Sustainable Transport Council

What Sustainable Transport Council does

The Sustainable Transport Council (STC) is an independent non-profit public benefit corporation founded in 2010 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, that develops and administers sustainability rating systems for transportation infrastructure projects. Its core product is the Greenroads Rating System, a consensus-based, research-backed methodology for evaluating and certifying the sustainability of road and transport projects across design, construction, and operational dimensions. The portfolio also includes the Greenrails sub-brand for rail infrastructure and the Greenmodes sub-brand for multimodal and alternative transport, along with the Sustainable Transport Professional (STP) credential, which qualifies practitioners to lead project teams through the rating process. Quantified outcomes from certified projects include 92% construction waste diversion, 88% contaminant removal, 28% energy consumption reduction, 27% of sites with improved workzone safety controls, 108 certified corridor miles safer for pedestrians, bikes, and buses, and 77% local workforce hiring.

STC monetizes through a combination of earned revenue and donations. Earned revenue comes from three-tiered memberships (Ambassador at $60/year, Activator at $135/year, Accelerator at $300/year) offering discounts on training, the STP exam, and merchandise; education and training programs including free webinars, sponsor-supported partner agency workshops, paid private team workshops, and online/in-person courses; project rating and certification fees tied to the Greenroads, Greenrails, and Greenmodes systems; and direct publication sales of the 2019 Greenroads Version 2 rating system at $50 per copy through an online storefront. STC also accepts one-time, weekly, and monthly donations at preset and custom amounts.

The primary customer segments are state, regional, and local government transportation agencies (e.g., Oregon DOT, TxDOT, City of Seattle, City of Austin), civil engineering and construction firms that design and build transport projects, and the individual transportation professionals who pursue STP credentials and memberships. The go-to-market is community-led and product-led, combining free educational content and webinars for top-of-funnel acquisition, a self-serve membership and e-commerce experience, and on-site partner agency workshops as field sales touchpoints. The organization operates with approximately 5 employees and is governed by a Board led by an interim Chair and a Secretary/Treasurer, with at least one board seat currently open.

Name

Sustainable Transport Council

Legal name

Sustainable Transport Council

Website

https://transportcouncil.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sustainable Transport Council is a non-profit that certifies sustainable transport infrastructure through its Greenroads rating system, Greenrails, Greenmodes, and the STP credential, serving government transportation agencies and engineering/construction firms via memberships, training, and project rating fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Transportation Certification

NAICS

Support Activities for Transportation (488), Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs (926120)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Active Transportation & Micromobility Infrastructure (Bike/Ped Networks, Shared Mobility Programs) (BPAIALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL), Local Transportation, Parking & Mobility Administration (BPAIACAM)

Keywords

• Sustainable transportation certification
• Transport infrastructure rating
• Green roads certification
• Sustainability professional credential
• Transportation membership organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Redmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Programs: Three-tiered membership model (Ambassador $60/year, Activator $135/year, Accelerator $300/year) offering discounts on education, publications, exams, and merchandise, along with networking benefits and committee participation. Higher tiers include voting privileges in Board elections and VIP event access.
2. Education and Training: Revenue from online and in-person courses, workshops (partner agency, private team), and the STP (Sustainable Transport Professional) certification exam. Continuing education for professional development is a core revenue driver.
3. Project Rating and Certification: Fees associated with rating transport infrastructure projects using the Greenroads, Greenrails, and Greenmodes systems. Organizations pursue certification to demonstrate sustainability credentials.
4. Publication Sales (E-commerce): Direct sales of the Greenroads Rating System publication (2019 Version 2) at $50 per copy through the organization's online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sustainable Transport Council is an independent nonprofit public benefit corporation that develops and operates consensus-based sustainability rating systems (Greenroads, Greenrails, Greenmodes) for certifying transportation infrastructure projects. Its commercial offerings include a three-tiered membership program (Ambassador $60/year, Activator $135/year, Accelerator $300/year), the Sustainable Transport Professional (STP) certification exam, education and training (webinars, on-site workshops), the Greenroads Rating System publication, and project rating/certification services.

Product overview

Sustainable Transport Council operates as an independent non-profit public benefit corporation offering a platform of sustainability rating systems and programs for transportation infrastructure. The core product is the Greenroads® Rating System, a consensus-based, research-backed certification program for sustainable transport projects. The portfolio includes two sub-brands: Greenrails™ for rail infrastructure and Greenmodes™ for multi-modal transportation. The organization supports its rating systems through three interconnected programs: membership (with three tiers: Ambassador at $60/year, Activator at $135/year, and Accelerator at $300/year), education (including webinars, workshops, and the Sustainable Transport Professional exam), and project rating services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Greenroads: Consensus-based, research-backed rating system for sustainable transportation infrastructure projects.
• Greenrails
• Greenmodes

