Road Infrastructure Design for Optimizing Sustainability

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Magnus Mosley
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1 Road Infrastructure Design for Optimizing Sustainability Junior Researcher: Paola Carolina Bueno University Tutor: Prof. Jose Manuel Vassallo EIB co-tutors: Kevin Cheung Pasquale Staffini Luxembourg, January 24 th, 2013.

2 Contents 1. Definitions of Sustainability 2. Methods and Techniques 3. Preliminary findings (Research Gap) 4. Research Objective 5. Methodology 6. Deliverables and Activities 7. Research Contribution to the EIB

3 1. Sustainability Three rather distinct definitions A fashionable word All these definitions taken from different points of view are inconsistent Biologist Many arguments are centered around a "vague and elusive notion There is not a logically consistent and commonly accepted definition of sustainability Different notions of sustainability Source: Gatto, M (1995)

4 Sustainable development... is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own Needs. WCED (1987).... is economic development that endures in the long run. Turner, R. (1993). is a dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and improve their quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth s life support systems. Forum For the Future (2005).... is a vision of progress that integrates immediate and longer-term needs, local and global needs, and regards society, environment and economics as inseparable and interdependent. Gilmour et al. (2011).

5 Sustainable development Sustainable development is still seen as a complex issue that is hardly definable in practical terms

6 2. Methods and techniques Strengths Provide decision making tools under sustainability issues Weaknesses Not based on standardized methods of performance measurement Models Rating Systems Main appraisal tools Strengths Useful to rank, score and compare projects Weaknesses Roughly evaluate sustainability (e.g., CBA) Strengths Rigour and rationality Largely formalised Common language used worldwide Weaknesses Problems when evaluating incommensurable goods Limited considerations regarding equity Source: Based on Beria et.al., (2012); Browne, D. & Ryan, L. (2011) and Omura, M.(2004)

7 3. Preliminary findings Difficult for engineering designers to incorporate sustainable concepts into their work. Tsai, C. and Chang, A. (2012) Traditionally accepted quantitative methods, do not adequately address all sustainability components. University of Washington, Greenroads Manual (2011) The real challenge lies in understanding how to operationalise sustainability. Gilmour et al. (2011) Linear infrastructure projects are not assessed in practice by any tools or methodologies with regards to their sustainability. Fernández, G and Rodríguez, F. (2010)

8 4. Objective To identify gaps in the current methods and techniques for traditional sustainable assessment To develop a tool for ensuring the effective incorporation of all sustainability issues in the design of road projects and investment decisions.

9 5. Methodology Phase A: State of Knowledge and Practice Phase B: Design of the sustainability framework and tool Phase C: Application of the framework to a case study Phase D: Production of the final report and dissemination

10 6. Deliverables and activities Deliverables Deliverable State of knowledge and practice Monitoring tool and a sustainability enhancement framework Draft final report Guidelines for introducing Sustainability Criteria in the Evaluation of Road Projects Type of Deliverable Working Paper Working paper Working paper Final paper Activities Dissemination activities Website dedicated to the programme March 2013 Final seminar with international experts aimed at discussing the final results with experts in the field Deadline December 2013

11 7. Contribution to the EIB In conclusion, By including sustainability in Road Projects we expect to enhance the technical assistance for EU Members in preparing high-quality road infrastructure projects to be submitted for co-financing under the Structural and Cohesion Funds. Thus, the European Regulations that pertain to the application of Funds will prioritize road projects on a sustainable basis.

12 Thank you!

13 References Azapagic, A. (2003). Systems approach to corporate sustainability: a general management framework. Trans IChemE 81 (part B), Browne, D. and Ryan, L. (2011). Comparative analysis of evaluation techniques for transport policies. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 31, Beria, P., Maltese, I. and Mariotti, I. (2012) Multicriteria versus Cost Benefit Analysis: a comparative perspective in the assessment of sustainable mobility. European Transport Research Review, 4, European Commission (2008). Guide to cost-benefit analysis of investment projects. Structural Funds, Cohesion Fund and Instrument for Pre-Accession. Fernández, G and Rodríguez, F. (2010). A methodology to identify sustainability indicators in construction project management Application to infrastructure projects in Spain. Ecological indicators, Forum for the Future (2005). Ten Years of Transformation. Forum for the Future, London, Annual Report Reporting on January December Gatto, M. (1995). Sustainability: Is it a Well Defined Concept?. Ecological applications, 4, Gilmour, D., Blackwood,D., Banks, L. and Wilson, F. (2011). Sustainable development indicators for major infrastructure projects. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers,

14 References Lee, J., Edil, T., Benson, C. and Tinjum, J. (2011). Evaluation of Variables Affecting Sustainable Highway Design With (BEST)-S-2-in-Highways System. Transportation Research Record, Leather, K. and Parker, N. (2009). SDM: Sustainability decision model. Mihyeon, C. and Amekudzi, A. (2005). Addressing Sustainability in Transportation Systems: Definitions, Indicators, and Metrics. Journal of Infrastructure Systems, 11, Omura, M. (2004). Cost-benefit analysis revisited: is it a useful tool for sustainable development. Kobe University Economic Review, 50, Turner, R. (1993) Sustainability: principles and practice. Sustainable Environmental Economics and Management: Principles and Practice, Tsai, C. and Chang, A. (2012). Framework for developing construction sustainability items: the example of highway design. Journal of Cleaner Production, 20, University of Washington(2011). Greenroads Manual v1.5. WCED (1987). Our common future. The World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford, Worcester Polytechnics Institute (2009). Green Guide for Roads Rating System. A Major Qualifying Project Report For the Stantec Sustainable Design Project Site.

MONITORING COMMITTEE Operational Programme I. JEREMIE Criteria

MONITORING COMMITTEE Operational Programme I Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life JEREMIE Criteria 20 th May 2010 Background JEREMIE is a joint initiative between, the EC, EIB and