Dynamic LCA Framework for Environmental Impact Assessment of a Tunnel in Northwestern China

Traditional life cycle assessment (LCA) methods for tunnel environmental impact assessment (EIA) often neglect temporal variations. Given that the life cycle of a tunnel is considerably long, it is necessary to consider the impact of time on the results of the environmental impact assessment. To address this limitation, a dynamic LCA framework is developed, incorporating time-dependent consumption data and inventory data. A highway tunnel in Northwest China is used as a case study to demonstrate the application of the proposed framework. Results show notable differences between dynamic and static assessments, with dynamic consumption data having the greatest influence. The proposed framework provides valuable insights for improving environmental management and decision-making in tunnel projects.