Products and services

• Greenroads® Rating System (Version 2) Consensus-based, research-backed rating system for evaluating and certifying sustainable transportation and infrastructure projects across design and construction; provides standards that enhance climate security and reduce environmental impacts. Sold as a publication and licensed for use in project certification.
• Greenrails™ Rating Program Brand extension of the Greenroads rating framework focused on certifying sustainable rail transportation infrastructure projects.
• Greenmodes™ Rating Program Brand extension of the Greenroads rating framework focused on certifying sustainable multimodal and alternative transportation infrastructure projects.
• Ambassador Membership Entry-level individual membership at $60/year (or $6/month) providing 20% networking event savings, member committee access, member email group, digital wall certificate, and LinkedIn Member Badge.
• Activator Membership Mid-tier individual membership at $135/year (or $14/month) including all Ambassador benefits plus voting privileges in Board elections, 20% off the STP exam, 20% off educational materials, and 20% off training activities.
• Accelerator Membership Top-tier individual membership at $300/year (or $30/month) including all Activator benefits plus VIP event access, public acknowledgement on sign-up, speaking/mentoring opportunities, and an annual member gift.
• Sustainable Transport Professional (STP) Exam Professional certification exam that enables practitioners to lead project teams through Greenroads, Greenrails, and Greenmodes rating processes; offered with member discounts.
• Education and Training Programs Continuing education offerings including free introductory webinars (monthly or on-demand), free full-day partner agency workshops hosted on-site at public agencies, paid private workshops for specific project teams, and online and in-person courses for transportation professional development.
• Project Rating and Certification Services Programs supporting the use of Greenroads, Greenrails, and Greenmodes rating systems around the world to design, certify, and recognize outstanding sustainable transport projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of construction waste materials diverted from landfill and recycled in Greenroads-certified projects
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOregon DOT is listed as a Project Partner, indicating active collaboration on Greenroads-certified transport infrastructure projects. As a government transportation authority, ODOT contributes practical project case studies and field expertise that inform and validate the Greenroads rating system.
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTxDOT is listed as a Project Partner, indicating active collaboration on Greenroads-certified transport infrastructure projects. The partnership contributes large-scale project data and government sector validation to the rating system.
• City of SeattlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Seattle is listed as a Project Partner. As a progressive urban municipality with strong sustainability mandates, Seattle's participation provides high-visibility urban project case studies and credibility with other city-level transportation agencies.
• City of AustinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Project Partner, contributing municipal transportation project experience to the Greenroads program.
• City of BothellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Project Partner, contributing smaller-scale municipal transportation project experience to the Greenroads program.
• City of FairfieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Project Partner, contributing local government transportation project experience to the Greenroads program.
• TCA (Transportation Authority)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Project Partner, contributing specialized transportation authority project experience to the Greenroads program.
• HDRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as an Education Sponsor, indicating financial and marketing support for STC's education and professional development programs. HDR, as an engineering and infrastructure consultancy, may also contribute technical expertise to course content.
• Cal Poly PomonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as an Education Sponsor, providing institutional support for STC's educational programming. As a university with engineering programs, Cal Poly Pomona contributes academic credibility and student/professional pipeline access.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO): NACTO publishes urban street design guidance (e.g., Urban Street Design Guide, Transit Street Design Guide) widely used by the same city transportation departments STC serves. It is an adjacent influencer on sustainable street design standards rather than a direct competitor.
• C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: C40 is a global network of major cities committed to climate action, including sustainable transport. Its programs (e.g., Clean Bus Declaration, Zero Emission Fleets) overlap thematically with STC's multimodal and active transportation focus.
• Smart Growth America: Smart Growth America advocates for equitable, sustainable transportation and land-use policy and convenes the same municipal audience STC targets through workshops and certifications. Adjacent advocacy/standards role in the sustainable transport ecosystem.
• International Living Building Institute: Administers the Living Building Challenge and other regenerative-design certifications across the built environment. Operates in adjacent sustainability-certification space with comparable consensus-based methodology and education/membership programming.
• World Resources Institute (WRI) — Ross Center for Sustainable Cities: WRI's Ross Center develops research, tools, and standards (e.g., sustainable urban transport frameworks) used by the same cities and agencies STC serves. Comparable mission orientation but operating via research and policy rather than paid certification.

Broad incumbents

• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI): GBCI is the certification body administering credentials such as LEED, TRUE Zero Waste, and Parksmart. As a peer credentialing operator, it competes for sustainability-program administration fees and adjacent infrastructure and waste certifications.
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) — LEED: USGBC operates LEED, the dominant green-building certification now extending into LEED for Cities and Communities and pilot infrastructure frameworks. It is a broader incumbent in sustainability certification that competes for the same policy attention and corporate sustainability budgets.

Direct peers

• Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI): ISI administers the Envision sustainability rating system for infrastructure projects — the closest direct competitor to STC's Greenroads. Both are independent, consensus-based certifiers selling sustainability credentials to the same government and engineering customers in North America.
• FHWA INVEST (Infrastructure Voluntary Evaluation Sustainability Tool): FHWA's free, government-backed sustainability self-assessment tool for roads and highways. INVEST directly overlaps STC's Greenroads rating scope and competes on price since it is offered at no cost to U.S. state DOTs and municipalities.

Regional players

• BRE Group (BREEAM Infrastructure / CEEQUAL): BRE operates the BREEAM Infrastructure certification (formerly CEEQUAL), a sustainability rating system for civil engineering and infrastructure projects primarily in the UK and Europe. Comparable methodology, scope, and customer base to Greenroads, with established international project rating.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/transportcncl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Transport Council