The Amitran methodology framework for evaluating the impact of ICT-based measures on CO2 emissions in the transport field

Abstract

Transport is an important source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While the applications of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for transport, also known as Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), are seen as having great potential to help reduce emissions from road transport, their exact impact on CO2 emissions are uncertain for decision makers from government to industry. This uncertainty hinders the deployment of such applications. Therefore, there is a need for a common evaluation approach to assess the CO2 impact of ICT measures in a systemic and realistic way. In this paper, a methodology framework to evaluate the impact of ICT measures on CO2 emissions is explained. The methodology was developed within the EU FP7 project Amitran. In particular, the paper focuses on the outline and the framework architecture of the methodology as well as the required interfaces between the required models. The use of the methodology is demonstrated by applying it to a use case of Dynamic Traffic Light systems. Finally, the efforts made to validate the methodology and make it accessible to users are explained.