A Guidebook for Sustainability Performance Measurement for Transportation Agencies (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix D - Sustainability Performance Measure Examples
Appendix D - Sustainability Performance Measure Examples
Pages 127-162
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From page 127... ...
are valuable resources for agencies building a sustainability performance measures program. The range of documents listed as references also provides an indication of the types of departments, programs, and policies that incorporate measures that can be used for sustainability measurement.
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From page 128... ...
The measure is a calculation of the number of projects included in the funded program. Data source: Arizona DOT Analysis scale: Roadway, local, regional, statewide Background: The Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Plan underlies the state's safety vision: "Zero fatalities on Arizona roads; your life depends on it," or the Every One Counts vision.
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From page 129... ...
Data source: Kentucky Transportation Center Focus area: Project development Objective: Develop project with explicit safety considerations Measure: Selected project design has highest reduction out of all alternatives Focus areas: Construction and maintenance Objective: Reduce crash risk in work zones Measure: Change in number of crashes per time unit within a particular work zone Analysis scale: Statewide
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From page 130... ...
Data source: King County Metro Transit Analysis scale: Service area Background: The annual report provides information and the transit agency's operating and financial statistics. Goal 2: Provide a Transportation System That Offers Accessibility That Allows People to Fulfill at Least Their Basic Needs Agency: Metropolitan Transportation Commission, California Document/website: Transportation 2030 Equity Analysis Report http://www.mtc.ca.gov/planning/2030_plan/downloads/EJ/T2030EquityAnalysisReport.pdf Agency example measure: Number of jobs accessible by auto and transit within 15, 30, and 45 minutes Focus area: System operations Objective: Reduce the crash risk of the traveling public using transit Measure: Number of fatal and disabling injuries sustained by transit users as a portion of 100 million passenger miles traveled or of 100,000 riders Focus area: Planning Objective: Ensure accessibility to jobs Measure: Change in the number of jobs within reasonable travel time (by mode)
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From page 131... ...
Data source: Metropolitan Transportation Commission Analysis scale: Regional Background: This measure is included in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's 2030 Equity Analysis Report. The report measures the benefits and burdens associated with the proposed transportation projects in the Transportation 2030 plan to ensure that minority and lowincome communities receive equitable benefits without shouldering a disproportionate share of the burdens.
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From page 132... ...
Census, PSRC Household Travel Survey, Washington State Department of Transportation Analysis scale: County, corridor, regional geography, designated centers Background: Vision 2040 was developed to create a shared strategy for moving the central Puget Sound region toward a sustainable future. Central to the document and policies is the concept of "People, Places, Prosperity." Agency: The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse Document/website: Work Zone Safety Performance Measures Guidance Booklet http://www.workzonesafety.org/fhwa_wz_grant/atssa/atssa_wz_performance_measures Agency example measure: Travel time/delay during construction or maintenance Methodology: Relies on good baseline information; data are collected on commute days (Monday through Friday, not including holidays)
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From page 133... ...
The 2010 Congestion Report provides WSDOT with an evaluation of the success of their congestion relief projects and strategies. Goal 3: Provide Options That Allow Affordable and Equitable Transportation Options for All Sections of Society Agency: Metropolitan Transportation Commission, California Document/website: Transportation 2030 Equity Analysis Report http://www.mtc.ca.gov/planning/2030_plan/downloads/EJ/T2030EquityAnalysisReport.pdf Focus Area: System operations Objective: Improve travel time reliability to jobs and other essential destinations through operational improvements Measure: Change in the reliability of travel time per mode per destination type Focus area: Planning Objective: Ensure accessibility to jobs and essential destinations for all communities Measure: Relative change in the level of access for disadvantaged populations to jobs, schools, health services, grocery stores, civic and public spaces, and recreation Agency example measure: Access and travel time to essential destinations by auto and transit
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From page 134... ...
Data source: Metropolitan Transportation Commission Analysis scale: Regional Background: This measure is included in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's 2030 Equity Analysis Report. The report measures the benefits and burdens associated with the proposed transportation projects in the Transportation 2030 plan to ensure that minority and lowincome communities receive equitable benefits without shouldering a disproportionate share of the burdens.
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From page 135... ...
The purpos e o f t he analysis is to ensu re that th e i m portant principles of enviro nm enta l j ustic e a re considered an d i ntegrate d i nt o t he tr anspor tatio n p la nning process. Agency: The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse Document/website: Work Zone Safety Performance Measures Guidance Booklet http://www.workzonesafety.org/fhwa_wz_grant/atssa/atssa_wz_performance_measures Agency example measure: Travel time/delay during construction or maintenance Methodology: Relies on good baseline information; data are collected on commute days (Monday through Friday, not including holidays)
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From page 136... ...
