Evaluating Sustainable Development: A Quality-of-Life Focus for Transportation Decision Making

In October 2012, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) launched a voluntary online tool to help agencies identify opportunities for incorporating sustainability into transportation projects and programs. INVEST 1.0 consists of a collection of sustainability best practices, called criteria, in three modules—system planning, project development, and operations and maintenance—that address the full life cycle of a highway. With the web-based tool, an agency can evaluate each module independently and receive a score based on the points achieved for each criterion. Beyond the score, however, INVEST 1.0 meets an identified need for a collaborative virtual workspace that promotes communications and encourages participation by a range of sustainability-minded practitioners. This article explains the development of INVEST 1.0 and highlights the tool’s flexibility and functionality.