Highlights The net CO2 emissions of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail are assessed. The framework incorporates modal substitution and traffic generation effects. Avoided infrastructure expansion and vehicle manufacturing are considered. Large share of traffic diverted from ordinary-speed trains may raise emissions.
Abstract This paper provides an ex-post assessment of net carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail (HSR) by including both mode substitution and traffic generation effects with a life-cycle approach. We are among the first authors to examinethe emissions effects of a long-haul HSR and to consider theeffects of avoided infrastructure expansion and vehicle manufacturing due to trafficdiversion. We find that avoided infrastructure expansion plays a limited role in offsettingCO2 emissions from the construction of an HSR infrastructure, but the reduced demandfor passenger vehicles can offset a larger share of emissions from the manufacturing of HSRrolling stock. Initially, too much traffic was diverted from ordinary-speed rail(OSR) to HSR, increasing emissions at the operation stage. As traffic diverted from road and air increased, the net emissions at the operation stage turned negative, offsetting emissions from infrastructure construction and vehicle manufacturing.
Assessing carbon dioxide emissions of high-speed rail: The case of Beijing-Shanghai corridor
2021-01-01
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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