Goal 4: Ensure That the Transportation System's Functionality and Efficiency Are Maintained and Enhanced Agency: Texas Transportation Institute Document/website: Annual Urban Mobility Report http://mobility.tamu.edu/ Agency example measure: Travel time index calculated as the ratio of travel time in the peak period to travel time in free flow Focus area: System operations Objective: Ensure that transportation costs do not disproportionately affect low-income users Measure: Change in incidence of travel costs by income group due to operational improvements Focus area: Planning Objective: Ensure that transportation options are efficient for all users Measure: Change in travel time index by mode
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From page 137... ...
The measures included in the report are linked to the four goal areas of the Michigan Transportation Plan: stewardship, safety and security, system improvement, and efficient and effective operation. Focus area: Programming Objective: Program projects designed to maintain or achieve a state of good repair for the existing transportation system Measure: Change in existing lane/track/sidewalk miles in a state of good repair due to program
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From page 138... ...
Based on the testing, the report makes recommendations for further improvements to data gathering, geographic precision, and sensitivity to operations programs. Agency: The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse Document/website: Work Zone Safety Performance Measures Guidance Booklet Agency example measure: Travel time/delay during construction or maintenance.
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From page 139... ...
Department of Homeland Security Document/website: Annual Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2010–2012 http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/cfo_apr_fy2010_appendix.pdf Agency example measure: Percent of mass transit and passenger rail agencies that have effectively implemented industry agreed-upon security and emergency management actions to improve security. Fo cu s a rea : Sy st em operatio ns Objective: Impl ement ope ra tional imp rovement s t ha t e nhanc e o r m aintai n t he re liabil ity of trans portation options Measure: Change in person hour s o f nonrecurr in g d elay due to operationa l i mprovement s Focus area: Planning Objective: Protect transportation users, agency personnel, and critical infrastructure Measure: Change in share of agency staff that have received appropriate emergency training Methodology: Transportation security inspectors conduct the baseline assessment for security enhancement jointly with transit agencies using a standardized checklist of 235 equally weighted questions.
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From page 140... ...
Department of Transportation – Research and Innovative Technology Administration Document/website: Ensure Redundancy of Critical Components in Transportation Support Systems to Be Used in Case of an Emergency: Experience Nationwide with Responding to Catastrophic Events http://www.benefitcost.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/SummID/LL201000520? OpenDocument&%5ELOTM Agency example measure: Prioritize system redundancy plans according to the agency's strategic functions Methodology: Possible strategies include having a source of backup power and having redundant supplies of equipment on call.
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From page 141... ...
Data source: FDOT Analysis scale: Statewide Background: This measure is included in a performance brief reporting on one of the five goals of the 2025 Florida Transportation Plan. Focus area: System operations Objective: Implement operational improvements that enhance the security of freight transportation assets Measure: Relative change in operational funding allocated to disaster/incident response and management
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From page 142... ...
It provides important background analysis for FHWA when working with regional, state, and local transportation agencies. Agency: WSDOT Document/website: The Gray Notebook http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/86DF8F42-BD2A-438A-A2166AA2C1A42133/0/GrayNotebookDec10.pdf Focus area: Planning Objective: Support growth in jobs and income by improving travel efficiency/reducing congestion Measure: Change in travel delay (e.g., travel time index)
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From page 143... ...
Focus area: Project development Objective: Develop projects that support growth in jobs and income by improving access to markets and factors of production (labor and raw materials) Measure: Change in population within user-defined proximity to access controlled four-lane highway facilities, air cargo service, scheduled air service, intercity bus service, intercity rail service, and so forth Focus area: System operations Objective: Support growth in jobs and income by improving travel efficiency/reducing congestion Measure: Change in corridor/city/commuter-shed-specific travel delay or other congestion related measure Agency: FDOT Document/website: 2025 Florida Transportation Plan Performance Report economy.
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From page 144... ...
Goal 7: Ensure the Economic Feasibility of Transportation Investments over Time Agency: SCAG Document/website: 2008 Regional Transportation Plan – Environmental Justice Report http://www.scag.ca.gov/rtp2008/pdfs/finalrtp/reports/fEnvironmentalJustice.pdf Agency example measure: Taxes paid Methodology: SCAG reports the amount of taxes (sales, gasoline, and income) to determine whether the lower income groups are paying an amount proportional to the transportation services they are using.
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From page 145... ...
Agency: Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Document/website: Transportation System Dashboard http://itd.idaho.gov/dashboard/budget.htm Agency example measure: Construction costs at award as a percent of construction budget Methodology: The construction costs of projects obligated in the fiscal year are totaled and compared to the total construction budget programmed at the beginning of the year for the same projects.
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From page 146... ...
These included a reduction in the amount of grit, oil, and other materials entering the storm water system; environmental awareness training for employees; reduction in the amount of salt applied to city streets; and an assessment of soil conditions and the fertilizer needs of city property. The fundamental component of Gaithersburg's EMS is continued pollution prevention and responsible compliance with all environmental statutes and regulations.
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From page 147... ...
This measure computes the flow rates and runoff volumes from postconstruction compared to computed predevelopment values. Data source: City of Bellingham storm water runoff calculations Analysis scale: Roadway, local Focus area: Project development Objective: Develop projects that maintain and improve quantity and quality of water and aquatic ecosystems Measure: Change in number (percentage)
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From page 148... ...
