Proceedings of the Measurement Science for Sustainable Construction and Manufacturing Workshop Volume I. Position Papers and Findings

Abstract

ForewordAn environmentally conscious public is increasingly demanding products that are more sustainable. Manufacturers are seeking to meet the expectations of consumers and the demands of regulators while becoming more environmentally responsible. For consumers, regulators, and manufacturers alike, this requires that credible processes be implemented to accurately measure the environmental impacts of products. As a result, sustainability considerations can drive new materials and technologies for sustainable products, process innovation for sustainable manufacturing, and innovation and creativity in supply and value chain operations. Therefore, progress toward greater sustainability in the built environment and the manufacturing sector is a necessary step to better enable resource efficiency in our nation.The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops unbiased, state-of-the-art measurement science that advances the nation's technology infrastructure and is needed by industry to continually improve products and services. The mission of NIST's Engineering Laboratory is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in areas of critical national priority by anticipating and meeting the measurement science and standards needs for technology-intensive manufacturing, construction, and cyber-physical systems in ways that enhance economic prosperity and improve the quality of life. Sustainability is a recognized critical national priority-one that requires meaningful and rigorous measurement science for establishing suitable performance metrics.To address this need, NIST launched an effort to develop, organize, and convene an invitational workshop on sustainability to promote the adoption and use of sustainable construction and manufacturing and guide NIST in developing a portfolio of programs that are focused on providing the enabling measurement science to key industry stakeholders. The University of Maryland in collaboration with the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers undertook and performed that effort. The workshop was organized around four cross-cutting themes: (1) measurement science; (2) systems; (3) planning, design, and supply chains; and (4) economic, environmental, and social aspects. Plenary session presentations were commissioned covering each of the four cross-cutting themes. The plenary session presentations set the stage for focused breakout sessions organized around the four cross-cutting themes. Workshop participants were assigned to the breakout sessions in a manner that facilitated discussions among the key stakeholder groups represented at the workshop. The breakout sessions were co-facilitated by each theme's plenary speakers, which provided a firm base from which to develop a snapshot of the current state-of-the-art in that topic area, as well as identify gaps and research opportunities. Chan...