1
Return

Macro-Level Construction Material Supply Chain Analysis for Dynamic Cradle-to-Site A4 Transport Carbon Assessment

delete2026-08-13
delete0
delete
OA
AI
T
Tomo Cerovšek *
I
Igor Jakomin
DOI:10.3390/su18168285delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Construction materials move in large volumes, over varying distances and through fragmented logistics chains. Yet EN 15804 Module A4, which covers transport to the building site, is still often calculated with static assumptions rather than verified transport data. This creates a gap between declared and project-specific cradle-to-site emissions, especially when circular strategies shift flows from factory-to-site towards site-to-site, site-to-processing and processing-to-site logistics. This paper focuses on dynamic A4 assessment, using macro-level analysis to identify the material flows, spatial patterns, transport modes and digital data needed for traceable logistics-based carbon accounting. The framework connects construction material-flow analysis with Digital Product Passports, ISO 14083 logistics data, GS1 Digital Link, GS1 EPCIS and digital-twin concepts. Building-permit data are used as spatial indicators of material sinks and transport-demand hotspots. The analysis uses Slovenian road, rail and maritime freight statistics, operational railway data for construction-related material categories, CDW data and building-permit data for 2020–2024. Results show that domestic road transport accounts for 93–95% of transported construction-material tonnage, while the smaller international freight volume generates nearly half of total ton-kilometers. Macro-level analysis is essential for locating material demand, potential transport hotspots and 5R strategies: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. This study defines key information needs for product identification, transported mass, transport legs, distance, mode, energy pathway, load factor, empty running, logistics events and traceability. The results support policymakers, standardization bodies, contractors, logistics providers, manufacturers, researchers and software developers.
Keywords:
cradle-to-site carbon assessment
transport emissions
construction material supply chains
digital product passport (DPP)
digital twin
EPCIS
EN 15804
ISO 14083

Journal

Sustainability cover
Sustainability
IF:
3.3
Papers:
10.5W
Citations:
28.4W

Organization

U
University of Ljubljana
Scholars:
1.5W
Papers: 1.3W
Citations: 1.7W
U
university of maribor
Scholars:
4.3K
Papers: 4.0K
Citations: 1
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers