Consideration of greenhouse warming potential in infrastructure planning

Julia Sauer, Sonja Xalter, Oliver Fischer, Stephan Freudenstein

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Sustainability is getting more and more important also in the construction industry. In the past many research projects focused on sustainability of buildings but not of infrastructure projects and related structures. To understand the greenhouse warming potential of infrastructures, we have calculated the CO2-Equivalents (CO2E) of production processes of road, bridges and tunnels and additionally the traffic induced emissions for a free traffic flow for an example with different alignment options. The effect of longitudinal gradients, cross sections and construction methods have been considered. To allow a better understanding of the relevance of CO2Eemissions of construction processes, the CO2E-emissions have been evaluatedmonetarily. Initial results show a small influence of CO2E-emission costs of production processes in comparison to life cycle costs. But alignment options that would result in fewer emissions (global impact) may have a negative impact on the local environment. Higher costs for compensation of encroachments upon nature resulting therefrom compete with reduced emissions and fuel over the whole life-cycle.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationISEC 2013 - 7th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference
Subtitle of host publicationNew Developments in Structural Engineering and Construction
EditorsSiamak Yazdani, Amarjit Singh
PublisherResearch Publishing Services
Pages1721-1726
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9810753551, 9789810753559
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event7th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference: New Developments in Structural Engineering and Construction, ISEC 2013 - Honolulu, United States
Duration: 18 Jun 201323 Jun 2013

Publication series

NameISEC 2013 - 7th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference: New Developments in Structural Engineering and Construction

Conference

Conference7th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference: New Developments in Structural Engineering and Construction, ISEC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHonolulu
Period18/06/1323/06/13

Keywords

  • Bridge construction
  • Environmental life-cycle assessment
  • Greenhouse warming potential
  • Infrastructure
  • Road construction
  • Sustainability
  • Tunnel construction

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Consideration of greenhouse warming potential in infrastructure planning'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this