Comparative analysis of freight trasportation environmental impact considering alternative road routes in Navarra

Abstract

The motivation of this project is making an environmental impact analysis of two infrastructures (N-121-A national road and A-15 motorway) in order to decide which one of them is the most appropriate for road freight transportation, considering the environmental impact caused by the freight vehicles which use them. For this purpose, some emission calculation models will be used which are contained from (Demir et al., 2011) article. In order to do a viable comparison, different parameters will be obtained as the fuel consumption or the 𝐶𝑂2 emissions (one of the main pollutants in road transportation). In order to solve this problem and definitely reduce the consumption of 𝐶𝑂2emissions, it is very important to have a good operational planning. For this purpose, estimation models need to be incorporated to the planning methods. Different analytical emission models differ in their ways of estimation of the fuel consumption and emissions, or in the parameters taken in account. This study´s importance and main motivation relies in the application of these analytical models in order to solve problems in a real environment and how these models need to be adapted to the challenges that appear when trying to convert experimental data into numerical values. As a result, decisions taken in infrastructure planning are more coherent and follow established patterns. As stated before, two models contained in (Demir et al. 2011) article will be used, and its results will be compared for heavy vehicles with different characteristics. Solving this infrastructure problem will allow knowing which of the routes is more efficient both economically and environmentally. This implies a more efficient use of resources by road transportation companies operating in northern Navarre roads. In a world where the lack of non-renewable energy sources is increasing every year and taking in account all the negative externalities caused by road freight transportation (negative effects in third parties not implied in the activities), it is very important to do these calculations and taking responsible decisions related to this issue.