Use if BEST In-Highways for Green Highway Construction Rating in Wisconsin

Abstract

Environmentally and Economically Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure- Highways (BE2ST in-Highways). BE2ST in-Highways employs life cycle analysis techniques to provide a quantitative assessment of the impacts associated with a highway construction project. Energy and water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, service life, and life cycle cost are evaluated in a quantitative framework that can be used to compare alternative construction strategies from a holistic perspective. The methodology is grounded in quantitative metrics rather than an arbitrary point system so that a transparent linkage exists between the project rating and the sustainable practices employed in design and construction. This transparency reduces the potential for ‘gaming’ of the rating system. Application of the BE2ST in-Highways system to a project in Wisconsin is described. Results of the application indicate that using recycled materials in a pavement can result in reductions in global warming potential (32%), energy consumption (28%), water consumption (29%), and hazardous waste generation (25%) as compared to the reference design using conventional materials, while also extending the service life of the pavement. In addition, using recycled materials in a pavement can result in a life cycle cost savings of 23%. Because of this environmental and economical out-performance of the alternative design using recycled materials compared to the reference design using conventional materials, the maximum total credit (i.e., 12 points) is granted to the project.