Abstract

Emphasis on sustainable transportation practices throughout the United States is rising. The term “green design” has become well-known throughout the private and public sector with regards to integrating environmentally friendly techniques into the transportation planning process. In response, programs such as Greenroads, STARS (Sustainable Transportation Access Rating System), and GreenLITES (Green Leadership in Transportation Environmental Sustainability) have been developed in order to promote and measure sustainability throughout the transportation sector. The focus of these programs is predominantly on the environmental benefits of sustainable development; however, the social sustainability dimensions related to transportation planning such as safety, equity, and public health are limited. This paper examines existing sustainable transportation rating systems in terms of their incorporation and measurement of social sustainability. Based on a review of existing rating systems, social sustainability indicators for transportation are developed and synthesized in order to be integrated into sustainable transportation rating systems. Recommendations for integration, including the use of a decision analysis tool for prioritizing the indicators and implementation of a pilot phase, are provided. Through identifying social sustainability indicators, planners can integrate social dimensions such as equity, social cohesion, safety, accessibility, public health and prosperity into transportation planning projects.