Development and Evaluation of Integrated Land-use, Transport and Environment/ Energy Model for Planning of Sustainable Cities

R&D Focus Areas:
Mobility, Computational modelling, Emissions and atmospheric impacts

Lead Organisation:
Swinburne University of Technology

Partners:
Not applicable

Status:
Active

Start date:
August 2021

Completion date:
August 2024

Key contacts:
Gordon Chakaodza – Director, Victorian Hydrogen Hub: gchakaodza@swin.edu.au
Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2): vichydrogenhub@swin.edu.au
Hussein Dia, Project Primary Supervisor: hdia@swin.edu.au
Dorsa Alipour, Project Key Researcher: dalipour@swin.edu.au

Funding:
Victorian Government – Victorian Hydrogen Hub

Project total cost:
AUD$120,000

Project summary description:
This research project aims to develop an integrated framework that combines travel demand strategies and green vehicle technologies to promote sustainable urban mobility. The research project relies on advanced computer-based simulation tools, such as the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies Model (GREET), to assess the environmental and energy-related aspects of transportation technologies. Additionally, it combines the insights from GREET with simulation-based traffic demand models to comprehensively evaluate the impact of low-carbon urban transportation on factors like emissions, energy consumption, and travel patterns, facilitating a more holistic understanding for urban planning and development.

The project’s primary emphasis lies in assessing the performance of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel cell vehicles (FCV) relative to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. This assessment takes the form of a comprehensive ‘well-to-wheel’ analysis, which encompasses the evaluation of fuel and energy production, including clean sources like green hydrogen generated through electrolysis.

The objective is to provide a thorough comparison of FCVs and BEVs, with a particular focus on their specific applications, addressing key factors such as range, charging/refuelling, deployment strategies, energy efficiency, and adoption rates. Importantly, this evaluation acknowledges that the introduction of these vehicles will inevitably influence travel behaviours and land use, necessitating refinements in assessment methodologies to capture these transformations effectively.

Furthermore, this project evaluates emissions from fuel production to operational stages using life-cycle analysis (LCA) pathways. It conducts a baseline scenario that reflects the current conditions in the 2023 Australian transportation landscape, while also factoring in the regional electricity generation mix. Additionally, this project extends its scope to a prospective 2050 analysis to achieve net-zero emissions within Australia’s road transport sector.

Building on insights gathered from the 2023 and 2033 assessments, this long-term evaluation delves into the feasibility and sustainability of diverse low-carbon transportation solutions within the Australian context. The project aims to deliver evidence-based outcomes that can assist stakeholders in assessing various sustainable urban mobility solutions, with the intention of contributing to the promotion of resilient and sustainable cities.

Related publications and key links:

• Alipour, D., & Dia, H. (2023). A Systematic Review of the Role of Land Use, Transport, and Energy-Environment Integration in Shaping Sustainable Cities. Sustainability., 15(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086447

Higher degree studies supported:
One PhD student at Swinburne University of Technology is supported by this project.

 

October 2023