ABSTRACT
Background: LCA Methods and Complex SystemsThe other chapters in this volume provide all the relevant detail regarding LCA, and integration of social science into LCA methodologies, that the average reader should require. Against this background, it is useful to the discussion in this chapter to identify the three categories of important limitations regarding LCA methodologies and how they impact application of any such analytical tools to complex technology systems, especially those that are just beginning to emerge. The second section will focus on explicating the characteristics of such systems, using railroad technology as a case study. Finally a framework for evaluating technologies based on work I have performed with D. Sarewitz that is not based on classic life cycle analysis, but rather on the relationship of the technology to society and culture, will be suggested (Allenby & Sarewitz, 2011). The important LCA categories are implicit and explicit boundaries, critical assumptions, and data issues. These categories, although not always identified as such, are familiar to most practitioners, and need not be explored in detail here (Allenby, 2012; Graedel & Allenby, 2010; Hendrickson et al.).
