Energy efficiency criteria for green highways in Malaysia

Abstract

Green highway is a roadway planned and designed with desires to integrate transportation functionality and ecological. A green highway takes high consideration on the approach of environment to the transportation system development, the ecosystem, urban growth, public health and also to surrounding communities. Reference to standard system such Green Roads Rating System becomes more popular being used to measure the classification of a green highway. This journal paper aimed to discuss on how important is the energy efficiency criteria to be measured in the green highway development. Energy is considered highly related to highway development due to it is the most infrastructures involves in massive construction activities from its construction up to the operation and maintenance process. Relevant energy criteria in green highway development had been figured out and a checklist of the comparison among the current relevant reference in the green highway is highlighted in this paper. These identified criteria for energy efficiency are importance to be considered in Malaysian Highway Index. The criteria include the consideration on Energy Plan for Green performance strategies, energy plan for maintenance, grey and green compound and car park, rest and service area (RSA), toll plaza and interchange. © 2013 Penerbit UTM Press. All rights reserved.