What Does the Operations and Maintenance Score Mean?
INVEST can be used in a number of ways, including as a planning tool, a decision-making tool, and an evaluation tool.
A score is one measure of sustainability at one point in time. It reflects the number of sustainability best practices included and their relative impact on sustainability.
INVEST can be used in a number of ways, including as a planning tool, a decision-making tool, and an evaluation tool. The user can choose to what extent to measure success against the absolute scale of how many overall points are achieved by a given program.
INVEST may be used to score a program based on total points achieved. At this early point in its development, the tool contains rough estimations of the different achievement levels (including bronze, silver, gold and platinum). Because INVEST is not based on third-party validation of scores or certifications, scores are not considered recognition by FHWA that a program has met the achievement level of sustainability; but rather recognition that the user has self-evaluated their program and met the indicated achievement level.
Achievement Levels
The total points a program earns can be compared to a number of “achievement levels” that serve as relative benchmarks for sustainability accomplishments. At this early point in its development, these achievement levels have been set initially but have not yet been finely calibrated. Over time, achievement levels may change to ensure that they are both practical and consistent. This may be accomplished as INVEST is tested and evolves based on feedback. The following table shows the minimum number of points necessary to meet each achievement level.
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