Project Number:
01-6
Research Project:
A Methodology for Joint Optimization of Service and Life-Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Transportation Systems
P.I. Name & Address:
Maged Dessouky
Professor
Industrial & Systems Engineering
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA90089-0193
Tel: (213) 740-4891
Fax: (213) 740-1120
Email:maged@usc.edu
Mansour Rahimi
Associate Professor
Industrial & Systems Engineering
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA90089-0193
Tel: (213) 740-4016
Fax: (213) 740-1120
Email:mrahimi@usc.edu
Project Objective:
The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a methodological approach for the joint optimization of transit system performance focusing on its life-cycle environmental impacts.This would allow, for example, a transportation planner to operate a transit system in a manner that provides optimal performance while simultaneously minimizing the environmental impacts.Our focus will be on the modeling of demand responsive transit (DRT) systems with large (potentially polluting) vehicles such as minibus dial-a-ride or vanpool programs (as opposed to fixed route transit systems). This type of system was selected due to (1) their flexibility, which allows for re-routing of vehicles, (2) complexity in assessing the environmental burdens, and (2) our prior work and expertise in developing optimization models of DRT. We will also develop this methodology with the objective of making certain that the approach can be directly applied to the joint cost-environmental optimization of virtually any type of transit or transportation system.
Project Abstract:
Transportation is essential to the U.S. economy and social well being.We now know that the environmental impacts and consequences of transportation are quite significant and extend far beyond tail-pipe emissions of criteria pollutants. These impacts cannot be mitigated solely through solutions such as use of "cleaner" fuels.To fully assess the environmental consequences of transportation, use of life-cycle methods is required, and is recommended by USEPA.More importantly, once these life-cycle impacts have been identified, they can also be included in the transportation system optimality criteria (i.e., objective function). To facilitate this development, numerous methodological and practical issues need to be addressed in a rigorous manner. These include disparities in environmental data quality and availability, and structuring and prioritization of objectives. We have found no currently efficient approaches to assess the environmental impacts of transit systems on a life-cycle basis. This project will develop and demonstrate such a methodological approach.We are happy to mention that the core ideas behind this proposal are being supported by California Air Resources Board, where a number of vehicle emission models are currently being used for transportation planning (see the appendix letter from Lynn Terry, Deputy Executive Officer), and MTA (see the appendix letter from Dr. Jimmy Chen, Senior Project Manager IV).
Task Descriptions:
1.Identify operational variables including LCA model 9/01/01 - 10/30/01
2.Develop LCI model and impact estimation data 10/01/01 - 11/31/01
3.Develop LCIA model and consequence data 12/01/01 - 2/31/02
4.Identify optimization model with environmental consequences 03/01/02 - 05/31/02
5.Application of DRT system 05/01/02 - 07/30/02
Milestones, Dates:
Write Final Draft Report 08/01/02 - 08/31/02
Total Budget:
$49,999
Student Involvement:
One Research Assistant @ 33% time for 9 months
Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Extends research of 99-3; part of transit focus area
Technology Transfer Activities:
Collaboration with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Project report will be posted to the website
Potential Benefits of the Project:
Reduced environmental impacts of public transit services
TRB Keywords:
Transit, life cycle costing
Primary Subject:
Measurement characterization and modeling of system performance and impacts measurement
Goals:
Human and natural environment
Enabling Research:
Energy and environment
Modal Orientation:
Transit
