Green highway is a roadway planned and designed with desires to integrate transportation functionality and ecological. A green highway takes high consideration on the approach of environment to the transportation system development, the ecosystem, urban growth, public health and also to surrounding communities. Reference to standard system such Green Roads Rating System becomes more popular being used to measure the classification of a green highway. This journal paper aimed to discuss on how important is the energy efficiency criteria to be measured in the green highway development. Energy is considered highly related to highway development due to it is the most infrastructures involves in massive construction activities from its construction up to the operation and maintenance process. Relevant energy criteria in green highway development had been figured out and a checklist of the comparison among the current relevant reference in the green highway is highlighted in this paper. These identified criteria for energy efficiency are importance to be considered in Malaysian Highway Index. The criteria include the consideration on Energy Plan for Green performance strategies, energy plan for maintenance, grey and green compound and car park, rest and service area (RSA), toll plaza and interchange.

The reduction in energy usage is proven able to minimize the carbon dioxide emission. By promoting energy efficient practices at Rest and Service areas (RSAs) along the highway, it is able to decreasing the carbon dioxide emission. This paper highlights the outcome of a study aims to compare the energy consumption of the RSA that utilized HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and non-HVAC. Thus, the study extends to determine the potential retrofitting of RSAs that responsive to more energy reduction. Data collection conducted at the 6 RSAs in PLUS highway, Johor Region of Malaysia which are Pagoh RSA (Northbound & Southbound), Machap (Northbound & Southbound), and Gelang Patah (Northbound & Southbound). The results show that the energy consumption at Machap Northbound RSA is considered very high in comparison to the other RSAs in Johor Region that not utilized full HVAC. Thus, it was proven that the usage of full HVAC system contributing to the increase of energy consumption at the RSA. Simultaneously, the carbon emission is also directional proportion to the energy consumption at the RSAs. Some retrofitting is potential to be applied for more energy efficiency in order to support the maximum energy reduction at the RSAs. In example, reducing the number of air-condition unit at the café is significant to be taken to reduce energy wastage for all 6 RSAs. In conclusion, energy efficient RSAs can be achieved by applying good energy management, installing best energy saving appliance and implementing passive design strategy.