Carbon Emissions Analysis of Rail Resurfacing Work: A Case Study, Practical Guideline, and Systems Thinking Approach

Carbon pollution has become a sensitive topic across the globe in recent times. In Australia, incentive has been provided to industry in order to reduce carbon emissions in heavy polluting industries. The railway transportation system is one of the industries expected to reduce the emissions and contribute to a long term reduction strategy, although comparatively rail sector contributes much less carbon unit compared with other modes of transportation. Railway operations provide fast and safe transport of passengers and cargo whilst providing alternative transport modes to road and aviation. Railway maintenance is the process of restoring railway track to an appropriate condition which improves ride comfort and safety through its life cycle. The railway maintenance practices need to be cost effective, with longevity of railway infrastructure a key long term consideration. Railway maintenance activities included tamping, rail grinding and track renewals. In order to understand the contribution railway maintenance machinery has on overall greenhouse gas emissions, this study presents a method for estimating emissions from rail resurfacing practices. A study was conducted to survey diesel engines used in various resurfacing machineries. Emissions are estimated using a fuel consumption and operating time analysis. The contribution machineries has on greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants include CO2, CO, NO3, SO2, PM10, TVOC and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. The results were compared to the National Greenhouse and Accounts Factors and the Australian National Pollution inventory databases, to verify the accuracy of the estimations.