Generalizable Approaches for Tracking, Estimating, Optimizing, and Quantifying Uncertainty of Fuel Use in Earthworks Operations

Abstract

Fuel use in earthworks processes are responsible for a considerable portion of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and are directly tied to operation costs. Environmental and financial interests are therefore tied to the mitigation of fuel use. There is limited research devoted to understanding how to estimate, and ultimately minimize fuel use in earthwork processes, prompting a detailed analysis into how factors related to equipment, operations, and worksite influence the consumption of fuel. These factors were investigated in a comprehensive review of literature related to earthwork emissions and fuel use. In seeking to address these inconsistencies found in reviewed fuel use tracking efforts, a set of recommendations for tracking influencing factors during earthworks fuel use studies was developed and outlined in detail. Additionally, a modelling approach was developed to accurately estimate fuel use, GHG emissions, activity duration, and cost in a variety of earthwork contexts.