Lecture 7 - Sustainable Transportation Rating Systems - Part 2
Sustainable Transportation Curriculum for Universities
Slide 1
LECTURE 7: Sustainable Transportation Rating Systems - Part 2
Slide 2
Rating Systems for Infrastructure
Prominent sustainability infrastructure rating systems:
- BE2ST-in-Highways
- Envision
- GreenLITES
- Greenroads
- I-LAST
- INVEST
These systems employ different methods of determining sustainability emphasizing different sustainable factors.
Slide 3
I-LAST
Illinois Livable And Sustainable Transportation
- Encourages sustainable practices in highway construction
- Voluntary, paper-based, self-assessment tool
-
Developed as a collaborative effort with:
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
- American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC)
- Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association (IRTBA)
-
I-LAST can be used throughout:
- Conceptual phase
- Design phase
- Future construction
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I-LAST (continued)
Utilizes eight major categories:
- Planning
- Design
- Environmental
- Water quality
- Transportation
- Lighting
- Materials
- Innovation
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I-LAST (continued)
Distributes 153 sustainable criteria under 17 broader criteria headings
1–3 points awarded per criterion
Maximum of 233 points available
No calculations, just yes/no answers
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I-LAST (continued)
Percentage score based on ratio of points awarded to points achievable
No awards system — pending feedback from users
Not really a rating tool — just a guidebook
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INVEST
Criteria defined according to sustainable best practices under three headings:
- Planning (17 criteria)
- Project development (20 or 29 criteria)
- Operations and maintenance (14 criteria)
https://www.sustainablehighways.org/
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INVEST
System generates questions that require answers from administrators — score is awarded based on answers
Project awards:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
No third-party certification, but awards serve as unofficial recognition by FHWA.
https://www.sustainablehighways.org/
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COMPARISON OF Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Systems
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Comparison of Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Systems
System | Planning & Design | Construction | Operations & Maintenance | Total Points |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE2ST-in-Highways | X | |||
Envision | X | X | X | 708 |
GreenLITES | X | X | X | 290 |
Greenroads | X | X | 118 | |
I-LAST | X | 233 | ||
INVEST | X | X | X | 576 |
How do the rating systems compare in the four major categories of environmental, water quality, energy, and materials?
Source: C. M. Clevenger, M. E. Ozbeck, and S. Simpson. Review of Sustainability Rating Systems Used for Infrastructure Projects. 49th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings, 2013.
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Environmental

“∞” indicates the sub-criteria are represented elsewhere in the system
Source: C. M. Clevenger, M. E. Ozbeck, and S. Simpson. Review of Sustainability Rating Systems Used for Infrastructure Projects. 49th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings, 2013.
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Water Quality

Source: C. M. Clevenger, M. E. Ozbeck, and S. Simpson. Review of Sustainability Rating Systems Used for Infrastructure Projects. 49th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings, 2013.
Slide 13
Energy

Source: Caroline M. Clevenger, M. E. O., & Simpson, S. (2013). Review of Sustainability Rating Systems used for Infrastructure Projects. 49th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings.
Slide 14
Materials

Source: C. M. Clevenger, M. E. Ozbeck, and S. Simpson. Review of Sustainability Rating Systems Used for Infrastructure Projects. 49th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings, 2013.
Slide 15
Summary
System | Envir. | Water | Energy | Materials | Other | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BE2ST-in-Highways (points determined by project team) | ||||||
Envision | 36% | 25% | 8% | 18% | 13% | 100% |
GreenLITES | 6% | 3% | 4% | 7% | 80% | 100% |
Greenroads | 10% | 10% | 7% | 19% | 54% | 100% |
I-LAST | 22% | 15% | 7% | 17% | 39% | 100% |
INVEST | 8% | 2% | 7% | 10% | 73% | 100% |
Each system has different areas of emphasis.
Slide 16 [end]
LECTURE 7: Sustainable Transportation Rating Systems - Part 2