Short answer

Adopt a systematic approach using defined criteria to select or develop environmental indicators for assessing the ecological impact of transport-related designs.

Field
Resource Management
Source
DORA Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)) (2010)
Method
Procedure Application and Indicator Development
Evidence
Moderate effect

A structured procedure, guided by ten criteria, can be applied to develop and select environmental indicators for assessing the impact of transport systems. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in DORA Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)). Using Procedure application and indicator development, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Adopt a systematic approach using defined criteria to select or develop environmental indicators for assessing the ecological impact of transport-related designs.

Study
Resource ManagementHigh ImpactModerate effect

Environmental Impact Indicators: A Framework for Assessing Transport's Ecological Footprint

A structured procedure, guided by ten criteria, can be applied to develop and select environmental indicators for assessing the impact of transport systems.

DORA Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)) · 2010

01

Key Findings

  • 01A systematic procedure with ten criteria exists for selecting and building environmental indicators.
  • 02This procedure can be applied to diverse environmental impact chains related to transport.
  • 03The process facilitates the development of new indicators when existing ones are insufficient.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Adopt a systematic approach using defined criteria to select or develop environmental indicators for assessing the ecological impact of transport-related designs.

How to apply

When designing a new transport system or product, use the ten criteria outlined in the study to identify key environmental impact areas and select or develop specific indicators to monitor these impacts throughout the product lifecycle.

Project actions

  • 01When choosing environmental indicators for your design project, think about the whole lifecycle of your product.
  • 02Consider using a checklist or a set of criteria, like the ten used in this study, to ensure you cover all important environmental aspects.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo outline and demonstrate a procedure for selecting and building environmental indicators relevant to transport, covering a range of causal chains.
MethodProcedure Application and Indicator Development
ProcedureThe study outlines a procedure for selecting and building environmental indicators for transport, applying it to seven specific causal chains (direct toxicity of air pollutants, habitat fragmentation, non-renewable resource use, loss of cultural heritage, noise annoyance, greenhouse effect, and waste). For some chains, the application of the procedure's steps is detailed, and examples of existing indicators are discussed. The process also illustrates how to develop indicators where none currently exist.
ContextEnvironmental impact assessment within the transport sector, with implications for policy-making and research.

Variables

IV["Transport-related causal chains","Ten selection criteria"]
DV["Selection and building of environmental indicators"]
CV["Specific steps of the procedure","Examples of existing indicators"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides a structured and criterion-based approach to indicator development.
  • +Covers a range of relevant environmental impact chains within the transport sector.

Limitations

The specific criteria and causal chains might not be directly applicable to all design contexts, requiring adaptation.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the procedure depends on consistent application of the criteria. Validity is addressed by selecting chains of policy relevance and pedagogical value, aiming for indicators that accurately reflect the intended environmental impact.

Think critically

How might the selection of indicators be influenced by the intended audience (e.g., policymakers vs. the public)?

05

Design Principles

"Environmental impact assessment should be guided by a structured, criterion-based procedure to ensure comprehensive and relevant indicator selection."

Developing robust environmental indicators is crucial for designers and engineers to quantify and manage the ecological consequences of their designs. This framework provides a systematic approach to identify and measure impacts, enabling more informed decision-making throughout the design and development process.

06

What This Means for Your Design

This research shows a step-by-step method for creating ways to measure the environmental harm caused by things like cars and roads, helping us understand and reduce our impact.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the selection of environmental indicators for your design project, particularly if your project involves transport or environmental assessment.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of effective environmental indicators is crucial for assessing the ecological footprint of design solutions. Folkeson et al. (2010) proposed a structured procedure, guided by ten criteria, for selecting and building environmental indicators specifically for the transport sector. This systematic approach can be adapted to identify and measure key environmental impacts across various design domains, enabling more informed decisions towards sustainability.

09

Source

DORA Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa))

Assessment of some indicators within an impact

journal · 2010

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about environmental impact indicators: a framework for assessing transport's ecological footprint?
Adopt a systematic approach using defined criteria to select or develop environmental indicators for assessing the ecological impact of transport-related designs. Evidence: DORA Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)) (2010).
Why does "Environmental Impact Indicators: A Framework for Assessing Transport's Ecological Footprint" matter for design?
Developing robust environmental indicators is crucial for designers and engineers to quantify and manage the ecological consequences of their designs. This framework provides a systematic approach to identify and measure impacts, enabling more informed decision-making throughout the design and development process.
How can designers apply this research?
Adopt a systematic approach using defined criteria to select or develop environmental indicators for assessing the ecological impact of transport-related designs.
What were the main findings?
A systematic procedure with ten criteria exists for selecting and building environmental indicators.. This procedure can be applied to diverse environmental impact chains related to transport.. The process facilitates the development of new indicators when existing ones are insufficient.
What research method was used?
Procedure Application and Indicator Development.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2010 journal from DORA Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing a new transport system or product, use the ten criteria outlined in the study to identify key environmental impact areas and select or develop specific indicators to monitor these impacts throughout the product lifecycle.
What are the limitations?
The study focuses on specific causal chains within the transport sector and may require adaptation for other domains. The effectiveness of the procedure is demonstrated through examples, but a full validation across all potential applications is not presented.