On December 9th 2015, iCET (Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation) presented its vision for “Transportation in the Era of Big Data: Development of the Global Live-CycleTM Framework Methodology” at the UN Framework Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, attracting broad interests from many international organizations. The plan has received support recently from the National Geographic Society’s Air and Water Conservation Fund in China through a grant for the project: “Transportation in the Era of Big Data: Public-Private Cooperation on Transportation Data”. This project, announced by the two parties on January 20th 2016, will kick off big data and global value chain (GVC) studies, as well as promotion of the concept of sustainability.
iCET earned support from National Geographic mainly due to its innovative Live-CycleTM framework methodology, which utilizes the GVC framework and big data analytics to conduct comprehensive and dynamic analysis of real-time data. We believe this innovative approach would one day replace the traditional methods that relies on sample statistics and lab test (test-cycle) information, thus ushering in an era of big data that is based on real-time, accurate, and life-cycle information, allowing “sustainability” to be measured and quantified in the real-world condition. The recent Volkswagen scandal has revealed the limitations and potential pitfalls of the traditional methods and urgently calls for new methodologies such as Live-CycleTM and the green innovations they could bring with. Through in-depth analysis of the impact of individual activities in the value chain system, the Live-CycleTM framework methodology will be able to help decision-makers across different sectors to develop more comprehensive and efficient low-carbon plans and policies, as well as strategies for sustainable urban development and better solutions for socio-economic and environmental problems.
“Transportation in the Era of Big Data: Public-Private Cooperation on Transportation Data”, will serve as the pilot project for iCET’s “Green Lifestyle Initiative” and Live-CycleTM framework methodology, with initial studies focusing on urban transportation in Chengdu, China. The project will integrate real-time urban transportation data from various information and communications technology (ICT) platforms (such as Uber and other ride-hailing apps, GPS, smart city applications, public transportation systems, etc) to gain a better understanding of the usage of transportation systems in the real world. Outcomes from the study will be based on real data and will include: 1) carbon footprint calculations per trip; 2) life-cycle “green” index for different car models; 3) real-time analysis of fuel economy and emission factors (comparison of test-cycle lab data versus actual operational data); and 4) the impact of innovative apps (such as Uber and Didi Dache), regulatory policies, and transportation planning on urban transportation systems.
At the 2015 UNFCCC, iCET also revealed plans to develop the “Pathway to a Prosperous Planet” initiatives based on the Live-CycleTM framework methodology and the transportation pilot project. As part of these initiatives, a “Green Rating System” will be developed to provide a more accurate scientific basis for sustainable policy-making and business, thereby promoting the development of low carbon economy and optimization of the global value chain.
To better promote Live-CycleTM ， green lifestyle, and the concept of inclusive business, iCET will also invite international organizations such as the OECD and World Bank, as well as like-minded commercial organizations, to collaborate in the development of a global sustainable initiative and an integrated green rating system.
