ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the lessons learned from the recently completed technical memorandum titled “Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Six Strategies for GHG Reduction in Caltrans Operations” which was funded by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). An emission reduction supply curve framework was developed that uses life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) methodologies and ranks alternative strategies for reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions based on benefit and cost. The report also presented the results of developing and applying the supply curve framework to six strategies for changing Caltrans operations identified by the research team which are briefly discussed in this paper. The strength of the supply curve method is that both LCA and LCCA are used to prioritize strategies for reducing environmental impacts based on cost-effectiveness. One of the major hurdles in the development of the supply curves is the availability and collection of quality data. On one hand, the research team was able to acquire primary data for some strategies while for others, they had to rely on what was available from the literature. The study only looked at GHG emissions and agency life cycle cost. This paper provides further recommendations about the supply curve methodology based on this pilot study.
