INTEGRATION OF LCA INTO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURES

This paper presents on attempt of integration LCA into comprehensive assessment of economic benefit and environmental load pertinent to the construction and maintenance of civil infrastructures. Energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission induced by unit monetary demand of consumption work projects are calculated, using national IO-Tables and other statistical data. Then, the transportation infrastructures in Japan are taken up, and the total of the life cycle environmental load (LCE and LC-CO2) for the past 30 years (from 1961 to 1993) is estimated. The road system accounts for 50 to 70 per cent of the total environmental load related to transportation infrastructures, while the share of air transport significantly increased since 1970s. Finally, the role played by the improved transportation infrastructures in the national economy is discussed.