Transport Data: Trucks, Trains, Reality
If your EPD feels stuck at the border between factory gate and construction site, nine times out of ten the holdup is transport data. Carriers sit on pallets of numbers but pull them together about as fast as a dial-up modem. Here’s how to tease out what you need, and what to use when the data ghosts you.
Transport modules on the LCA map
Life-cycle assessments treat logistics as two hotspots: A2 (raw materials to your plant) and A4 (finished goods to site). For many construction products these two hops together can push global warming potential up by 10–25 % (EPA GHG Factors Hub, 2025). That is enough to swing a specifier’s decision when two bids look similar.
The gold-standard dataset
Picture a perfectly tuned electric guitar. Ideal transport data has the same clarity: exact route distance, mode split, load factor, fuel type, and a stamped date range. Pull it directly from GPS-equipped trucks, rail waybills, and ocean carrier EDI feeds. Pair it with weight-in-motion scales so you report tonnes not guesses.
Primary data you can actually collect
Most manufacturers do not own satellites, yet you already hold more clues than you think.
- Bills of lading or packing lists show net weight and ship-to postal codes.
- Freight invoices list distance bands and mode.
- Warehouse management systems track pallet IDs leaving the dock.
- Procurement can confirm average backhaul rate for inbound materials.
Five emails beats five weeks of spreadsheet archeology.
Proxy playbook when details are fuzzy
No rail data? Apply the Smart Freight Centre GLEC v3.1 rail factor of 0.016 kg CO₂e per tonne-km (GLEC, 2024). No outbound distance? The CEN c-PCR allows 400 km by Euro VI truck, while EPD Norway caps the default at 300 km (Int. J. LCA, 2023). Always state why the proxy was picked and flag it in the EPD for future revision. Reviewers frown on silent shortcuts.
How program operators view "default"
Program operators treat defaults as lifeboats, not luxury yachts. They expect you to abandon them once real data surfaces. Repeat users who rely only on placeholders risk longer audits and embarrassing clarification rounds.
Packaging, pallets, and dead miles
Cardboard, shrink wrap, and returnable steel racks ride the same lories as your product. Their weight often tops 3 % of the outbound mass yet gets ignored. Ditto for the empty return leg when dedicated fleet trucks head home. Put both into Module A4 or your numbers under-report reality.
Quick wins that speed the declaration
Ask your 3PL to export a six-month CSV of shipments grouped by lane. One file can cover 80 % of your lanes overnight, shaving days off the EPD timeline. If suppliers refuse, use a mass-weighted average over the top ten materials instead of chasing every nut and bolt. Perfection can wait.
Tie the threads
Transport looks messy because it never sits still. Nail down the lanes that matter, defend every assumption with a named source, and you will cruise through verification while the competition is still trying to recieve their mileage reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which transport modes must be included in Modules A2 and A4 of an EN 15804 EPD?
Include every mode that physically moves the product or its raw materials: road, rail, ocean, barge, and air (if used). Drayage, trans-shipment legs, and returnable packaging legs also count. ISO 14083 requires full cradle-to-gate coverage of these modes.
Can I use kilometer ranges instead of exact distances for shipping data?
Yes, but only if the PCR allows a documented default. For example, the CEN c-PCR accepts 400 km by truck when no primary data exist. Always mark the range and show why primary measurement was impossible.
Do I need to include empty backhaul mileage for dedicated company trucks?
If the truck is contractually tied to your product, the empty return leg is part of your responsibility and must be allocated proportionally to transported mass.
What emission factors are acceptable for North American rail freight?
EPA’s 2025 GHG Emission Factors Hub lists 0.017 kg CO₂e per tonne-km for Class-I freight rail. Using this factor keeps you aligned with SmartWay and ISO 14083 guidance.
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
