pooled fund Projects
In PROGRESS
Green Guide for Roads - Updated August 2011
| Research Area | Sustainability |
| Responsible Council / Committee | Urban Transportation Council Green Guide for Roads Task Force |
| Background documents | Green Guide for Roads: Project Goals and Objectives Benefits of Green Roads Green Guide for Roads Roadmap |
| Start Date | May 2010 |
| Expected Completion Date | April 2012 |
| Research Agency | MMM Group |
| Status | Work is in progress. |
| Project Funding Partners | Region of Waterloo; Cement Association of Canada; Ministry of Transportation, Ontario; Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association; Alberta Transportation; British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal; Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure; City of Toronto; Ministère des Transports du Québec; City of Ottawa; City of Calgary; The City of Winnipeg; Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation; City of Edmonton; City of Montréal; Prince Edward Island Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal; Halifax Regional Municipality; City of Hamilton; Transport Canada; ColasCanada; Region of Halton; Region of York; Region of Peel; Canadian Ready Mixed Concrete Association |
| Staff Contact | Katarina Cvetkovic |
Abstract
Transportation agencies throughout Canada that are tasked with delivering essential transportation services are facing declining material resources, challenges with climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and a societal movement supporting sustainable development. Tools are needed by practitioners to support the development and implementation of green practices and “green” roads.
Between 2008 and 2010, a Task Force of the Urban Transportation Council worked on the development of a Green Guide for Roads. The goal was to promote sustainable growth and alternative multi-modal transportation solutions within corridors, along with safe, long lasting roadway infrastructure and green construction principles. As part of its work, the Task Force identified 13 application areas where sustainability principles and environmental stewardship can be applied, and developed working templates for each that describe requirements and highlight associated best practices and strategies.
The Task Force concluded that work on the Green Guide for Roads should be completed via the TAC sponsored project model. In early 2011 the Green Guide for Roads project steering committee hired MMM Group to complete the necessary work.
The Guide will be applicable to all types of roads in urban and rural settings, such as freeways/expressways, arterials, collectors, local roads and laneways/alleys. It will aid decision-makers in how to make a road more sustainable by applying a self-assessment tool to existing roads or planned roadway projects.The Guide will include sustainability considerations such as improved compatibility and livability, universal accessibility, modal equity, conservation of resources, affordability on a full life-cycle basis, and environmental protection, etc.