The Center has pioneered new methods in life cycle analysis, design and optimization and has led over 200 research projects focused on a.

This research is a major subtheme of the center. The Center for Sustainable Systems develops and applies life cycle and systems analysis methods, models, and metrics for advancing sustainability and transforming systems to better meet human needs. This work often assesses vehicle, infrastructure, and energy production processes in addition to propulsion.Īs climate change adaptation questions have become more pressing, affiliates of the center have begun applying life cycle thinking to assess transportation system vulnerability and develop strategies to improve resilience. These affiliates are using LCA as a foundational platform to create cutting edge methods and models to reduce energy use and environmental impacts. It is designed to serve as a knowledge hub and repository where researchers and practitioners from around the globe can access LCA information to guide their work.Īffiliates of the center conduct research in a broad range of topics but largely focused on the environmental sustainability assessment of transportation services.

This center focuses on the continued development of LCA for transportation services. LCA is more and more used to assess policy goals. Fig.5: Ceramic mug life cycle Fig.6: Ceramic cup with lid life cycle Fig.7: Paper cup life cycle 4 Inventory analysis All three cups were modeled after existing cups (see figure 4). In transportation, the framework is now routinely used to assess the energy and environmental performance of transportation systems, emerging technologies, changing behaviors, and emerging fuels. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as a critical systems-oriented assessment framework for understanding the complexity, interdependencies, and impacts of infrastructure systems.

Travel mug life cycle analysis