SSTI Review of Washington State DOT’s Sustainability Efforts

 

External link: http://ssti.us/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/SSTI_WSDOT_Report.pdf

Publication date: September 1, 2011

Capsule summary: This review was conducted by the State Smart Transportation Initiative to assess the Washington State Department of Transportation’s sustainability efforts.

Author(s): Michael D. Meyer, Ph.D. et al.

Publisher(s): State Smart Transportation Initiative


Definition: Examining the environmental impacts of transportation
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Definition: Governmental agency focused on transportation
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Definition: A written or printed work.
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Description: The Washington State Department of Transportation has been leading the initiative for performance measurement and demand management, and has been working towards finding the best measures for sustainability elements in these two areas. This review consisted of conducting interviews with varying WSDOT stakeholders, including staff, personnel from other transportation agencies, and non-profit representatives regarding WSDOT’s sustainability work.

Objectives: The review aims to assist WSDOT in developing a strategic framework that incorporates financial realities, land usage, and its multimodal network. The review also sets out to provide insight towards surviving in a turbulent environment, creating a cohesive sustainability initiative and institutionalizing sustainability in WSDOT.

Findings: This review found that WSDOT is already leading sustainability initiatives across the nation, and that they already devote a lot of attention towards environmental and social sustainability. The reviewers also found that WSDOT’s two greatest challenges are financially sustaining its transportation infrastructure maintenance and delivering a consistent message regarding its sustainability efforts.

Recommendations: The review offers nine recommendations for enhancing WSDOT’s overall sustainability efforts. Some of these recommendations include, focusing on a cohesive sustainability agenda; closely monitor transportation investments; show sustainable concepts in strategies and initiatives; associate sustainability to a specific message; demonstrate the tangible impacts of sustainability to a wide range of situations; and train staff for consistency.

Research Theme: Environment

Community Type:

Transportation Mode:

Planning Scope:

Organization Type: DOT

Planning Subject: Facility or Land Use, Land Use Planning, Sustainable Transportation, Transportation Planning