Operations Research for Green Logistics – An Overview of Aspects, Issues, Contributions and Challenges

The purpose of this review article is to investigate the usefulness of different types of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of electrified vehicles to provide robust and relevant stakeholder information. It presents synthesized conclusions based on 79 papers. Another objective is to search for explanations to divergence and “complexity” of results found by other overviewing papers in the research field, and to compile methodological learnings. The hypothesis was that such divergence could be explained by differences in goal and scope definitions of the reviewed LCA studies. The review has set special attention to the goal and scope formulation of all included studies. First, completeness and clarity have been assessed in view of the ISO standard’s (ISO 2006a, b) recommendation for goal definition. Secondly, studies have been categorized based on technical and methodological scope, and searched for coherent conclusions. Comprehensive goal formulation according to the ISO standard (ISO 2006a, b) is absent in most reviewed studies. Few give any account of the time scope, indicating the temporal validity of results and conclusions. Furthermore, most studies focus on today’s electric vehicle technology, which is under strong development. Consequently, there is a lack of future time perspective, e.g., to advances in material processing, manufacturing of parts, and changes in electricity production. Nevertheless, robust assessment conclusions may still be identified. Most obvious is that electricity production is the main cause of environmental impact for externally chargeable vehicles. If, and only if, the charging electricity has very low emissions of fossil carbon, electric vehicles can reach their full potential in mitigating global warming. Consequently, it is surprising that almost no studies make this stipulation a main conclusion and try to convey it as a clear message to relevant stakeholders. Also, obtaining resources can be observed as a key area for future research. In mining, leakage of toxic substances from mine tailings has been highlighted. Efficient recycling, which is often assumed in LCA studies of electrified vehicles, may reduce demand for virgin resources and production energy. However, its realization remains a future challenge. LCA studies with clearly stated purposes and time scope are key to stakeholder lessons and guidance. It is also necessary for quality assurance. LCA practitioners studying hybrid and electric vehicles are strongly recommended to provide comprehensive and clear goal and scope formulation in line with the ISO standard (ISO 2006a, b).

/pdf/environmental-impacts-of-hybrid-plug-in-hybrid-and-battery-2js5oja8ce.pdf

Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment?

SMARTS and SMARTER: Improved Simple Methods for Multiattribute Utility Measurement

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods are widely used in various fields and disciplines. While most of the research has been focused on the development and improvement of new MCDA methods, relatively limited attention has been paid to their appropriate selection for the given decision problem. Their improper application decreases the quality of recommendations, as different MCDA methods deliver inconsistent results. The current paper presents a methodological and practical framework for selecting suitable MCDA methods for a particular decision situation. A set of 56 available MCDA methods was analysed and, based on that, a hierarchical set of methods' characteristics and the rule base were obtained. This analysis, rules and modelling of the uncertainty in the decision problem description allowed to build a framework supporting the selection of a MCDA method for a given decision-making situation. The practical studies indicate consistency between the methods recommended with the proposed approach and those used by the experts in reference cases. The results of the research also showed that the proposed approach can be used as a general framework for selecting an appropriate MCDA method for a given area of decision support, even in cases of data gaps in the decision-making problem description. The proposed framework was implemented within a web platform available for public use at www.mcda.it.

Generalised framework for multi-criteria method selection

Total cost of ownership and market share for hybrid and electric vehicles in the UK, US and Japan

In this contribution, the multi actor multi criteria analysis (MAMCA) to evaluate transport projects is presented. This evaluation methodology specifically focuses on the inclusion of the different actors that are involved in a project, the so-called stakeholders. Like the traditional multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA), it allows including qualitative as well as quantitative criteria with their relative importance, but within the MAMCA they represent the goals and objectives of the multiple stakeholders. As such, the stakeholders are incorporated in the decision process. The theoretical foundation of the MAMCA method is shown, together with several applications in the field of transport appraisal.

Multi actor multi criteria analysis (MAMCA) as a tool to support sustainable decisions: State of use

A Combined AHP-PROMETHEE Approach for Selecting the Most Appropriate Policy Scenario to Stimulate a Clean Vehicle Fleet

The Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis (MAMCA) application in the Flemish long-term decision making process on mobility and logistics

A multi-actor multi-criteria framework to assess the stakeholder support for different biofuel options: The case of Belgium

This study aims at understanding how a general positive attitude toward the
environment results in a limited purchase of environmentally friendlier cars,
often referred to as the attitude-action gap. In a first experiment 27 volunteers
performed a judgment task on car purchase intention. Participants were asked
to evaluate the probability of buying cars varying in purchase price,
environmental performance, operating cost and vehicle quality. A second
experiment required 47 participants to express their purchase intention of
vehicles varying in driving experience, environmental aspects, Life-Cycle
Costs and vehicle quality. Results in both experiments show that participants
integrate car attribute information according to a differential weighting
averaging rule. Model weight and scale values show to be indicative of a
positive attitude toward environmental performance. On the other hand, the
empirically established model weights consistently indicate that
environmental performance is outweighed by other car attributes.
Conceptually, the averaging integration model provides an explanation about
the psychology of the attitude-action gap. Implications for policy making are
discussed.

/pdf/understanding-the-attitude-action-gap-functional-integration-1yji1c9xta.pdf

Laurence Turcksin

Papers

Multi actor multi criteria analysis (MAMCA) as a tool to support sustainable decisions: State of use

A Combined AHP-PROMETHEE Approach for Selecting the Most Appropriate Policy Scenario to Stimulate a Clean Vehicle Fleet

The Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis (MAMCA) application in the Flemish long-term decision making process on mobility and logistics

A multi-actor multi-criteria framework to assess the stakeholder support for different biofuel options: The case of Belgium

Understanding the attitude-action gap: functional integration of environmental aspects in car purchase intentions.