Evaluating Sustainability Approaches of Transportation Agencies Through a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Framework

A national survey of state departments of transportation (DOTs) indicated that such agencies were engaged in a variety of activities to address sustainability issues associated with transportation planning, design, and operations. These activities ranged from piecemeal environmental practices such as roadside mowing policies to comprehensive planning frameworks. However, state DOTs in general did not have sufficient policies or practices in place to evaluate and prioritize investment options that would promote environmental sustainability and sustainable development. For this research, a mixed-methods design that used an expert panel and case studies of individual state DOTs was used to develop, test, and evaluate a strategic planning tool that could help DOTs evolve more sustainable practices. The self-assessment tool was designed to guide agencies through the identification of internal strengths and weaknesses in their planning frameworks and organizational structure and culture, characterization of fea...