Authors: I. DOBNIK, F. CEPAK, B. POLJŠAK
Corresponding author: I. DOBNIK
Type of paper: Professional paper
Issue: Volume 5 | number 1 – 2011
Photo: rtvslo.si
Abstract: Scientists share unanimous opinion that changes are happening due to increased concentration of greenhouse effect gasses in atmosphere, mostly affected by industry and traffic. Therefore it was decided to explore effects of these two significant components on the case of the Slovenian biggest port Luka Koper. Specifically the influence of vehicles transportation in automobile terminal of Luka Koper on environment has been analyzed.
The purpose of the research was to explore what damage to environment the carbon dioxide does cause during transporting vehicles in automobile terminal. The main goal was also to calculate the emissions in several ways and afterwards compare the results of different methods. Finally the comparing of the obtained carbon footprint of transportation and the amount of carbon dioxide produced by other port’s activities has been done.
The statistical data of newly licensed vehicles in the Republic of Slovenia and then the number of transported vehicles in Luka Koper in year 2010 was gained. Then the data of newly licensed vehicles were calculated in alignment with the number of transported vehicles in Luka Koper so that it was possible to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide produced by transportation of vehicles. In the empirical part of the study actually all measurement has been implemented in order to determine actual car fuel consumption and furthermore the emissions of carbon dioxide were calculated. All calculations were compared and finally the research team determined the emission amount which is closest to the case of vehicle transportation in Luka Koper.
Emission on the basis of theoretical data of emissions and actual fuel consumption is 159 t/a and 160 t/a of carbon dioxide was calculated. Results obtained by analyzing actual car fuel consumption in empirical part of the study brought us to quite different findings – the emissions of carbon dioxide found were more than ten times higher and ended up at 1.703 t/a.
It was concluded that the carbon footprint of Luka Koper’s segment of vehicle transportation is much larger than the indicative calculations from year 2009 and much higher than the evaluation one could made on the basis of available data.
