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Life cycle assessment of High Speed Rail in China

  • Ye Yue
  • , Tao Wang
  • , Sai Liang*
  • , Jie Yang
  • , Ping Hou
  • , Shen Qu
  • , Jun Zhou
  • , Xiaoping Jia
  • , Hongtao Wang
  • , Ming Xu
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • Ritsumeikan University
  • College of Architecture and Environment
  • Central University of Finance and Economics
  • Qingdao University of Science and Technology

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

China has built the world's largest High Speed Rail (HSR) network. Its environmental impacts have been examined by the means of life cycle assessment (LCA) which describes the whole picture of the HSR system instead of single stages, with a case study for the high-speed railway that links Beijing and Shanghai. The research employs the China-specific life cycle inventory database Chinese Core Life Cycle Database (CLCD). Vehicle operation dominates most impact categories, while vehicle manufacturing/maintenance/disposal and infrastructure construction contribute mostly to mineral consumption (43% and 38%) and organic compounds in water (54% for infrastructure construction). Several scenarios are developed to explore effects of changes in HSR development, utilization, electricity mix, and infrastructure planning and construction. Suggestions are provided for improving the life cycle environmental performance of China's HSR systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)367-376
Number of pages10
JournalTransportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
Volume41
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2015
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  2. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

  • China
  • High Speed Rail
  • Life cycle assessment

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