Case Studies
Manufacturer Production Machinery
The main contributor to carbon emissions in this use case is electricity consumption during machine operation, rather than maintenance activities. Tool usage and replacement (e.g., cutting tools in CNC machines) significantly influence energy efficiency and emission levels. Given the long lifespan and minimal maintenance needs of the machines, the focus should shift toward optimizing tool replacement strategies to reduce energy consumption, improve efficiency, and minimize waste.
Railway Switches and Crossings
Crossings are among the most maintenance-intensive assets in railway infrastructure, highly vulnerable to degradation due to dynamic loads and adverse weather. Analysis based on data from the Bandel 120 line near Boden, Sweden, indicates that inspection routines and the associated logistics—especially transportation—are the major contributors to CO₂-equivalent emissions. Effective strategies for minimizing emissions should therefore focus on optimizing inspection frequency, logistics, and the associated transportation efforts.
Rolling Stock Wheelsets
The LCA of wheelsets reveals that significant environmental benefits can be achieved by extending the component lifespan through optimized refurbishment and re-profiling strategies. Prioritizing wheelsets with higher damage rates and refining turning operations can reduce material usage and manufacturing emissions. While upstream emissions must be considered as constants, the real- time tracking of CO₂e emissions is feasible when supported by high-quality operational and maintenance data.
Track in Railway Infrastructure
This use-case focuses on railway tracks and compares the environmental impacts of condition-based maintenance strategies with traditional periodic maintenance on a freight railway line that was recently upgraded to accommodate passenger traffic. The main motivation for selecting this use-case lies in the significant environmental impact associated with the renewal, construction, and maintenance of railway track systems, particularly in the context of recent infrastructure upgrades in Portugal aimed at enhancing accessibility, service reliability, and sustainability. The assessment applies recognized methodologies to quantify environmental, economic, and social impacts. The analysis spans the full lifecycle of maintenance and repair actions, with a particular focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the overall carbon footprint.