Mode-specific eco-efficiency analysis of the freight transportation in the USA: an integrated life cycle assessment and linear programming approach

In this paper, a mode-specific life cycle assessment of the freight transportation impacts associated with the US manufacturing sector's economic activities is performed considering cradle-to-gate life cycle scope. The 276 US manufacturing sectors' impacts on the four transportation modes (air, rail, truck and water) are considered as the problem scope and results are aggregated into 53 major manufacturing sectors. After the life cycle impacts are quantified, each mode's eco-efficiency assessment is quantified with data envelopment analysis (DEA). Three major impact categories (GHG emissions, energy and water consumption) are considered along with the economic output. Results indicated that among the four modes: truck transportation was found to be responsible for 48% to 60% of total environmental impacts which were triggered by the manufacturing sectors. On the other hand, rail and air were found to have 20% to 21% share in the total impact of four modes depending on the impact category.

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