© 2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL 1 All About Greenroads

© 2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL

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All About Greenroads

What is the Greenroads performance metric?A performance metric for roadway design and construction that awards points for more sustainable practices. Greenroads helps quantify the sustainable attributes of a roadway project.

Who is developing Greenroads?Greenroads is being developed jointly by the University of Washington (UW) and CH2M HILL. Importantly, although UW and CH2M HILL are developing this system, the brand associated with any pilot project or rated project will only be the Greenroads brand.

Sasobit Warm Mix AsphaltI-90 near George, WA23 June 2008

What can Greenroads do?•Define what project attributes contribute to roadway sustainability.•Provide a sustainability accounting tool for roadway projects. •Communicate sustainable project attributes to stakeholders.•Manage and improve roadway sustainability.•Stimulate the market for sustainable practices and products•Save money

Overall goal: improve roadway sustainability

Sasobit Warm Mix AsphaltI-90 near George, WA23 June 2008

Greenroads is a project-oriented systemIt does not deal with planning and it does not deal with operations.

Quiet PavementSR 520 Near Bellevue, WA14 July 2007

What we mean by “sustainability”


Sustainability is a system characteristic which refers to the system’s capacity to support natural laws &

human values.

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Natural laws = EcologyRule: Don’t break the earthHow we do this:

1. Do not take stuff out of the earth faster than it will go back in.2. Do not produce stuff (e.g., pollution) faster than it can be

broken down and integrated back into nature. 3. Do not diminish nature’s productivity or diversity or we will

affect nature’s ability to process stuff that we create or use.

Human values = equity and economyEquity rule: Seek quality of life for allEconomy rule: Manage resources wisely

Resources = human, natural, manufactured and financial capital

So what does a more sustainable roadway look like?

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long-lasting pavement

natural cut slope

quality construction

life cycle cost analysis

recycled materials

env. mgmt. sys.

LID stormwater

scenic views

warm mix asphalt

local material

regional material

bus rapid transit

recycled materials

ped./bicycle access

fewer emissions

CSS

art

quality construction

LID stormwater

native vegetation

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warm mix asphalt noise mitigation plan

worker trainingquality construction

reduced paving emissions

ISO certifications

EPA Tier 4 standards

biofuels

The Greenroads performance metric


Greenroads Categories (Version 1.0)

Category Description Points

Project Requirements Minimum requirements for a Greenroad Req

Environment & Water Stormwater, habitat, vegetation 21

Access & Equity Modal access, culture, aesthetics, safety 30

Construction Activities Construction equipment, quality, use 14

Materials & Resources Material extraction, processing, transport 23

Pavement Technology Pavement design, material use, function 20

Total Voluntary Credit Points 108

Custom Credits Write your own credit for approval 10

Grand Total 118

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An example of a Voluntary Credit: Recycling

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Voluntary Credit Points Description

MR-1 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) 2 Conduct a detailed LCA of the entire project

MR-2 Pavement Reuse 5 Reuse existing pavement sections

MR-3 Earthwork Balance 1 Balance cut/fill quantities

MR-4 Recycled Materials 5 Use recycled materials for new pavement

MR-5 Regional Materials 5 Use regional materials

MR-6 Energy Efficiency 5 Improve energy eff. of operational systems

Total 23

Materials & Resources


We have done well recycling hot mix asphalt and portland cement concrete as part of road

construction.

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Asphalt and Concrete Recycled 1999 to 2004

HMA/PCC recycling = 30% of diverted waste0.89 1.12 1.45 1.60 2.00 1.78 2.30

3.02 3.15

3.46 3.63

4.23 5.28

5.39

6.58 6.23 6.08

6.12

7.06

8.12 7.91

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Mill

ions

of T

ons

Year

Landfilled

Other Diverted Waste

Diverted HMA and PCC

30% ofdivertedwaste

Graph from Washington State Department of Ecology data

Waste in Washington State


We can do better. We can reduce the amount to landfills,

and increase the amount to high-value surfacings.

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Destination of Recovered HMA Destination of Recovered PCC

Data from the USGS

Landfill20%

Base Material54%

HMA/PCC12%

Fill, Rip-Rap and Other

14%

Landfill20%

Base Material53%HMA

27%

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AE-1 Safety Audit 2 Perform roadway safety audit

AE-2 ITS 5 Implement ITS solutions

AE-3 Context Sensitive Planning 5 Plan for context sensitive solutions

AE-4 Traffic Emissions Reduction 5 Reduce VMT or SOV travelers

AE-5 Pedestrian Access 2 Provide/improve pedestrian accessibility

AE-6 Bicycle Access 2 Provide/improve bicycle accessibility

AE-7 Transit/HOV Access 5 Provide/improve transit/HOV accessibility

AE-8 Scenic Views 2 Provide views of scenery or vistas

AE-9 Cultural Outreach 2 Promote art/culture/community values

Total 30

Access & Equity

Seattle-to-Bremerton ferry tunnel, Bremerton end.

Do we, as humans, NEED art?


An ethnological view would say that art has value and can contribute to sustainability.

