Introduction
Information on sustainability has largely been focussed on environmental issues and reduction in carbon which has rightly targeted transport and building operation. Currently sustainability does not appear to form a major part of the day to day work of a bridge engineer in the UK. This briefing note aims to illustrate what engineers are already doing and how they might improve. Knowledge of the subject is essential in order to provide good advice to clients and provide a full professional service.
Bridge engineers are currently applying sustainability principles within efforts to comply with CDM, design efficient structures and minimise costs and disruption. They may not recognise all the sustainable impacts or benefits of various options or understand the issues that are particularly important and relevant to bridge schemes. Applying sustainability principles will not change the way work is carried out but will better inform decision making. For bridge engineers the challenge is to learn a new language and principles and to modify current practice rather than significantly change it.
This briefing note is split into two parts. Part 1 gives a general discussion and includes a list of issues to consider at project inception. Part 2 gives lists of issues to consider at all other stages of a project lifecycle. Reference to other briefing notes in this series is recommended to understand the general principles.