Sustainability rating tools for highway projects: the nature and outcomes of use

Abstract

Sustainability rating tools for civil infrastructure including highways are increasing in use. The Ceequal scheme has been operating in the UK for around 14 years with over 360 project ratings awarded. The Greenroads, Envision and Infrastructure Sustainability schemes are growing in use in the USA and Australasia – collectively awarding close to 90 projects since 2012. What opportunities do these rating tools present for asset managers to better drive performance in terms of the social, environmental and economic impacts of infrastructure development? What progress have they made so far? This study draws on the analysis of the rating schemes used by industry today and, in particular, examines the realities of tool use by way of published case studies and interviews with rating tool users and asset owners in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and North America. Project data and user perspectives reveal details on the international use of rating tools and highlight aspects of tool bias and associated challenges in tool selection and comparison, access to performance benchmarking and the reporting of sustainability outcomes particularly for public infrastructure assets.