An Integrated DPSIR-SD Framework for Sustainability Assessment of Roads in Australia

Sneha Kaira, Oz Sahin, Anisur Rahman and Sherif Mohamed
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Sneha Kaira: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4215, Australia
Oz Sahin: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4215, Australia
Anisur Rahman: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4215, Australia
Sherif Mohamed: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4215, Australia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-31

Abstract: The Australian Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) Summit in 2018 attracted much-needed national attention towards environmental goals and targets compared with other aspects of sustainability. Road infrastructure is the backbone of modern society and plays a crucial role in accomplishing a targeted balance between these aspects of sustainability and achieving the SDGs. This article presents an integrated sustainability performance assessment methodology that acts as a decision support tool. A series of two conceptual modelling techniques—drivers—pressure—state—impact—response (DPSIR) and system dynamics (SD)—is employed, with the cause-and-effect relationships of the sustainability indicators developed utilising the DPSIR framework, and a quantitative analysis carried out through a subsequent SD model. The end result is the generation of a Sustainability Performance Index (SPI) for road infrastructure created by analysing the SD model and DPSIR index layer relationship. The benefits and applicability of the proposed methodology are validated through case study analysis. The overall aim is to determine restricting factors and response strategies influencing road infrastructure and transport sustainability performance during the operation and maintenance phase. Thus, a significant contribution is made through the proposed methodology for assessing factors influencing the long-term achievement of the SDGs.

Keywords: driver-pressure-state-impact-response; system dynamics; road sustainability; sustainability performance index; sustainability development goals; sustainable transport (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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