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

One of the challenges in developing a sustainability program is not the identification of sustainable actions or rating system criteria. There is a lot of literature and information developed by Departments of Transportation (DOTs), consultants and institutes on sustainable actions and performance measures that can be used as sustainability tools. The challenge lies in how sustainable actions can actually be implemented within a state or municipal DOT organization.  Read More

Many state, county and municipal departments of transportation (DOTs) are spending significant amounts of financial resources on stormwater management; especially for the Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) Permit requirements for post-construction best management practices. Is this really an environmentally and financially sound approach to protect water quality? Read More

Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) is a very popular tool being used by FHWA and State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) in an attempt to improve the transportation planning process, while streamlining the NEPA process. The PEL concept is to integrate environmental, community and economic factors (sounds like sustainability elements) into the planning process.  Read More