Train generic Defra

This category is deprecated. The latest DEFRA methodology for train transport can be found here.

This category contains sub-categories allows users to calculate greenhouse gas emissions from train journeys, based on the type of train. The methodology follows the latest Defra emission factors and advice. For freight emission factors see the Train_Freight_Defra category.

To use this category use the drill-down type to select the type of train used from the following options.

• national - This factor refers to an average emission per passenger km for diesel and electric trains in 2007. The calculation of the factor is based on the total electricity and diesel consumed by the railways in 2007/2008 from the DfT National Modelling Framework Environment Module, and DfT transport statistics on the total number of passenger for 2007/2008.

• underground

• local rail - This factor is based on an average of factors for the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) service, the Manchester Metrolink, Tyne and Wear Metro, Glasgow underground, Supertram, Midland Metro and the Croydon Tramlink. These factors were based on annual electricity consumption and passenger km data provided by the network operators in 2008 and a CO2 emission factor for grid rolling average electricity.

• tram - This factor is based on an average of factors for the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) service, the Manchester Metrolink, Tyne and Wear Metro, Glasgow underground, Supertram, Midland Metro and the Croydon Tramlink. These factors were based on annual electricity consumption and passenger km data provided by the network operators in 2008 and a CO2 emission factor for grid rolling average electricity.

• international - This factor is based on an average of the figures provided on the Eurostar website for the London-Brussels and London-Paris Eurostar routes.

The distancePerJourney is then required as a profile item value. There are three further optional profile item values, isReturn, numberOfJourneys, numberOfPassengers. The isReturn profile item can be set to either true or false (false by default), if true the algorithm doubles the numberOfJourneys. The emissions for one journey for one person are multiplied by the numberOfJourneys and numberOfPassengers (each have a default of 1) to give the total emissions for the people and journeys the user wishes to calculate for.

Algorithm

CO2eEmissionFactor = CO2EF + CO2eEFForN2O + CO2eEFForCH4

CO2e = CO2eEmissionFactor * distancePerJourney * numberOfJourneys * numberOfPassengers

The algorithm returns a value of kgCO₂e for the selected journey. This value includes contributions from carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane.