Development of the SUNRA Tool to Improve Regional and Local Sustainability of the Transportation Sector

Yvonne Anderson-Sköld, Muhammad Amjad Afridi (), Lina Nordin, João Patricio, Åsa Lindgren, Carl-Martin Johansson, Alexandra Olofsson, Angelica Andersson and Sigurdur Erlingsson
Additional contact information
Yvonne Anderson-Sköld: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, 58195 Linköping, Sweden
Muhammad Amjad Afridi: Skellefteå Municipality, Strömsörgatan 15, 93134 Skellefteå, Sweden
Lina Nordin: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, 58195 Linköping, Sweden
João Patricio: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, 58195 Linköping, Sweden
Åsa Lindgren: Swedish Transport Administration, P.O. Box 3057, 90302 Umeå, Sweden
Carl-Martin Johansson: Swedish Transport Administration, P.O. Box 3057, 90302 Umeå, Sweden
Alexandra Olofsson: Swedish Transport Administration, P.O. Box 3057, 90302 Umeå, Sweden
Angelica Andersson: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, 58195 Linköping, Sweden
Sigurdur Erlingsson: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, 58195 Linköping, Sweden

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 18, 1-21

Abstract: To fulfil the global sustainable development goals (SDGs), achieving sustainable development is becoming urgent, not least in the transportation sector. In response to this, the sustainability framework Sustainability National Road Administrations (SUNRA) was developed to contribute to improving the sustainability performance of national road administrations across Europe. In the present study, the framework has been tested, applied and further developed to be applicable for target setting and follow-up at the project level at both the Swedish Transport Administration (STA) and at municipal levels. The aim was a framework relevant for investment, re-investments, maintenance and operation projects and also to make it more user applicable. The study also investigated how the framework can contribute to sustainability, identified drivers and barriers for applying the framework and examined whether the framework can be applied and adapted to projects of different complexities. The adaptations and developments were done in collaboration between researchers and practitioners. The results show that the framework could easily be used and adapted for investment, re-investment, maintenance and operation projects in the planning stage, as well as for small municipal establishments, construction or reconstruction of residential areas and frequent maintenance. The framework contributes to increased awareness on sustainability, and it provides a common structure and transparency on how infrastructure project goals/targets are set and fulfilled. The framework can also be applied to follow the fulfilment of the goals/targets and thereby adapt the project to better fulfil the goals. Identified barriers include the lack of obligations and lack of experience in using sustainability frameworks.

Keywords: sustainability framework; setting targets; project level; sustainable transport infrastructure management; user adaptation; sustainability follow-up tool (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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