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In-Depth Lifecycle Assessment of Ballasted Railway Track and Slab Track Considering Varying Subsoil Conditions

Author

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  • Dieter Knabl

    (Institute of Railway Engineering and Transport Economy, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Matthias Landgraf

    (Evias Rail Consulting, 8047 Graz, Austria)

Abstract

This study assesses and compares lifecycle (LC) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the two main railway track construction types: ballasted track and slab track. In this study, preexisting soil conditions are considered, as they significantly influence necessary measures during the construction phase for each type. This study is executed for Austrian boundary conditions with speeds up to 250 km/h. The results show that ballasted track is associated with 11–20% lower LC GHG emissions, whereby the variation in relative emission reduction is associated with additional soil reinforcement treatments due to varying preexisting soil conditions. Poor preexisting soil conditions increase LC GHG emissions by 26%, underlying the necessity to integrate this parameter into the lifecycle assessment of railway track. In contrast to the higher service life of slab track construction, this type amounts to higher masses of concrete and demands more extensive measures for soil enhancement due to the higher stiffness of the track panel. Only in tunnel areas does slab track cause lower GHG emissions since soil reinforcements are not necessary due to an existing concrete base layer after tunnel construction. For both construction types, over 80% of the GHG emissions stem from material production. Hence, circular economy as well as innovations within steel and concrete production processes hold significant potential for reducing GHG emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Dieter Knabl & Matthias Landgraf, 2023. "In-Depth Lifecycle Assessment of Ballasted Railway Track and Slab Track Considering Varying Subsoil Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-15, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:12974-:d:1227239
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martina Zeiner & Matthias Landgraf & Dieter Knabl & Bernhard Antony & Víctor Barrena Cárdenas & Christian Koczwara, 2021. "Assessment and Recommendations for a Fossil Free Future for Track Work Machinery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Lukas Hausberger & Tobias Cordes & Florian Gschösser, 2023. "Life Cycle Assessment of High-Performance Railway Infrastructure, Analysis of Superstructures in Tunnels and on Open Tracks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, April.
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