Transportation and Sustainability Best Practices （运输和可持续性的最佳实践）.pdf

Sustainability Peer Exchange – Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO May 27-29, 2009 Transportation and Sustainability Best Practices Background Prepared by CH2M HILL and Good Company for the Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO Transportation and Sustainability Peer Exchange May 27-29, 2009, Gallaudet University Kellogg Center 1.0 Introduction Global concerns about climate change, energy use, environmental impacts, and limits to financial resources for transportation infrastructure require new and different approaches to planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining transportation solutions and systems. This memorandum provides background about key leading practices and methods that transportation professionals are using to address sustainability issues relating to transportation. 1.1 Defining Sustainability What is sustainability? Sustainability is a big concept – like “justice” or “freedom” – and like these concepts, it can be easier to understand than to succinctly define. However hundreds of definitions do exist and most share similar tenets. One oft-quoted definition states that sustainable development “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) Report – Our Common Future, 1987). Sustainability can also be defined as: • An overarching conceptual framework that Figure 1 describes a desirable, healthy, and dynamic Triple Bottom Line of Sustainability balance between human and natural systems. • A system of policies, beliefs, and best practices that will protect the diversity and richness of the planet’s ecosystems, foster economic vitality and opportunity, and create a high quality of life for people. • A vision describing a future that anyone would want to inhabit.