Analysis of the environmental impact of the vertical parking solution using life cycle assessment

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present the results of an analysis of the environmental impact of an innovative vertical parking solution, the so-called smart parking lot. Design/methodology/approach: The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was used for the analysis. The study was conducted in accordance with the recommendations of ISO 14040/44. Calculations were carried out using SimaPro software and the Ecoinvent database. Findings: The analysis identified significant issues in the life cycle of a smart parking lot, i.e., parameters indicating the greatest potential environmental impact of the solution, in categories such as climate change, ozone depletion, carcinogenesis, eutrophication, acidification, use of mineral and metal resources, and fossil fuels. Practical implications: The results presented can be taken into account at the stage of developing eco-innovative technical solutions. Originality/value: The problem of an insufficient number of parking spaces forces the search for optimal urban, economic and environmental solutions for the construction of parking lots. Research results presented in the article represent the first phase of a broader project on the analysis of the environmental impact of selected parking solutions.