There is a relatively new infrastructure sustainability rating tool that has been released by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) called Envision. The rating system was released in January, 2012 and started accepting ISI certification applications in September, 2012. Unlike most rating systems that are specific to buildings and transportation systems, the Envision Sustainability Rating Program has been developed to integrate sustainability into all types of infrastructure projects such as airports, pipelines, drainage projects, land developments, mining operations, etc. (except buildings). The Envision Rating Program has a unique rating system that is a holistic-systems-based approach that rates and scores projects in terms of “levels of achievement” toward obtaining resource enhancement and restoration (highest levels), as oppose to the simplistic yes/no rating system checklist used by other sustainability rating systems. Read More

Is developing a transportation sustainability program and establishing project level best practices (criteria) cost effective?

This question is one of the reasons why sustainability programs have not been well adopted and endorsed by many transportation management, engineering and maintenance representatives at the federal, state and local level and transportation lending institutions. Sustainability-cost effectiveness is an area that has not been well articulated to upper management and key decision makers.
The bottom-line is that many of the transportation decision makers do not care or see the value of sustainable elements, such as environmental habitat enhancement, unless there is a cost savings or perceived value. It is a challenge to put a cost toward increasing lynx mobility via sub-grade animal crossings or avoidance of species habitat. Read More

Departments of Transportations (DOTs) and some municipal transportation departments have sustainability policies, programs and projects that are consistent with their environmental philosophy, stewardship guidance and mission statements. They fund numerous types of research projects in an attempt to protect and enhance the traveling public (community), the local environment and economic-social resources.  Some DOTs and municipalities have programs or guidance that address sustainability based element integration into transportation planning, NEPA, design, operation and maintenance and demolition. Many sustainability based actions are consistent with state and local climate action plans and existing stewardship guidance. Read More