Application of the integrated ecodesign method using the GHG emission as a single indicator and its GHG recyclability

Abstract The integration of life cycle assessment and life cycle cost based on monetary value is a complex undertaking and needs to take into account both the environmental aspect as well as monetary cost of a product. To make up for this weakness, a simplified ecodesign method considering greenhouse gas emissions as well as the material cost of a product was suggested. The results of the application of the suggested ecodesign method for a railway vehicle are shown in this study. In order to apply the ecodesign method to a railway vehicle, three steps to estimate the life cycle environmental performance were conducted; first, the embedded greenhouse gas emissions of a product was calculated at the material stage. Second, a multiple regression method was used to predict the amount of energy consumption at the use stage. Finally, the total greenhouse gas emissions and monetary cost were integrated into Greenhouse gas emissions and then defined as a single indicator. A case study on urban electric railway vehicles (6 cars in a single formation) to verify the proposed method was then performed. As a result, it was found that the proposed method is simple, transparent and less assumptions are required in order to simultaneously consider greenhouse gas emissions and the material cost of a product.

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