Multi-Criteria Approach for Rating Roadway Sustainability

"Green engineering" is the newest technology implemented for sustainability in the design of buildings and most recently highways. Sustainability concepts applied to the design and construction of roadways includes long term planning, new technologies and methods, construction management techniques and resource reuse. Green engineering is part of the global goal of long-term sustainability, which is to meet the needs of today without compromising those of the future. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) rating systems have been heavily promoted and utilized in the construction industry, but only with applications to buildings. There is no such criteria for rating roadway construction. Only one documented attempt has been made to adapt the LEED rating system to highway construction but with limited results. While predominantly used and accepted, the LEED rating points are not quantitative and are not based on any traditional decision making theory. This research presents an evaluation of using the LEED rating system techniques for highway construction. A multi-criteria decision making model (MCDM) is then formulated as a framework for evaluating sustainability in roadway construction. Within Leon County, Blueprint 2000 is an intergovernmental organization to efficiently manage and plan roadway construction projects within Tallahassee, Florida. In cooperation with Blueprint 2000, one of their projects will be used as the local sustainable roadway example. This project will serve as the case study and be evaluated for successful applications of sustainable engineering utilized during roadway design and construction. This research will also include an analysis of the multi-criteria rating system developed on a local roadway project. Research will be comprehensive on the topics of stormwater design, erosion control and the usage of various construction materials. The completion of this research will offer a new insight into rating sustainability and also on both new technologies and innovative practices within the transportation and construction management fields.