MASTERÂ Assignment
a sustainability assessment for Transport Routes in Container Transport
Type : Master M-BIT
Period: Jan, 2021 - Aug, 2021
Student : Naarding, K.B. (Koen, Student M-BIT)
Date Final project: Aug 18, 2021
Supervisors:
Abstract:
The container transport sector faces significant issues when it comes to the sustainability of its operations due to both governmental and non-governmental institutions that are setting goals to reduce emissions from transport. As container transport usually involves many modalities, each with its specific emission impact factors it is difficult to assess the sustainability of container transport routes. This study aims to design and validate an artifact for logistics service providers and their customers that treats the problem of the assessment of sustainability for container transport routes. Specifically, it investigates the applicability of the life cycle assessment methodology for the sustainability assessment of container transport routes. In order to achieve this goal a design science research methodology was chosen. A problem investigation is done through a systematic literature review together with expert interviews. Based on the results of the problem investigation an artifact is designed and implemented in a software tool. Finally, the artifact is validated using a perception based evaluation. The results of this research indicate that the life cycle assessment model can be adapted to container transport and that the artifact provides a way to assess the sustainability of transport routes in container transport. By adapting the life cycle inventory and choosing relevant impact categories for container transport the method can aid practitioners in choosing more sustainable container transport options.