A Framework for Assessing Transportation Sustainability Rating Systems for Implementation in U.S. State Departments of Transportation
Sustainability has increased in popularity as a key indicator for planning transportation projects. With that movement, evaluating the sustainability of transportation projects has become necessary for state departments of transportation (DOTs). Transportation Sustainability Rating Systems (TSRS) have been adopted for this purpose; however, different TSRSs employ different methods for determining or quantifying sustainability, and emphasize different sustainability factors. Given the number, variability, and specificity of TSRSs available, an evaluation and pairing exercise of available systems is needed to help state DOTs select a system by determining to what extent a given system suits each state DOT’s preferences. This thesis presents a four-step framework that identifies the most important capabilities in a TSRS as preferred by a state DOT and then facilitates weighting of those capabilities via a well-established methodology, the Analytical Hierarchy Process. The thesis also presents the implementation of this framework for Colorado DOT (CDOT), South Dakota DOT (SDDOT), Utah DOT (UDOT) and Wyoming DOT (WYDOT). The framework resulted in the identification of Infrastructure Voluntary Evaluation Sustainability Tool (INVEST) to be the most suitable TSRS for CDOT and WYDOT, Green Leadership in Transportation and Environmental Sustainability (GreenLITES) as the most suitable TSRS for SDDOT, and the results for UDOT were inconclusive. The framework developed for assessing TSRSs was proven to be a viable means for determining rank and suitability of TSRS for DOTs.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
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Corporate Authors:
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Department of Construction Management
Fort Collins, CO United States 80523-1584Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Fort Collins, CO United States 80525 North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND United States 58108Research and Innovative Technology Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Simpson, Sherona P
- Ozbek, Mehmet E
- Clevenger, Caroline M
- Atadero, Rebecca A
- Publication Date: 2014-5
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 89p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Implementation; Measuring methods; Ratings; State departments of transportation; Sustainable transportation; Transportation planning
- Identifier Terms: Colorado Department of Transportation; South Dakota Department of Transportation; Utah Department of Transportation; Wyoming Department of Transportation
- Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; I15: Environment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01529296
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: MPC 14-268
- Contract Numbers: MPC-377
- Files: UTC, TRIS, RITA, ATRI, USDOT
- Created Date: Jun 30 2014 9:41AM