Illinois Livable and Sustainable Transportation (I-LAST) Rating System and Guide

Chicago
Source: Google Search

The I-LAST rating system and guide is a sustainability performance metric system developed by the Joint Sustainability Group of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the American Council of Engineering Companies–Illinois (ACEC-Illinois) and the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association (IRTBA).

I-LAST serves as:

• Resource Guide
• Checklist
• Rating System

It is completely voluntary to utilize the rating system and guide. However, the I-LAST system was created because:

• There was no organized approach to sustainable design in transportation
• The current market is too reactive to public demands, as opposed to being proactive
• Existing sustainable practices often go unrecognized
• Future sustainability requirements are likely

The purpose of the guide is to:

• Provide a comprehensive list of practices that have the potential to bring sustainable results to highway projects.
• Establish a simple and efficient method of evaluating transportation projects with respect to livability, sustainability, and effect on the natural environment.
• Record and recognize the use of sustainable practices in the transportation industry.

Audiences of the I-LAST System:

• Engineers
• Project Managers

Applications of the I-LAST System:

• Guide to existing practices
• Source for information
• Comprehensive approach

Cost implications of using the system:

• Can be used if finances are very limited
• There are no extra administrative costs
• The cost is for results, not documents

Over 150 sustainable items that can be considered in the design of highway projects. The items fall under one of these 8 categories:

1. Planning
2. Design
3. Environmental
4. Water Quality
5. Transportation
6. Lighting
7. Materials
8. Innovation

For more information visit:
www.irtba.org/greencouncil

Source: APA National Conference Session