Sustainability

Transportation agencies are working to implement a “triple bottom line” approach to sustainability by evaluating performance based on of economic, social, and environmental factors. Find resources here to help you evaluate your own agency.
Featured

Roadside Solar: How State DOTs Can Use the Right-of-Way for Renewable Energy Generation

In August 2021, AASHTO’s Sustainability Working Group hosted a webinar focused on roadside solar projects at state DOTs. State DOTs own and maintain significant “right-of-way” or ROW areas along highways that can be used for renewable energy generation. These roadside solar projects can help states meet renewable energy and greenhouse gas emission targets while reducing costs, increasing resilience, and creating new revenue streams.

Sustainability & Transportation

Sustainability plays a key role in transportation planning and execution.

We dive deep into Sustainability best practices for dealing with growth and transportation expansion.

Recent Webinars

Embodied Carbon: How State DOTs Can Evaluate Sustainable Pavements and Building Materials

Embodied carbon is an important component of the total GHG emissions resulting from construction and maintenance projects, including manufacturing building materials, transporting those materials to job sites, and using various construction practices. As a result, states are increasingly considering the environmental effects of the pavements and building materials they choose.

Roadside Solar: How State DOTs Can Use the Right-of-Way for Renewable Energy Generation (August 2021)

In August 2021, AASHTO’s Sustainability Working Group hosted a webinar focused on roadside solar projects at state DOTs. State DOTs own and maintain significant “right-of-way” or ROW areas along highways that can be used for renewable energy generation.

Current Sustainability Efforts Across State DOTs (May 2021)

In May 2021, AASHTO’s Sustainability Working Group hosted a webinar focused on sustainability efforts currently under way across state departments of transportation. The event highlighted results from a national survey conducted by the Working Group.

Community of Practice

The Sustainability Community of Practice (CoP) is a forum for state DOT practitioners, metropolitan planning organization (MPO) practitioners, and other transportation stakeholders to hold regular discussions on emerging sustainability issues, analyze the state of the practice, and share their experiences with implementation.

External Links

Sustainable Highways Initiative Website

INVEST Sustainability Rating Tool: identifies characteristics of sustainable highways and provides information and techniques to help agencies and organizations integrate sustainability best practices into highway and other roadway projects.