How does moving aggregate by rail reduce environmental impacts?

22 Feb 2011 - 17:39
Anonymous asked the following:

I am looking for more information on the rationale for shifting the transportation of aggregates from road to rail in the UK. Environmental benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions are sometimes cited, but this seems to contradict recent Canadian studies that suggest longer transport distances for rail compared to road, combined with the need to move aggregate from railcars to construction sites by truck will result in higher greenhouse gas emissions.
23 Feb 2011 - 17:39
This is not really a 'standards and specifications' question; it is more related to environmental management. It is all about length of haul from the railhead, which tends to be short in the UK. Also, UK practice is often to use the rail head location for the production of 'added value' products such as ready mixed concrete or bituminous mixtures (asphalt). The Mineral Products Association (MPA) are actively involved with the evaluation of environmental factors, so may be able to give you more specific information.