A Decision-Support Tool for Analysing Transport Impacts in Building Life Cycle Assessment

Leindecker, Gerald ; Beltrán-Velamazán, Carlos (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Gómez-Gil, Marta (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Pesta, Jan ; Trubina, Nika

Resumen: The construction sector plays a significant role in global environmental impact, accounting for substantial resource consumption, energy use, and carbon emissions. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as a key methodology for evaluating the environmental footprint of buildings. This paper introduces a newly developed calculation tool designed to assess the role of transport within a comprehensive LCA of construction works, while also incorporating the benefits of reusing building materials in a circular manner. By applying this tool, we analyse the environmental and economic implications of transport in different scenarios, focusing on the case of recycled concrete versus landfill disposal. Cement, as one of the largest contributors to global warming in the building sector, makes this analysis particularly relevant for sustainable construction strategies. Using a structured calculation matrix, the tool quantifies transport-related gains and losses by incorporating key variables such as concrete composition, transportation distances to and from the construction site, landfill locations, diesel costs, deposit fees, and associated CO2 emissions. The tool enables a systematic evaluation of critical parameters, including transport distances and the proportion of recycled concrete, providing insights into optimising environmental performance. The results offer a practical framework for decision-making, supporting policymakers and industry stakeholders in understanding the role of transport within LCA methodologies. Integrating this tool into building assessments can serve as a guideline for promoting more sustainable and data-driven construction practices.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/1546/1/012067

Año: 2025

Publicado en: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1546, 1 (2025), 012067 [8 pp.]
ISSN: 1755-1307

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Construc. Arquitectónicas (Dpto. Arquitectura)