Aired April 27, 2011
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Expert Reactions: Matt Metcalfe, Senior Associate
Better integrating environmental considerations into system design represents perhaps the greatest opportunity for transportation which, after all, is really a system of systems. Developing efficient transportation systems that provide effective modal interchange points enables all the modes to operate together as one system enhancing social, environmental, and cost benefits significantly. These transportation systems must take into account the needs of the region and use a lifecycle approach. For example, limiting material use during manufacturing may reduce environmental impacts slightly, but result in heavier aircraft with more significant impacts during the life of their operation.
Senior Associate with extensive sustainability experience with specific expertise at the state and local levels.
Sustainability isn’t what a lot of people think it is. It is as much about changing organizations’ culture and people’s behavior as it is about individual initiatives intended to meet an organization’s greening goals. When organizations start viewing sustainability in terms of how to best accomplish their missions, they can discover opportunities they would otherwise miss.
Many people think sustainable projects will cost much more than traditional ones, which scuttles many such projects before they start Read more
Several years ago, Booz Allen was working with a major urban transportation agency. The agency wanted to buy new subway cars that included hybrid brake technology similar in concept to what many hybrid passenger cars have – the brakes would store energy from braking for future use, saving energy costs.
We evaluated existing technology and found it wouldn’t have been a cost-effective investment. Subway cars have a long lifespan (potentially up to 50 years), though, so we Read more
Sustainability will become only more important over the next two decades as global urban populations continue to grow, especially along coastlines. Managing the shift from rural to urban requires extensive coordination of effort and resources to ensure adequate food, water, housing, transportation, and other essential needs. The situation is even more urgent given predictions that global climate change could lead to rising sea levels, which would affect where the bulk of people will be living.
Governments around the world are moving to Read more
Principal with extensive experience as an environmental scientist, working with environmental, earth science, and health-related programs with the US Government and the US military.
Most of my work is in support of the Defense Department, and from this perspective, sustainability is particularly relevant as a means of improving mission effectiveness while simultaneously achieving outcomes that improve environmental performance. Sustainability provides a framework and set of practices that improve the management of built infrastructure, natural infrastructure, procurement processes, and acquisition processes to name a few and these, in turn, help move the Department beyond compliance with regulations toward improved readiness.
~Will Rowe, Principal
Senior Associate with extensive experience in environmental, health, and safety in the civil sector.
Civilian agencies have continued to evolve their environmental, health, and safety (EHS) program efforts; however, these efforts require continued diligence and discipline to be effective. While most agencies have instituted EHS policies and programs, there remains considerable variability in their implementation and success. This situation has prompted Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiatives, as well as landmark Executive Orders to improve federal agency EHS Read more
Civil agencies are challenged by a number of factors that complicate EHS program execution. Diverse civil missions and operational profiles create significant differences in the placement of the EHS function and its alignment with organizational priorities. Further, EHS programs are sometimes considered peripheral rather than an integral function of the agency mission. This situation results in competition for limited resources and fragmented implementation of EHS program Read more
As the provider of essential services to the public, sustainability will become increasingly important across the federal government in the future. Shifts in population demographics from urbanization coupled with natural and economic resource constraints will challenge civil agencies to provide adequate and responsive services—including the provision of basic needs for society such as housing, transportation, food, and public health. While advancements are being made through internal agency efforts and through legislative and executive Read more
Senior Associate with deep expertise in environmental strategy and management with a specific focus on transportation.
Pressure on the transportation sector to be environmentally sustainable is at an all time high. Transportation demands are expected to increase significantly over the next 15 to 20 years, bringing potential economic and social benefits. However, growth necessary to meet demand is likely to out-strip environmental performance improvements could significantly impact the environment. The convergence of increased demand, urban development, and greater awareness of environmental issues has made effective sustainable transportation approaches the critical issue in enabling growth in this area.
~Matt Metcalfe, Senior Associate
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