Putting the Pieces Together to Achieve Sustainability
Cindy CarlssonMinnesota Department of Transportation
March 1, 2011
Where We Are Today?
Recent economic events and demographic shifts
have changed the outlook for as far as we can see
The New Normal
Pre-RecessionPost Recession
CONSUMERS
Consumers have entered an era of personal responsibility & financial sobrietyThey expect government to do the same!
• Future economic growth depends on increased productivity (more than labor force size)
• Future productivity depends on decisions and investments made today
• The largest gains in productivity will likely come from investments that lead to better outcomes
• Sustainability moves us in this direction!
“Making Things Better” May Offer the Greatest Potential
Sustainable transportation practices respect, support and regenerate environmental systems, the economy and society over many generations
Responding to the New NormalThe Role of Sustainability
How Do We Achieve This?•Use all resources wisely•Consider the needs of future generations•Evaluate a wide range of risks•Protect and enhance the environment •Conserve energy and natural resources •Involve the public in transportation planning processes•Improve quality of life (now and for future generations)•Encourage innovative approaches to the design, operation and maintenance of our facilities
Transportation investments should contribute to quality of life
now and into the future
What Does Quality of Life Mean?Local amenitiesEmployment/financesRecreationEnvironment SafetyFamily SpiritualityFriends/ neighbors
»
Lack of stress HealthEntertainment Arts SportsTransportationConnections
How Does Transportation Impact It?
Quality of Life is a Key Component of Sustainability
• Transportation matters because it impacts quality of life
• Transportation investments must contribute to quality of life now and in the future
There are many pieces to the puzzle. . .
Performance Based Design
CSS
Complete Streets
Asset Management
Modal Planning
Research
Innovative Finance
Scoping
Environmental Review
Risk Assessment
Livable Communities
Quality of Life
Hear Every Voice
Sustainability Has Many Pieces
A Few Examples• Grand Rapids complete streets project• TIGER 2 application• Flood mitigation program• State Smart Transportation Initiative• Quality of Life research• HUD livable communities• More. . .
What’s Next?
Putting More Pieces Together• Build on what Mn/DOT already does in order to
increase sustainability – Incorporate sustainability into the vision and plans– Evaluate where and how to increase sustainability in
planning, maintenance, operations and project delivery– FHWA has a tool that we can use
– Continue improvements in internal business practices– Continue research– Increase collaboration
Vision – Balancing Our Priorities
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Evaluating and Increasing Evaluating and Increasing Sustainability in the Program Sustainability in the Program
• FHWA released the beta version of a FHWA released the beta version of a Sustainable Highway Self-Evaluation Tool Sustainable Highway Self-Evaluation Tool
• A collection of best practices (credits) and A collection of best practices (credits) and scoring system to measures sustainabilityscoring system to measures sustainability
• Using it to evaluate where Mn/DOT is today and Using it to evaluate where Mn/DOT is today and how to most effectively increase sustainabilityhow to most effectively increase sustainability
• System Planning (SP)– Agency-wide network management and planning. Involves having
appropriate policies, procedures and systems in place. Not specific to any one project.
• Project Development (PD) – Development of a project once the general need and proposed
solution are programmed. Includes environmental review, project planning, design, and construction decisions specific to the project.
• Operations & Maintenance (OM): – Agency-wide practices, policies and procedures for overall
functionality and efficiency of a highway network. Not specific to any one project.
Components
The Goal
More Projects Like St. PeterMore Projects Like St. Peter• Reconstruction of 14 blocks of a 4-lane High Reconstruction of 14 blocks of a 4-lane High
Priority Interregional CorridorPriority Interregional Corridor• ““Main Street” through historic downtown Main Street” through historic downtown
business district near the Minnesota Riverbusiness district near the Minnesota River• AADT of 22,000, with HCADT up to 2600AADT of 22,000, with HCADT up to 2600• Designated historic area and streetDesignated historic area and street• Storm sewer, sanitary sewer, watermain, Storm sewer, sanitary sewer, watermain,
signals, signs, lighting, medians, sidewalks signals, signs, lighting, medians, sidewalks • Streetscaping and landscapingStreetscaping and landscaping
Business Impact Mitigation
Utility Reconstruction
Pedestrian Improvements
Mobility Improvements
Historic Character Preserved
Collaboration• Mn/DOT• City of Saint
Peter• Nicollet County• Businesses• SHPO• Contractor
“It s not Mn/DOT’s problem or the city’s or the contractor’s – it’s OUR problem.”
SustainabilityBrings the Pieces Together
Mn/DOT’s Approach to Sustainability• Acknowledges a “new normal” • Uses quality of life to determine the best practices
and the right investments – Transportation impacts quality of life– Investments should contribute to quality of life now and
into the future• Prompts innovation and creative thinking• Supports collaboration
– Mn/DOT controls only a few of the things that contribute to quality of life
Thank you!
Cindy Carlsson, Sustainability ManagerMinnesota Department of Transportation
[email protected] 651-366-3313