New FHWA Sustainability Program Points to NRMCA Sustainable Plant Certification

The Infrastructure Voluntary Evaluation Sustainability Tool (INVEST) was developed by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as a practical, Web-based collection of voluntary best practices designed to help transportation agencies integrate sustainability into their roadway projects. INVEST considers the full life cycle of projects. One of the key practices for reduced energy and emissions in pavement materials is to use concrete supplied from an NRMCA Certified Sustainable Concrete Plant. Concrete’s contribution to a sustainable roadway project is extensive within the INVEST framework. The following are some examples of how concrete contributes to sustainability criteria:

• Life Cycle Cost Analyses – Concrete has low life cycle cost

• Highway and Traffic Safety – Concrete surfaces are skid resistant

• Stormwater Management – Pervious concrete controls and treats stormwater

• Pedestrian Access – Most pedestrian walkways are concrete

• Energy Efficiency – Light colored pavement means less lighting

• Recycle Materials – Concrete uses supplementary cementitious materials

• Long‐Life Pavement Design – Concrete pavement has long service lives

• Reduced Energy and Emissions in Pavement Materials – Sustainable concrete production 

INVEST was developed with input from state and local transportation agency officials and staff and trade organizations such as NRMCA. FHWA incorporated the NRMCA Sustainable Concrete Plant Certification program and other modifications of the tool based on comments submitted in May 2011.