Assessment of CO2 emissions for truck-only and rail-based intermodal freight systems in Europe

Abstract

Rail-based intermodal freight transportation systems in the European Union have been regarded as being more environmental friendly than truck-only freight systems, particularly for long-distance haulage and in terms of CO2 emissions. However, to date there has been no clear comparison of CO2 emissions between different freight systems. Therefore, this paper examines whether the intermodal freight system really does emit less CO2 than their road-based counterparts. A research framework is established in which the methods and data of earlier studies are assessed. Based on a conceptualisation of intermodal and truck-only systems, the semi-life cycle assessment technique, which excludes emissions from infrastructure and vehicle manufacturing and includes emissions from the production of fuel and direct emissions, is used in order to examine the short- and medium-term environmental impact of different freight systems. The main conclusion is that in general rail-based intermodal freight systems emit less CO2 than truck-only systems, regardless of the type of locomotive. For electric locomotives, the electricity power-generating source is the definitive factor in deciding which type of train in an intermodal freight system offers the most environmental friendly alternative: if power plants use only coal or oil fuel sources, intermodal systems using electric trains could emit more CO2 than their competitors.