Data sources: Washington State Department of Transportation and the City of Renton Analysis scale: Roadway, local Background: The Springbrook Creek Wetland & Habitat Mitigation Bank project enhances 110 acres of wetlands and buffers, restores, and creates another connected 20 acres of wetland, totaling approximately 130 acres of wetlands. Thousands of native plants were planted over the entire project site, including black cottonwood, Pacific willow, Sitka spruce, western red cedar, snowberry, Douglas-fir, and big-leaf maple.
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From page 149... ...
Data source: Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works Analysis scale: Roadway, local Background: The Bonny Doon Road Herbicide Reduction Project was a pilot project as part of the Santa Cruz County Integrated Vegetation Management Program. Boony Doon Road is approximately 1.1 miles of a winding two-lane road that follows the contours of a canyon and nearby creek.
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From page 150... ...
It measures the pavement condition, includes decision criteria for rehabilitation actions, and records when the pavement rehabilitation occurs. Data sources: Washington State Department of Transportation Materials lab in conjunction with the WSDOT Pavement Management System (WSPMS)
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from transportation projects Measure: Change in the percentage of projects with a recycling plan or waste diversion goal Document/website: British Columbia Recycling Initiative
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Agency: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Document/website: TxDOT Waste Tracking System http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/00julaug/recyctx.cfm Agency example measure: Utilize an accounting and management plan for road construction waste materials, and minimize the amount of construction-related waste destined for landfill Methodology: Establish, implement, and maintain a formal construction and demolition waste management plan (CWMP)
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From page 153... ...
In the previous two years the program saved over 1.8 million tons of virgin aggregate by incorporating a variety of pavement recycling options into the general agency practice. Agency: NYSDOT Document/website: GreenLITES https://www.nysdot.gov/programs/greenlites/operations-cert Agency example measure: Change the amount of waste that is created during operations of roadway facilities Methodology: Increase sustainability measures in transportation maintenance statewide in all aspects of their work.
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From page 154... ...
This measure tracks the amount of goods and services purchased that are environmentally preferable. Focus area: Planning Objective: Purchase sustainable materials as a priority Measure: Existence of a purchasing plan that establishes priority for sustainable materials
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for Oregon http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/RPS_home.shtml Agency example measure: Reduce the consumption of fossil fuels during operation and maintenance of facilities Methodology: Have a documented plan that outlines how renewable energy will be procured for operations and maintenance of roadway facilities. This includes maintaining an electricity monitoring system for operations and maintenance that tracks electricity usage for highway facilities.
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Methodology: Reduce the fossil fuel requirements of non-road construction equipment by using biofuel or biofuel blends as a replacement for fossil fuel. Focus area: Project development Objective: Use renewable energy to provide project power Measure: Change in percentage of renewable energy, in kWh, created in relation to project energy requirements in a project Focus area: Construction Objective: Use biofuel for non-road maintenance equipment Measure: Percentage of machine hours or gallons of biofuel used during construction
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From page 157... ...
Document/website: www.tennessee.gov/tdot Agency example measure: Reduce the overall consumption of fossil fuels by maintenance vehicles Methodology: Reduce the fossil fuel requirements of fleet and maintenance vehicles by using biofuel or biofuel blends as a replacement for fossil fuel. Biodiesel is made from renewable sources such as soybean oil, burns cleaner than traditional diesel, and requires little or no engine modifications.
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The goal of this measure is to reduce the amount of fossil fuels that would alternatively be imported. Data source(s)
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Agency: Washington State Department of Ecology Focus area: Project development Objective: Develop projects that reduce pollutant emissions (travel, trip length, mode split, emissions) Measure: Change in percentage of commercial vehicles by EPA tier compliance due to project Focus area: Programming Objective: Program projects that reduce pollutant emissions (travel, trip length, mode split, emissions)
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Agency: Cook County Department of Environmental Control, Illinois Document/website: Cook County Green Construction Ordinance http://www.cookcountyclerk.com/countyboard/DocumentLibrary/2009ordinances.pdf Agency example measure: Reduce air emissions from non-road construction equipment by achievement of the EPA tier emission standards Methodology: Diesel engines release pollutants that include over 40 cancer-causing substances. The goal is to reduce the amount of diesel exhaust that produces air pollution, which will in turn reduce the negative health effects of diesel pollution for the public.
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This reduced the amount of traffic delay hours and roadway emissions. Agency: New York State Thruway Authority Document/website: E-ZPass New York http://www.thruway.ny.gov/about/performance-quarterly.html Focus area: Maintenance Objective: Reduce adverse impact on traffic operations (lane reductions, traffic interruptions, detours, night operations)
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From page 162... ...
: New York State Thruway Authority Analysis scale: Roadway, statewide Background: The New York State Thruway Authority has a goal to increase efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Quarterly, the authority assesses this goal based on performance measures.
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