Selecting the Transport Mode and Distance

When setting up a project you will already be introduced to transport settings during the setup of your project parameters, which are also called the 'LCA parameters'. When a transport setting has been selected it applies these default settings to the entire project.

In the project parameters you are asked to define a profile for the transportation settings. These profiles give you default modes of transportation and default distances of the transportation of the product from the facility where it is made, to your construction site.

Default settings for transport are made for you based on your selected profile, however these can be adjusted. The mode of transportation is based on the material subtype, and is often quite accurate. The distance uses average distances which are relevant for the profile you have selected, however these can be quite different based on your type of project or your project location. If you are not sure about the mode of transport or the distance, you can continue to use the default options which are given.

Changing Default Transportation Options

If you would like, you can always make changes to the transport option or set distance. The available modes of transportation depend on the type of calculation tool you are using.

Changing the default distance

This can be done by clicking on the set distance, changing the quantity and resaving.

In the example we have chosen a generic concrete with a quantity of 100 m3 and used the default 'Nordic' transportation setting in the LCA parameters. This setting means this concrete will be transported with a Concrete mixer truck (8m3 capacity) and is transported 70 kilometers from the concrete plant to the construction site.

If we change the distance to 200, as perhaps this is sourced from further away, we will see that the transportation emissions are updated right away.

Sourcing products locally is a good method of reducing the transportation impacts. If we change the default distance, this will also be highlighted by the quantity being presented in a white box.

Changing the mode of transportation

This can be done by clicking on the mode of transportation, changing the selected mode and resaving.

In the example we have chosen a generic steel with a quantity of 1000 metric tons and used the default 'Nordic' transportation setting in the LCA parameters. This setting means the steel will be transported with a trailer combination truck (40 ton capacity) and is transported 110 kilometers from the steel factory to the construction site.

If we change the mode of transportation to a diesel train, and change the distance to 1500 kilometers, we can see the difference right away.

Depending on the tool you are using you will have different transportation options available from different sources. The modes of transportation in International and North American tools are similar, however in International tools you will have a larger variety of different data sources to choose from.

If you are using International or North American tools you will have access to the following options:

Land vehicles (vans, trucks & trains), Marine vessels (tankers, container ships, barges etc.) and flight options.

Setting an additional transport leg

Some calculation tools allow setting a second transportation leg, this is useful if you are importing materials and these are transported with more than one method of transportation. The second transport leg always has it's default distance set to 0 kilometers and has the same default mode of transportation as transport leg 1.

Sources of the transportation method

You will be able to find out the source and emissions of a transport method by clicking on the green question mark and opening the data card of the transport method.

After clicking on the green question mark, it will open the information about the selected transport method.

For information on transport (A4) emissions documentation please check here.