TRL to Develop Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment Tool for Pipe Jacking

Date: 8/4/2011

TRL, the UK's leading independent centre for international transport research and consultancy, is to develop a web-based greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) tool, on behalf of the Pipe Jacking Association (PJA). This will enable designers and utility companies to make an early assessment of the carbon savings available, by using non-disruptive trenchless methods, compared to open-cut installation when installing new utility services. Initial appraisals indicate that savings of up to 95% of carbon emissions are achievable by using pipe jacking as the preferred construction method for new installations.

Studies to develop the programme will include both reference to the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2050 - Assessing the Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Goods and Services and the Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE) compiled by the University of Bath. These are used extensively to assess the GHG impact of many materials and processes used throughout the construction industry. The calculator will be a significant enhancement on many calculators available in that in addition to materials and processes the impact of traffic disruption and delays will also be taken into account.

An initial scoping study will assess the processes that consume energy and contribute to emissions, including vehicle movements to and from site for equipment, construction materials and spoil. It will analyse site processes and operations and include clear process mapping and protocol development to facilitate data collection on the separate installation techniques.

The data gathered will be analysed and translated into a web-based tool that can "carbon footprint" utility installations, at the design stage, and make a comparison between open-cut and no-dig methods. It is anticipated that as a project progresses the tool will enable updated and accurate emissions data to be calculated though the input of key project parameters.

Both TRL and the PJA would like to hear from any stakeholders who are interested in the project particularly client organisations, and those working on related initiatives who might have useful data to contribute. In the first instance, please email Matt Wayman at mwayman@trl.co.uk  or telephone:

+44 (0) 1344 770 472

Issued by: The Pipe Jacking Association

For PJA Press Enquiries, please contact:
Andrew Marshall
Email: andrew.marshall@pipejacking.org
Tel: +44 (0) 845 0705201
Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 297111

For TRL Press Enquiries, please contact
Mary Treen or Sarah Bailey
Email: mediaenquiries@trl.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 770514/0141