Integrating Sustainability into the Transportation Planning Process summarizes a July 11-13, 2004, conference in Baltimore, Maryland, that examined whether and how sustainability objectives can be introduced into the planning process for surface transportation facilities and operations. The report explores issues associated with sustainability, the vision of a sustainable transportation system, the state of the practice, and strategies for integrating sustainability concepts into transportation planning.

The idea of a sustainable society in which the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is compelling. Despite its many dimensions and uncertainties, sustainability is generally agreed to be important and worth pursuing. At the same time, current trends in transportation contribute to unsustainable conditions, including climate change, energy insecurity, congestion, noise pollution, and ecological impacts. Widespread uncertainty exists about how to address the goal of a sustainable transportation system. What is clear is that attaining a sustainable transportation system will require action by the public sector, private companies, and individual citizens. Given the complexity of the issue and the variety of players, it also will require a major cultural change to raise and organize societal awareness...

External Links:

More Information: www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5790

Further Reading:

TRB Conference Proceedings 37: Integrating Sustainability into the Transportation Planning Process