Development of a model for assessing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from terminal and drayage operations

Abstract

Within a seaport terminal, the main sources of emissions include (1) building use and maintenance, (2) ocean-going vessels and harbour crafts, (3) cargo handling equipment and (4) heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) used for the transportation of the containers (which considered to be one of the most polluting elements of port operations). The main objective of this work was the development of a mathematical model for the quantification of Greenhouse Gas emissions produced by HDV during container transport in ports. Several models and tools have been developed for this purpose; however most of them utilize an over-simplified fuel and energy consumption-based approach. Firstly, a critical review of emissions calculations models was performed, and following the results of this analysis COPERT was chosen to be used as a basis for modeling the fleet in port operation. The next step was to analyse in depth COPERT’s methodology and equations in order to identify potential limitations. The following step was to evaluate and address those limitations by introducing new elements and factors (e.g. emissions from stop-and-go traffic, idling, emissions increase due to air conditioning operation etc.). The final step was the modification of COPERT’s equation and the development of the improved model. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.