Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Railways: Systematic Review of Research Progress

Abstract

Rail transportation plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions from the transportation system, making a significant contribution to environmental impact mitigation due to the efficiency of passenger and freight rail transportation. Accurate assessment of carbon emissions resulting from rail transit is essential to quantify the positive impact of this mode of transportation on overall urban transport emission reduction. Given that measuring carbon emissions throughout the lifecycle of rail transportation involves a wide array of factors, adopting a systematic framework for analyzing these aspects is crucial. This study conducts a comprehensive review of existing research related to carbon emissions in rail transportation and its mitigation. Initially, the distinct characteristics of carbon emissions associated with rail transportation are identified, along with the complexity involved in accurately measuring these emissions. Subsequently, a comparison and analysis are conducted regarding various models for measuring carbon emissions in rail transportation. Finally, the study examines some greenhouse gas emission measurement research within the railway system. Redirecting research efforts toward measuring carbon emissions in the rail transportation system is essential to help the development of robust and effective public policies. This measure will play a crucial role in emission reduction, climate change mitigation, and the promotion of more sustainable transportation. Furthermore, the identified results propose which LCA methodology offers a valuable framework improving the quality of railway transportation emissions for future generations.