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

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. CONSUMERS. Pre-Recession.

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

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  1. Putting the Pieces Together to Achieve Sustainability Cindy CarlssonMinnesota Department of TransportationMarch 1, 2011

  2. Where We Are Today?

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

  4. The New Normal

  5. CONSUMERS Pre-Recession Living Practically Post Recession Living Large Spending Increased Savings Reduced Spending Limited Savings Consumers have entered an era of personal responsibility & financial sobriety They expect government to do the same!

  6. “Making Things Better” May Offer the Greatest Potential • 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!

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

  8. How Do We Achieve This? • Use allresources wisely • Consider the needs of futuregenerations • 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

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

  10. 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

  11. How Does Transportation Impact It?

  12. 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. . .

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

  14. 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. . .

  15. What’s Next?

  16. 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

  17. Vision – Balancing Our Priorities 17

  18. Evaluating and Increasing Sustainability in the Program • FHWA released the beta version of a Sustainable Highway Self-Evaluation Tool • 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

  19. Components 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.

  20. The Goal

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

  22. Business Impact Mitigation

  23. Utility Reconstruction

  24. Pedestrian Improvements

  25. Mobility Improvements

  26. Historic Character Preserved

  27. Collaboration • Mn/DOT • City of Saint Peter • Nicollet County • Businesses • SHPO • Contractor “It s not Mn/DOT’s problem or the city’s or the contractor’s – it’s OUR problem.”

  28. SustainabilityBrings the Pieces Together

  29. Mn/DOT’s 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

  30. Thank you! Cindy Carlsson, Sustainability Manager Minnesota Department of Transportation cindy.carlsson@state.mn.us 651-366-3313

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