickel; Railroad trains; Recycling; Speed
• Geographic Terms: Sweden
• ITRD Terms: 9000: Alternative; 1315: Battery; 7177: Cadmium; 9011: Design (overall design); 5910: Durability; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 232: Fuel consumption; 1163: High speed; 2436: Impact study (environment); 9102: Method; 7110: Nickel; 4573: Recycling (mater); 8109: Sweden; 1268: Train
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00752433
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 18 1998 12:00AM