Review Topic - Reducing the Environmental Effect of Transporting Aggregate

The transport of aggregate from a quarry or other source to the point of use is essential, but does extend the environmental footprint beyond the originating site by affecting communities in the vicinity of transport routes and infrastructure. It also affects the global environment as it is estimated that transport accounts for between 20% and 40% of the total carbon dioxide emissions generated by the aggregate industry as a whole.

Alternatives to road transport are limited (currently represented by rail: 7.1%, marine dredge: 6.9%, ship: 2.9%, inland waterways: <0.5% of aggregates sold) and even where these are used, the aggregates are likely to be moved by road for part of their journey. The alternative modes of transport will, of course, have their own environmental implications.
 
The ALSF work on transport sits in the context of other work that contributes to improving knowledge and practice for reducing the adverse environmental effects of transport. Of particular relevance to the operators of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) fleets like aggregate lorries is the Freight Best Practice programme, funded by the Department for Transport to promote operational efficiency within freight operations in England.

The environmental effect of transport associated with quarries can logically be divided up into the different phases of the quarry life-cycle.

Planning and design phase

A Transportation Assessment should be carried out as part of a planning application with or without an Environmental Assessment (or periodic review), and should address all the potential issues identified above. Business advisors have been funded through the ALSF to help aggregate transport operators review their businesses and identify action plans to improve the efficiency of their operations.
 
In addition, rail and water freight grants have been offered to help operators transport aggregates by rail or water instead of road where the environmental benefits justify doing so.

The location of the site access point is critical and it should be sited to minimise the impact on any local towns or villages. It may be necessary to change the road layout at the site access point, to maintain traffic flow and improve safety through increased visibility.

Operational phase

Agreed haulage routes are likely to be defined in the planning permission and/or associated legal agreements (Section 106) and it is vital that these are complied with during operation. Drivers should also be encouraged to drive safely and considerately at all times. The 'Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving' (SAFED) scheme has been run as an ALSF project for the aggregates industry, funding the training of driving instructors and drivers to develop their skills.

Every attempt should be made to ensure that there is minimum debris deposited by trucks on the public roads. This means that all loads should be sheeted and will usually require a well designed wheel wash.

Vibration is usually less of a problem than noise, which can be considerable if an empty vehicle is travelling on a poorly maintained road. Bumps and potholes in the road can exacerbate suspension noise, impact noise from movement of tipper bodies, and various rattles. All of these can be reduced relatively easily. Engine and exhaust noise should be reduced by ensuring that vehicles are well maintained.

A research project funded by WRAP is currently in progress considering emissions (carbon and others) at all stages of the aggregates life cycle, including transport.

Post-closure phase

Movement of vehicles in and out of a site undergoing final restoration, following cessation of mineral extraction will need to be controlled in the same way as movement during the excavation phase (even though aggregate production (and therefore transportation) will by that time have ceased). There will be significantly fewer vehicles entering and leaving the site on a regular basis at this stage of the quarry life cycle However, there may still be significant on-site vehicular movements arising from all or some of the following activities: dismantling and removal of quarry plant and buildings; modification or stopping up of site access points; removal and spreading of soils from long term screening bunds; replacement in the void of long term out of pit tips; treatment of quarry faces for long term stability; and planting and landscaping work.

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