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- Quest for sustainability: life-cycle emissions assessment of electric vehicles considering newer li-Ion batteriesPublication . Almeida, Arminda; Sousa, Nuno; Rodrigues, João CoutinhoThe number of battery electric vehicle models available in the market has been increasing, as well as their battery capacity, and these trends are likely to continue in the future as sustainable transportation goals rise in importance, supported by advances in battery chemistry and technology. Given the rapid pace of these advances, the impact of new chemistries, e.g., lithium-manganese rich cathode materials and silicon/graphite anodes, has not yet been thoroughly considered in the literature. This research estimates life cycle greenhouse gas and other air pollutants emissions of battery electric vehicles with different battery chemistries, including the above advances. The analysis methodology, which uses the greenhouse gases, regulated emissions, and energy use in transportation (GREET) life-cycle assessment model, considers 8 battery types, 13 electricity generation mixes with different predominant primary energy sources, and 4 vehicle segments (small, medium, large, and sport utility vehicles), represented by prototype vehicles, with both battery replacement and non-replacement during the life cycle. Outputs are expressed as emissions ratios to the equivalent petrol internal combustion engine vehicle and two-way analysis of variance is used to test results for statistical significance. Results show that newer Li-ion battery technology can yield significant improvements over older battery chemistries, which can be as high as 60% emissions reduction, depending on pollutant type and electricity generation mix.
- A case study driven integrated methodology to support sustainable urban regeneration planning and managementPublication . Jesus, Eduardo Natividade; Almeida, Arminda; Sousa, Nuno; Coutinho, JoãoUrban regeneration involves the integrated redevelopment of urban deprived areas, covering physical, socio-economic and environmental aspects of cities, and it is concerned with interventions on early/inner-ring suburbs and historic centers, which are under pressure from population growth and sustainable development policies. The planning and management of urban regeneration interventions usually depend on the city and regional context. Although these interventions involve multiple issues and stakeholders, common characteristics can be identified, thus appealing for a holistic vision and coordination among the various dimensions of the problem. Based on the above context, and on the experience from a large-scale urban regeneration project, this article introduces an integrated methodology to support the planning and management of urban regeneration interventions. The methodology proposes a flexible baseline that can be adapted to urban regeneration projects of different contexts and dimensions, and defines steps, the corresponding stakeholders, and the teams’ engagement, in an integrated framework to plan and oversee urban regeneration actions towards more sustainable and resilient interventions.
- A multicriteria methodology for estimating consumer acceptance of alternative powertrain technologiesPublication . Sousa, Nuno; Almeida, Arminda; Rodrigues, João CoutinhoA multicriteria methodology for estimating consumer acceptance of vehicles with alternative powertrain technologies is presented. The approach is based on the non-compensatory ELECTRE TRI method and compares hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles to conventional models. Criteria considered are ownership costs and restrictions to vehicle use, which apply mainly to electric vehicles. The methodology is applied to a case study of 94 vehicles of different market segments and alternative powertrains. The analysis is carried out per segment and considers two driver profiles, city and all-purpose, and a baseline scenario for all cases. Output is tested for statistical significance, with powertrain technology as disaggregating factor, and a sensitivity analysis on the base scenario is also carried out, as well as a comparison with results derived by a compensatory multicriteria method (TOPSIS). Results show that conventional vehicles are the top choice for the small vehicles segment, due to lower purchase prices and higher use flexibility. For medium sized vehicles, all powertrain technologies are competitive for city drivers, whereas for all-purpose drivers, use restrictions for electric vehicles make these less attractive. The baseline scenario and sensitivity analysis highlight that opting for an electric vehicle depends strongly on the driver's use flexibility needs. As such, an electric vehicle can be either very attractive or outright unusable, regardless of financial considerations. It is also seen that plug-in hybrids do not present any significant advantage, as compared to other, non-electric choices, due to their higher purchase prices.
- Dawn of autonomous vehicles: review and challenges aheadPublication . Sousa, Nuno; Almeida, Arminda; Rodrigues, João Coutinho; Jesus, Eduardo NatividadeThis paper reviews the state of the art on autonomous vehicles as of 2017, including their impact at socio-economic, energy, safety, congestion and land-use levels. This impact study focuses on the issues that are common denominators and are bound to arise independently of regional factors, such as (but not restricted to) change to vehicle ownership patterns and driver behaviour, opportunities for energy and emissions savings, potential for accident reduction and lower insurance costs, and requalification of urban areas previously assigned to parking. The challenges that lie ahead for carmakers, law and policy makers are also explored, with an emphasis on how these challenges affect the urban infrastructure and issues they create for municipal planners and decision makers. The paper concludes with strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis that integrates and relates all these aspects.
- Metodologia de análise de acessibilidade e atratividade dos equipamentos turísticos da zona centro de PortugalPublication . Almeida, Arminda; Pereira, Mariana Oliveira; Sousa, Nuno; Rodrigues, João CoutinhoO turismo em Portugal tem vindo a crescer, sendo fundamental para a economia do país. Este crescimento depende da existência de atrações turísticas e de infraestruturas de transporte para as aceder. Sendo certo que sem atrações não existe turismo, estas apenas podem ser visitadas se as infraestruturas permitirem aos turistas viagens rápidas e cómodas. Baseado nestas duas facetas, o presente trabalho apresenta uma metodologia de análise das atrações turísticas na região centro de Portugal. Para tal, avaliou-se a atratividade de uma forma sistemática e a acessibilidade pela determinação de impedâncias origens-destino. De seguida, aplicou-se o método multicritério de análise de dominância para definir conjuntos de atrações com diferentes níveis de dominância (frentes de Pareto). No final averigua-se quais as regiões que mais beneficiariam com o desenvolvimento das infraestruturas de transporte para o seu complemento com a atividade turística.