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-Recession

Post Recession

CONSUMERS

Consumers have entered an era of personal responsibility & financial sobriety

They 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 amenities

Employment/finances

Recreation

Environment

Safety

Family

Spirituality

Friends/ neighbors

»

Lack of stress

Health

Entertainment

Arts

Sports

Transportation

Connections

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

https://www.sustainablehighways.org/122/browse.html

• 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

cindy.carlsson@state.mn.us 651-366-3313