Integrating LCA in the Design Process. A BIM-Based Tool to Quantify the Environmental Footprint of Railway Infrastructure Projects

Paper Details

Authors: Reale F.; Biccari C.D.; Fontana C.; Mangia M.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-17987-6_14

Journal: Life Cycle Management from Global to Local

Year: 2026

Publisher: Springer Science+Business Media

Document Type: Book chapter

Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access

Cited by: 0

Abstract

The enhanced circularity required to the construction sector, together with the need to reduce the environmental impacts ask designers and contracting authorities to integrate environmental considerations in the process of design and construction. New “integrated” tools are needed, especially for infrastructure whose design process is complex. In the context of the BIM 4 Rail LCA project, a WebApp was developed able to provide LCA-based information and data for railway infrastructures in an integrated way, interoperable with Building Information Modeling (BIM). The article describes the approach behind the WebApp development, including the description of the context and the main achievements. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2026.

Keywords

Architectural design; Construction industry; Environmental impact; Railroad transportation; Rails; Building Information Modelling; Construction sectors; Contracting authorities; Design and construction; Design-process; Environmental considerations; Environmental footprints; Infrastructure project; Model-based tools; Railway infrastructure; Railroads

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