Development of a Freight System Conceptualization and Impact Assessment
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Development of a Freight System Conceptualization and Impact Assessment (Fre- SCANDIA) Framework A Research Report from the National Center August 2018 for Sustainable Transportation Miguel Jaller, University of California, Davis John Harvey, University of California, Davis Sogol Saremi, University of California, Davis Hanjiro Ambrose, University of California, Davis Ali Butt, University of California, Davis About the National Center for Sustainable Transportation The National Center for Sustainable Transportation is a consortium of leading universities committed to advancing an environmentally sustainable transportation system through cutting- edge research, direct policy engagement, and education of our future leaders. Consortium members include: University of California, Davis; University of California, Riverside; University of Southern California; California State University, Long Beach; Georgia Institute of Technology; and University of Vermont. More information can be found at: ncst.ucdavis.edu. Disclaimer The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the information presented herein. This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the United States Department of Transportation’s University Transportation Centers program, in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government and the State of California assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof. Nor does the content necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the U.S. Government and the State of California. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. This report does not constitute an endorsement by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) of any product described herein. Acknowledgments This study was funded by a grant from the National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST), supported by USDOT and Caltrans through the University Transportation Centers program. The authors would like to thank the NCST, USDOT, and Caltrans for their support of university-based research in transportation, and especially for the funding provided in support of this project. Development of a Freight System Conceptualization and Impact Assessment (Fre-SCANDIA) Framework A National Center for Sustainable Transportation Research Report August 2018 Miguel Jaller, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis John Harvey, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis Sogol Saremi, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis Hanjiro Ambrose, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis Ali Butt, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis [page left intentionally blank] 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. viii I. Introduction and Background .......................................................................................................1 II. Brief Overview of the Freight Transportation System .................................................................3 III. Supply Chain Management .........................................................................................................6 Supply Chain Components ......................................................................................................7 Supply Chain Models and Classification Systems ...................................................................8 Supply Chain Performance Measures and Decision Variables ............................................ 11 IV. Life-Cycle Assessment .............................................................................................................. 13 Attributional and Consequential LCA .................................................................................. 16 Uncertainties in LCA ............................................................................................................. 18 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 19 V. Impact Assessment Methodologies.......................................................................................... 35 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Methodologies ................................................... 35 Economic Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) ................................................................................. 38 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 44 VI. Freight System Conceptualization and Impact Assessment Framework ................................ 62 Data Availability ................................................................................................................... 70 Models Availability ............................................................................................................... 71 VII. Framework Implementation ................................................................................................... 72 Freight Flows Data ............................................................................................................... 72 Life Cycle Inventory Data ..................................................................................................... 81 Impact Categories ................................................................................................................ 85 VIII. Case Studies ........................................................................................................................... 91 Freight Flows in California ................................................................................................... 91 Computers and Electronics Manufacturer’s Supply Chain ................................................ 113 Food Producer’s Supply Chain ........................................................................................... 120 Apparel/Shoes Manufacturer’s Supply Chain .................................................................... 128 Company’s Summary and LCA Analyses ............................................................................ 134 IX. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................ 138 X. References .............................................................................................................................. 141 i ANNEX ......................................................................................................................................... 149 Annex A: LCA Databases and Tools .................................................................................... 149 Annex B: LCIA Methods ..................................................................................................... 150 Annex C: CAL-B/C ............................................................................................................... 158 ii List of Tables Table 1. Modeling Objectives ......................................................................................................... 9 Table 2. Supply Chain Attributes................................................................................................... 10 Table 3. Performance Measures in Supply Chain Modeling ......................................................... 12 Table 4. Evolution of LCA .............................................................................................................. 13 Table 5. LCA Boundaries ............................................................................................................... 15 Table 6. Strengths and Weaknesses of Environmental LCA ......................................................... 20 Table 7. LCA Studies and Their Characteristics According to LCA Phases .................................... 21 Table 8. Classification of LCA Studies............................................................................................ 30 Table 9. Characterization Models for Impact Assessment ........................................................... 37 Table 10. Cost and Benefit Analysis .............................................................................................. 38 Table 11. Categories of Benefits from Environmental Policies .................................................... 39 Table 12. Modeling Approaches for Life Cycle Assessment and Supply Chain Management ...... 44 Table 13. Classification of Studies According to Impact Assessment Categories ......................... 46 Table 14. Freight Life Cycles .......................................................................................................... 65 Table 15. Data Availability ............................................................................................................ 70 Table 16. Industries Included in the CFS ....................................................................................... 72 Table 17. Commodities Transported ............................................................................................ 73 Table 18. Transportation Modes in the CFS ................................................................................. 75 Table 19. LCI Examples for Truck Freight Transport Processes ...................................................