Decarbonisation of Urban Freight Transport Systems through Alternative Fuels

Abstract

Alternative fuels are a highly important resource for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. This study includes a critical review that examines the currently available alternative fuel options including potential future developments to predict the most likely and effective options for decarbonising urban freight systems. Specifically, the introduction of this study (section 1) explains the importance of decarbonising road freight and reducing our dependence on non-renewable oil-based fuels. Section 2 involves a general review of different alternative fuel options. The production processes of different alternative fuel types are covered, as well as general information including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and how the fuels are used. Section 3 covers the specific benefits and challenges associated with each alternative fuel type, how they can be of use to urban freight transport systems and the potential issues that could arise when using them. Section 4 summarizes the key information about each alternative fuel type and uses it to make predictions for the possibility of future implementation in the short term, medium term, and long term.