A heuristic Method for evaluating CO2 Efficiency in Transport Planning

Background: CO2 emissions are generally considered the
most important indicator to determine the global warming
effects. Their evaluation in the case of a transportation
infrastructure is generally not easy and could be achieved
through a separate balance.
Method: This paper introduces a new heuristic method for
identifying the modifications in the CO2 emission balance,
deriving from a variation in transportation supply. The focus
is predominantly on the construction and on the operational
phases, which are listed in all their main elements. The method
compares the maintenance of the “do-nothing” option with a
number of traffic scenarios resulting from the introduction of a
new infrastructure and deriving fromdifferent policymeasures.
Case-study: The construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel is
used as a case-study for the model, highlighting the role of
an enlightened transport policy in the reduction of the CO2
emissions.