Concrete's Sustainable Attributes Discussed at Public Works Conference

The American Public Works Association (APWA) held its Sustainability in Public Works Conference in San Diego earlier this month. The conference covered a wide range of sustainability topics, including low impact development, solar power, biofuels and green transportation initiatives. Concrete’s versatility as a sustainable material for infrastructure was certainly present at many of the sessions and discussions, reports NRMCA Senior Director of Pavement Structures Brian Killingsworth who attended the conference.

For example, pervious concrete pavement was highlighted as part of the City of Bellingham’s green streets initiatives in the state of Washington. Additionally, the FHWA’s INVEST 1.0 Web-based transportation sustainability self-evaluation tool was presented. This tool allows users to evaluate the cost savings of sustainable design, materials and construction practices in highway applications upon which concrete’s sustainable "value" may be captured. Other transportation related sustainability rating systems were also compared in another session. The INVEST 1.0, EnvisionTM, STARS, Greenlites, PEACH Roads, and the STAR Community Index assessment tools were all compared and contrasted. Each of these tools has the ability to capture concrete’s sustainable attributes and use was encouraged on projects where the value of sustainability is to be assessed.

Killingsworth spoke with many public works officials about the use of concrete in street and road applications; they were informed about NRMCA’s Design Assistance Program. NRMCA will continue to seek these decision makers and educate them about concrete’s value proposition from both an environmental and economic perspective.