Verifying the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure: Sydney Metro’s commissioning through the “significance matrix” methodology
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
ISSN: 1726-0531
Article publication date: 17 December 2021
Issue publication date: 9 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Through the significance matrix, this paper aims to investigate and explore the main sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure projects. Sydney’s Metro mega transportation infrastructure is used as a case study. Sydney’s Metro was selected because of its sustainability challenges faced because of the areas’ diverse ecological zones. Sydney’s Metro is thus examined as the basis of best practice for the determination of the sustainability factors of transportation infrastructures.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research evaluates the environmental impact assessment and environmental assessment processes, to alleviate the problems of the mega transportation infrastructure.
Findings
This research found that a more comprehensive determination is needed to further analyse the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures, use of a significance matrix would further assess the environmental complexities of mega transportation infrastructures and the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures should include a nonlinear and asymmetrical scheme highlighting its components and carefully outlining its integration and consolidation.
Originality/value
Although there is concurrent research into sustainability factors of mega transportation, this paper undertakes a new methodology for such infrastructure. While the significance matrix is not a new concept, it has never been used specifically for mega transportation infrastructure. Subsequently, using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research undertakes such environmental analysis and assessment and thus produces a qualitative risk analysis matrix. The findings from this research will ultimately assist the key stakeholders of mega transportation infrastructures to better plan, monitor and support similar projects.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Transport for NSW, Australia for their collaboration during this research.
Citation
Gharehbaghi, K., McManus, K., Georgy, M., Farnes, K., Pagliara, F. and Myers, M. (2024), "Verifying the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure: Sydney Metro’s commissioning through the “significance matrix” methodology", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 22-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-03-2021-0169
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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