Project Development

The Project Development (PD) module includes 33 criteria that are generally organized from planning to design to construction, with the exception of PD-30 through PD-33 which were added for INVEST Version 1.2. This section includes all of the criteria for evaluating sustainability within a project. Using this section, you can:

Review all the criteria that are included in the Project Development module;
Use the filters on the right side tool bar to filter criteria by Scorecard;
Download individual criterion write-ups (when browsing specific criteria); and
View the Case Studies and Criterion Examples specific to each criterion (a feature only available online, not within the PDF.)

Visit the INVEST 1.3 Library to download the PD Compendium (all criteria within the PD module.)

All Scorecards


PD-01 Economic Analyses Using the principles of benefit-cost analysis (BCA) or economic impact analysis (EIA), provide evidence that the benefits, including environmental, economic, and social benefits, justify the full life-cycle costs.
PD-02 Lifecycle Cost Analyses Reduce life-cycle costs and resource consumption through the informed use of life-cycle cost analyses of key project features during the decision-making process for the project.
PD-03 Context Sensitive Project Development Deliver projects that harmonize transportation requirements and community values through effective decision-making and thoughtful design.
PD-04 Highway and Traffic Safety Safeguard human health by incorporating science-based quantitative safety analysis processes within project development that will reduce serious injuries and fatalities within the project footprint.
PD-05 Educational Outreach Increase public, agency, and stakeholder awareness of the integration of the principles of sustainability into roadway planning, design, and construction.
PD-06 Tracking Environmental Commitments Ensure that environmental commitments made by the project are completed and documented in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and issued permits.
PD-07 Habitat Restoration Avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, and compensate the loss and alteration of natural (stream and terrestrial) habitat caused by project construction and/or restore, preserve, and protect natural habitat beyond regulatory requirements.
PD-08 Stormwater Quality and Flow Control Improve stormwater quality from the impacts of the project and control flow to minimize their erosive effects on receiving water bodies and related water resources, using management methods and practices that reduce the impacts associated with development and redevelopment.
PD-09 Ecological Connectivity Avoid, minimize, or enhance wildlife, amphibian, and aquatic species passage access, and mobility, and reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions and related accidents.
PD-10 Pedestrian Facilities Provide safe, comfortable, convenient, and connected pedestrian facilities for people of all ages and abilities within the project footprint.
PD-11 Bicycle Facilities Provide safe, comfortable, convenient, and connected bicycling facilities within the project footprint.
PD-12 Transit and HOV Facilities Promote the use of public transit and carpools in communities by dedicating existing facilities to those uses, upgrading existing lanes, or providing new transit and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities.
PD-13 Freight Mobility Enhance mobility of freight movements, decrease fuel consumption and emissions impacts, and reduce freight-related noise.
PD-14 ITS for System Operations Improve the efficiency of transportation systems through deployment of technology and without adding infrastructure capacity in order to reduce emissions and energy use, and improve economic and social needs.
PD-15 Historic, Archaeological, and Cultural Preservation Preserve, protect, or enhance cultural and historic assets, and/or feature National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) historic, archaeological, or cultural intrinsic qualities in a roadway.
PD-16 Scenic, Natural, or Recreational Qualities Preserve, protect, and/or enhance routes designated with significant scenic, natural, and/or recreational qualities in order to enhance the public enjoyment of facilities.
PD-17 Energy Efficiency Reduce energy consumption of lighting systems through the installation of efficient fixtures and the creation and use of renewable energy.
PD-18 Site Vegetation, Maintenance and Irrigation Promote sustainable site vegetation within the project footprint by selecting plants and maintenance methods that benefit the ecosystem.
PD-19 Reduce, Reuse and Repurpose Materials Reduce lifecycle impacts from extraction and production of virgin materials by recycling materials.
PD-20 Recycle Materials Reduce lifecycle impacts from extraction, production, and transportation of virgin materials by recycling materials.
PD-21 Earthwork Balance Reduce the need for transport of earthen materials by balancing cut and fill quantities.
PD-22 Long-Life Pavement Minimize life-cycle costs by designing long-lasting pavement structures.
PD-23 Reduced Energy and Emissions in Pavement Materials Reduce energy use in the production of pavement materials.
PD-24 Permeable Pavement Improve flow control and quality of stormwater runoff through use of permeable pavement technologies.
PD-25 Construction Environmental Training Provide construction personnel with the knowledge to identify environmental issues and best practice methods to minimize impacts to the human and natural environment.
PD-26 Construction Equipment Emission Reduction Reduce air emissions from non-road construction equipment.
PD-27 Construction Noise Mitigation Reduce annoyance or disturbance to surrounding neighborhoods and environments from road construction noise.
PD-28 Construction Quality Control Plan Improve quality by requiring the contractor to have a formal Quality Control Plan (QCP).
PD-29 Construction Waste Management Utilize a management plan for road construction waste materials to minimize the amount of construction-related waste destined for landfill.
PD-30 Low Impact Development Use low impact development stormwater management methods that reduce the impacts associated with development and redevelopment and that mimic natural hydrology.
PD-31 Infrastructure Resiliency Planning and Design Respond to vulnerabilities and risks associated with current and future hazards (including those associated with climate change) to ensure transportation system reliability and resiliency.
PD-32 Light Pollution To safely illuminate roadways while minimizing unnecessary and potentially harmful illumination of the surrounding sky, communities, and habitat.
PD-33 Noise Abatement Reduce traffic noise impacts to surrounding communities and environments.