Purpose

LCA is increasingly used in infrastructure policy and planning. This study maps approaches used in comparativeLCA of road and rail infrastructure to (1) determine the length of the analysis period, (2) estimate the maintenance frequency,and (3) include the efects of climate change on infrastructure performance. A LCA may need to fulfl diferent requirementsin diferent decision-contexts. The relevance of the approaches for decision-making in policy and procurement is thereforediscussed.

Methods

Ninety-two comparative LCAs of road and rail infrastructure published in peer-reviewed journals January 2016–July 2020 were reviewed. Papers were found through a systematic process of searching electronic databases, applying inclusion criteria, and conducting backward and forward snowballing.

Results and discussion

The analysis period was commonly determined based on infrastructure service life. The maintenancefrequency was estimated based on current practice, laboratory tests, modelling, or scenarios. The efects of climate changewere considered in two papers by comparing results in a control case and in a changed climate. In policy and procurement,current practice approaches are not adapted to innovative solutions or to climate change. Modelling and laboratory tests couldimprove calculations of the maintenance phase but might have some limitations related to innovative solutions. Scenarioscould be readily applied in a policy context; however, in procurement, consistent and generic scenarios should be used.

Conclusions

Results suggest what approaches could be used to account for maintenance in infrastructure LCA dependingon the decision-context. The LCA community is suggested to research other approaches than current practice to account forlong analysis periods, climate change, and innovative solutions. Additionally, literature not covered here could be reviewedfor additional approaches and perspectives. Examples include stand-alone LCAs, method development papers, papers onthe individual approaches and decision-contexts, certifcation systems, standards, and guidelines.