Putting the Pieces Together to Achieve Sustainability Cindy Carlsson Minnesota Department of Transportation March 1, 2011

Where We Are Today?

Recent economic events and demographic shifts have changed the outlook for as far as we can see

The New Normal

Pre-Recession Post Recession CONSUMERS Consumers have entered an era of personal responsibility & financial sobriety They expect government to do the same!

Future economic growth depends on increased productivity (more than labor force size) Future productivity depends on decisions and investments made today The largest gains in productivity will likely come from investments that lead to better outcomes Sustainability moves us in this direction! Making Things Better May Offer the Greatest Potential

Sustainable transportation practices respect, support and regenerate environmental systems, the economy and society over many generations Responding to the New Normal The Role of Sustainability

How Do We Achieve This? Use all resources wisely Consider the needs of future generations Evaluate a wide range of risks Protect and enhance the environment Conserve energy and natural resources Involve the public in transportation planning processes Improve quality of life (now and for future generations) Encourage innovative approaches to the design, operation and maintenance of our facilities

Transportation investments should contribute to quality of life now and into the future

What Does Quality of Life Mean? Local amenities Employment/finances Recreation Environment Safety Family Spirituality Friends/ neighbors » Lack of stress Health Entertainment Arts Sports Transportation Connections

How Does Transportation Impact It?

Quality of Life is a Key Component of Sustainability Transportation matters because it impacts quality of life Transportation investments must contribute to quality of life now and in the future There are many pieces to the puzzle...

Performance Based Design CSS Complete Streets Asset Management Modal Planning Research Innovative Finance Scoping Environmental Review Risk Assessment Livable Communities Quality of Life Hear Every Voice Sustainability Has Many Pieces

A Few Examples Grand Rapids complete streets project TIGER 2 application Flood mitigation program State Smart Transportation Initiative Quality of Life research HUD livable communities More...

Whats Next?

Putting More Pieces Together Build on what Mn/DOT already does in order to increase sustainability –Incorporate sustainability into the vision and plans –Evaluate where and how to increase sustainability in planning, maintenance, operations and project delivery –FHWA has a tool that we can use –Continue improvements in internal business practices –Continue research –Increase collaboration

Vision – Balancing Our Priorities TraditionalEmerging Economic Competitiveness Environmental Health Quality of LifePreservationMobilitySafety Vision State of Good Repair Safety Environ- mental Health Economic Competiti- veness Quality of Life 17

Evaluating and Increasing Sustainability in the Program FHWA released the beta version of a Sustainable Highway Self-Evaluation Tool FHWA released the beta version of a Sustainable Highway Self-Evaluation Tool A collection of best practices (credits) and scoring system to measures sustainability A collection of best practices (credits) and scoring system to measures sustainability Using it to evaluate where Mn/DOT is today and how to most effectively increase sustainability Using it to evaluate where Mn/DOT is today and how to most effectively increase sustainability

System Planning (SP) –Agency-wide network management and planning. Involves having appropriate policies, procedures and systems in place. Not specific to any one project. Project Development (PD) –Development of a project once the general need and proposed solution are programmed. Includes environmental review, project planning, design, and construction decisions specific to the project. Operations & Maintenance (OM): –Agency-wide practices, policies and procedures for overall functionality and efficiency of a highway network. Not specific to any one project. Components

The Goal

More Projects Like St. Peter Reconstruction of 14 blocks of a 4-lane High Priority Interregional CorridorReconstruction of 14 blocks of a 4-lane High Priority Interregional Corridor Main Street through historic downtown business district near the Minnesota RiverMain Street through historic downtown business district near the Minnesota River AADT of 22,000, with HCADT up to 2600AADT of 22,000, with HCADT up to 2600 Designated historic area and streetDesignated historic area and street Storm sewer, sanitary sewer, watermain, signals, signs, lighting, medians, sidewalksStorm sewer, sanitary sewer, watermain, signals, signs, lighting, medians, sidewalks Streetscaping and landscapingStreetscaping and landscaping

Business Impact Mitigation

Utility Reconstruction

Pedestrian Improvements

Mobility Improvements

Historic Character Preserved

Collaboration Mn/DOT City of Saint Peter Nicollet County Businesses SHPO Contractor It s not Mn/DOTs problem or the citys or the contractors – its OUR problem.

Sustainability Brings the Pieces Together

Mn/DOTs Approach to Sustainability Acknowledges a new normal Uses quality of life to determine the best practices and the right investments –Transportation impacts quality of life –Investments should contribute to quality of life now and into the future Prompts innovation and creative thinking Supports collaboration –Mn/DOT controls only a few of the things that contribute to quality of life

Thank you! Cindy Carlsson, Sustainability Manager Minnesota Department of Transportation