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Integrating Sustainability Indicators in Conceptual Design of Footbridges: A Decision-Support Framework for Environmental, Economic, and Structural Performance

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  • Valeria Gozzi

    (DACD—Department of Environment Constructions and Design, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), 6850 Mendrisio, Switzerland
    DISEG—Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Leidy Guante Henriquez

    (DACD—Department of Environment Constructions and Design, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), 6850 Mendrisio, Switzerland
    DABC—Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Sustainability is increasingly prioritized in infrastructure design; however, its integration into the conceptual design phase remains limited, particularly for pedestrian bridges, where structural performance plays a critical role. While existing frameworks address environmental and economic impacts in later stages, they typically fail to incorporate structural performance and sustainability holistically at the outset. To address this gap, this study introduces a quantitative decision-support framework tailored for the conceptual design of footbridges. The methodology integrates five key indicators, Global Warming Potential (GI), Total Cost (TC), Robustness (RO), Inspection (IN), and Maintenance (MA), using a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach, specifically the Weighted Sum Model (WSM), supported by Pearson correlation analysis, to identify trade-offs and interdependencies among metrics. The framework is tested on two real-world case studies involving steel pedestrian bridges in different urban contexts. The results reveal a strong correlation between inspection and maintenance, suggesting that designs optimized for inspection accessibility can significantly reduce life cycle maintenance efforts and costs. Robustness appears to be largely independent from environmental impact, indicating the potential to improve structural resilience without compromising sustainability. Furthermore, cost–sustainability relationships are shown to be highly context-dependent. The practical implications of these findings are substantial: by offering a structured, data-driven tool for early-stage evaluation, the framework enables engineers, urban planners, and policymakers to make informed design choices that align with long-term sustainability goals. It offers a methodological basis for comparing design options based on quantifiable sustainability and structural metrics, contributing to evidence-based decision making in line with evolving standards for sustainable infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeria Gozzi & Leidy Guante Henriquez, 2025. "Integrating Sustainability Indicators in Conceptual Design of Footbridges: A Decision-Support Framework for Environmental, Economic, and Structural Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-26, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4562-:d:1657438
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cleovir José Milani & Víctor Yepes & Moacir Kripka, 2020. "Proposal of Sustainability Indicators for the Design of Small-Span Bridges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Timothy Jena & Sakdirat Kaewunruen, 2021. "Life Cycle Sustainability Assessments of an Innovative FRP Composite Footbridge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Husnain Arshad & Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem & Beenish Bakhtawar & Asheem Shrestha, 2021. "Evaluation of Road Infrastructure Projects: A Life Cycle Sustainability-Based Decision-Making Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-26, March.
    4. Pamela Del Rosario & Marzia Traverso, 2023. "Towards Sustainable Roads: A Systematic Review of Triple-Bottom-Line-Based Assessment Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-41, November.
    5. Ivana Štimac Grandić & Paulo Šćulac & Davor Grandić & Iva Vodopija, 2024. "The Accessible Design of Pedestrian Bridges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, January.
    6. Truong Dang Hoang Nhat Nguyen & Hyosoo Moon & Yonghan Ahn, 2022. "Critical Review of Trends in Modular Integrated Construction Research with a Focus on Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-23, September.
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    8. Kostas Anastasiades & Thijs Lambrechts & Jaan Mennes & Amaryllis Audenaert & Johan Blom, 2022. "Formalising the R of Reduce in a Circular Economy Oriented Design Methodology for Pedestrian and Cycling Bridges," J, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-17, January.
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