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Summary and Additional Resources 47 Chapter 9 Summary and Additional Resources This gu ideb ook provides a f le xi bl e fr am ewor k t hrough wh ic h t rans porta ti on agencie s c an ap pl y th e c on c ept s o f sust ainab ili ty th rough per fo rm anc e meas ur em en t . Th e guidebook and a ccom pany in g ma teri al s p rovi de th e resources neede d t o successf ully impl em en t t he fr am ework. SUMMARY While many transportation agencies recognize the importance of sustainability, they often struggle to apply the concepts of sustainability in their core activities. This guidebook provides a flexible framework through which transportation agencies can apply the concepts of sustainability through performance measurement. The guidebook provides the resources needed to establish and use sustainability performance measures and to gauge the effectiveness of strategies to address sustainability. The guidebook was developed keeping in mind that every transportation agency has different resources and goals and faces different challenges to incorporating sustainability. The topics covered include ⢠Understanding the principles of sustainability and its relevance to transportation agencies; ⢠Understanding the use of performance measurement for sustainability; ⢠Describing how an agency can get organized and take a practical, phased approach to implementing performance measurement for sustainability, keeping the resources they have in mind; and ⢠Understanding and applying the sustainability performance measurement framework. Various other tools and resources, such as a compendium of performance measures (included in Appendix B and as an electronic spreadsheet on the CD-ROM that accompanies this
48 A Guidebook for Sustainability Performance Measurement for Transportation Agencies guidebook), a sustainability checklist, and information about existing performance measurement programs and best practices further support the guidance provided. The presentation materials included on the CD-ROM can also be used by your agency to develop an interactive workshop or gathering of a working group to develop performance measures. The final research report that accompanies this guidebook documents the theory, literature, and methodology of the research conducted in developing this user-friendly guidebook. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Some resources you can refer to as you use this guidebook include the detailed research report, the electronic material on the CD-ROM accompanying the guidebook (including the compendium of performance measures and presentation materials), and the appendices to this guidebook. Each of the appendices is described briefly in the following. Appendix A. Defining Sustainability for Your Agency â As discussed in this guide, developing a specific definition of âsustainabilityâ or âsustainable transportationâ is not a fundamental part of the SPM framework. This appendix provides a generally applicable approach that agencies can use if they wish to develop a context-specific sustainability definition. Appendix B. Performance Measures Compendium â The objectives and performance measures contained in the electronic compendium are provided in text format in this appendix. The objectives and measures are organized by goal and focus area for ease of use. Appendix C. Electronic Compendium User Instructions â This appendix contains detailed instructions and screen captures to help users navigate the electronic compendium and filter, sort, and export objectives and performance measures to meet their specific requirements. Appendix D. Sustainability Performance Measure Examples â This appendix provides examples in practice for a selected set of performance measures from the compendium. For each goal, one measure per focus area has been illustrated by an example of a similar measure in use by a transportation agency. Appendix E. Data Sources â This appendix lists some generic resources for data that may be used to support many of the performance measures included in the compendium. Only data sources that may be relevant for a large number of agencies have been included since many others are likely specific to a particular agency or state. Appendix F. Case Studies and Rating Systems Summaries â This appendix contains one-page summaries of the 14 case studies conducted as part of this research project, along with detailed descriptions of eight popular transportation sustainability rating systems that were studied. Appendix G. Project Overview and Interactive Workshop Material â This appendix provides an overview of the presentation and materials included on the CD-ROM of electronic materials accompanying the guidebook. The materials are based on those used by the research team to introduce the main concepts contained in the guidebook and provide hands-on training in using the compendium to identify and develop performance measures.
Summary and Additional Resources 49 Appendix H. Glossary â A glossary of terms used throughout the guidebook and report is provided to assist readers and practitioners.