Applying Discrete-Event Modelling to Enable Spatio-Temporal Life Cycle Assessment in the Aviation Sector

Abstract

Aviation presents unique challenges for conventional Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) due to its system complexity, long service lifetimes of aircraft, and highly globalised operations. While methodological approaches exist to account for temporal and spatial variations in Life Cycle Inventories (LCIs), they have been applied to limited extent or low spatio-temporal resolution. In this study, we demonstrate how spatio-temporally resolved datasets and life cycle simulation can be systematically integrated into LCAs for aircraft. For this purpose, we combine discrete-event modelling with the LCA framework, dividing the complex aircraft life cycle into individual events, such as single flights or maintenance activities. Each event is characterised by time and location attributes. In this study, maintenance activities are used as a representative use case to demonstrate the approach by allowing dynamic adaptation based on temporal and spatial factors. Our results show, that the implementation of dynamic LCIs in a discrete-event life cycle simulation framework has the potential to increase the accuracy of environmental assessments of aircraft and other complex technical systems. Such dynamic modelling could be particularly relevant for the application of novel technologies, as their benefits may vary substantially over time and space.