Bridges

The Standards Management Framework provides a consistent, whole of life cycle approach to the way standards are developed, applied, managed, and governed in Transport for NSW (Transport). This framework aims to deliver the appropriate balance of safety, risk, cost, and performance across the life of the asset. The framework guides the development of standards and technical specifications in Transport and is focussed on sustainability outcomes for transport assets. This is in alignment with Future Transport 2056 and the recently launched Transport Sustainability Plan.

Transport is committed to delivering transport which contributes to economic prosperity and social inclusion in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, and a vision to create a NSW where every journey is people and planet positive. These principles are embedded in the Future Transport Strategy 2056, and in the Transport Sustainability Plan. The Sustainability Plan is designed to make sustainability integral to how Transport operates and empower Transport and our industry partners to continuously find innovative solutions.

The Transport Future Transport Strategy and Sustainability Plan support the NSW Governmentís Circular Economy Policy, the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041, and the goals of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 (compare to 2005 levels).

There is a multidisciplinary approach within Transport to developing and delivering standards and specifications that embed sustainable outcomes across energy and carbon, materials and waste, climate change, pollution control, biodiversity, infrastructure rating, and sustainable governance. There is a need to evolve technical standards and specifications with advances in technology, an example of this is the shift to performance-based standards to provide industry with greater flexibility to be innovative and embed sustainability at the beginning of the supply chain. A key focus is to enhance markets for recycled materials and the associated supply chain, helping to foster and support the circular economy.

Whilst there is still a strong focus on safety, durability, and design life in Transport standards, there is a definite shift to embedding sustainability in technical standards and specifications for bridges and civil engineering infrastructure. For instance, the B80 Concrete Work for Bridges specification has introduced the use of recycled water when suitable in concrete mixes. With more than 24 million cubic metres of concrete produced annually in Australia, initiatives like these are already contributing to greater sustainability outcomes. Transport is collaborating with universities and industry partners to further increase the allowable percentages of recycled materials in concrete mixes for bridges and civil engineering infrastructure whilst maintaining the durability of assets.

This paper will outline the collaborative approach to embedding sustainability in technical standards and specifications for bridges and civil infrastructure to improve sustainability outcomes.