Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino was a guest speaker recently at the 140th Annual American Society of Civil Engineers Conference in Las Vegas, Nev.

Andolino was invited to share the CDA’s sustainable initiatives on a panel entitled “Vision 2025 - Civil Engineers Innovating a Sustainable Future.”

She was joined by panelists Fran Eide, city engineer, Olympia, Wash.; and Rutherford Platt, professor of geography emeritus and director, Ecological Cities Project.

The panel was moderated by ASCE 2010 President Blaine D. Leonard.

The session was attended by approximately 125 domestic and international civil engineering professionals interested in learning about how to incorporate long-term sustainability on their projects.

Andolino discussed how the CDA Sustainable Airport Manual (SAM) helps CDA achieve the triple bottom line with airport projects that are economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sound.

She cited specific O’Hare Modernization Program components, including the Runway 10C East mass grading project, to demonstrate how sustainable initiatives in construction have saved time and money while helping protect the natural environment.

Andolino was also asked to provide counsel and technical guidance to a project panel for the Airport Cooperative Research Program.

The panel was established by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies in Washington, D.C.

Andolino discussed SAM, which is an integral part of Chicago’s ongoing efforts toward implementing more environmentally sustainable buildings and civil infrastructure on airports.

The panel is being administered by the ACRP in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Council International - North America; American Association of Airports Executives, National Association of State Aviation Officials and Air Transport Association of America.

The National Academies work together in the status of a private nonprofit corporation.

Panel members include scientists, engineers, technologists and research workers with personal expertise selected to contribute to the Academies through the work of the National Research Council’s Transportation Research Board.