Framework for Life Cycle Railway Sustainability Assessment: A Methodological Approach Based on Advanced Methods and Tools

Abstract

AbstractRailway corridors improvement and development are the most appropriate answer to the need of providing sustainable transportation of people and goods. Indeed, rail is the greener transportation mode since it contributes to the reduction of carbon footprint and energy consumption within the global transportation system. From this perspective, continuing to pursue sustainability objectives, any intervention on railway lines and particularly on track must be focused on the use of materials, components, and techniques able to guarantee the best environmental performances in service life span, also according to Agenda 2030 goal 13 action climate. To this purpose, the decision process at any life stage of construction and maintenance of the track can be supported by advanced methods and tools able to correctly address the right solutions through the quantitative assessment of the related environmental burdens. This study delivers a framework of methods and tools in use for the assessment of the sustainability. An application to a case study is also reported and discussed. Results demonstrated that there is room for the enhancement of environmental behavior of the track during its life cycle by means the suitable selection of materials and techniques for construction and maintenance. Further, the proposed methods have a great potential to support decision-makers.