From the work of Ellen Dissanayake(Affiliate Professor, School of Music, University of Washington)

1. Art is the ability to “make special.”Art recognizes or confers ‘specialness,’ a level or order different from everyday. Equally important is the behavior of appreciating that some things are special. These ideas are fundamental and universal.

2. The behavior of art is a common behavior to all human beings, not just artists. It’s important to note that “art” does not mean “good art.”

3. Art has selective value , i.e., in some way it enhances the survival of the species.Art would not exist universally if it did not have selective value. It’s not, as the modern view goes “for its own sake” (i.e., no practical value).

4. Art is valuable because it gives meaning and embellishes life. As humans, we simply cannot bear senselessness or lack of meaning.

Dissanayake, E. (1980). Art as a Human Behavior: Toward an Ethological View of Art. Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 38(4), 397-406. Read it at: http://ellendissanayake.com/publications/pdf/EllenDissanayake_5624714.pdf

http://ellendissanayake.com/publications/pdf/EllenDissanayake_5624714.pdf

Example: art included in wall fascia

Art incorporated into the fascia for an I-5 freeway wall associated with an expansion project on I-5 near its intersection with SR 16 in Tacoma, WA.

Under the freeway at the intersection of I-10 and US 54Photo from “bobb” Picasa web album

Road wall art at Marigold Elementary School, City of Chico, CALead artist: Meridith L. TimpsonNative fish mosaic artists: Robin Indar and Christen Derr

Caigieburn Bypass, Hume Highway, Melbourne, AustraliaTaylor Cullity Lethlean and Robert Owen

James Angus: Ellipsoidal Freeway Sculpture (2008)Eastlink freeway: Nunawading to Frankston, Melbourne

http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/5/James_Angus/1116/41259/

Yellowstone East Entrance project


Certification Levels

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32-42 points 43-54 points 55-63 points 64+ points

PR + 30% VC PR + 40% VC PR + 50% VC PR + 60% VC

Version 1.0: 108 Voluntary Credit Points

Why bother?


Why bother with a performance metric?

• More sustainable roads• Specific benefits:

– Defines basic roadway sustainability attributes– Greater participation in roadway sustainability – Better evaluation of tradeoffs and decisions– Provide means for sustainability assessment– Allows innovation because it is end-result oriented – Confer marketable recognition on projects

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What makes a roadway more/less sustainable and how do you translate these qualities into actionable items on your project?

A Convenient List

• Researched and backed with empirical evidence

• Weighted based on impact

• Each item is directly actionable on a project level

• Each item referenced to sustainability components

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If improving sustainability is an agency/company goal, how do you assess your performance?

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City of Seattle: Sustainable Building PolicyAll City construction projects over 5,000 ft2 must meet LEED Silver rating level. LEED Pilot program provides small grants to help.

King CountyHighest LEED level achievable based on life-cycle cost analysis and funding. Applies to all new construction and renovation over $250,000.

Washington StateAll State funded projects over 5,000 ft2 have a goal of LEED silver.

Some examples from LEED:



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Honolulu (Ordinance #06-06 and Bill #69) since 2006New city facilities over 5,000 ft2 must achieve LEED Silver.1 year exemption from real property taxes on buildings achieving LEED Certification.

Maui County Energy efficiency and conservation working group recommends requiring LEED Certification for all new County facilities . Chair Robert Hoonan from the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa.

Hawaii (HB #2175)All State agency buildings over 5,000 ft2 must attain LEED Silver certification. Priority permit processing for all construction going for LEED Silver or higher.




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PhoenixAll new municipal buildings to be LEED certified (2005). City Building Standards revised to include additional efficiency measures, requiring LEED AP to be on design team.

Scottsdale (Resolution #6644)All new city buildings of any size to achieve LEED Gold and strive for highest certification level. First City in U.S. to have Gold policy.

Arizona (Executive Order #2005-05)All State funded buildings must achieve LEED silver. Also includes mandatory use of renewable energy.



How should a road agency view Greenroads? It addresses your big impact items, including

construction.

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Operating expenditures $1.4 billion Highways $1.08 billion

Support services $0.30 billion

Capital expenditures $4.4 billion Highways $3.88 billion

Ferries $0.28 billion

Rail $0.10 billion

Local Programs $0.13 billion

Total $5.8 billion

An example: WSDOT’s 2009-2011 budget

Washington has a LEED requirementOf this budget, $4.8 million (0.08%) is dedicated to “buildings and other support facilities” that could be addressed by this requirement.

There is no roadway metricOf this budget, $4.38 billion (75%) could be addressed by Greenroads.

How do you communicate what you are doing in your impact areas?

Stories are not enough.


Why should a contractor care? Because there is money to be made.

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From the Turner Construction website:“Turner has extensive experience across a wide variety of sustainable construction projects, enabling us to create a detailed databank of cost-effective Green materials, processes and suppliers to assist our clients. From our experience, the costs associated with these projects can be contained to a level comparable to traditionally constructed buildings.”

Green projects are:30% of 2008 revenue40% of backlog50% of new sales

One example…


Roads should be on the sustainability map. Right now they are not.

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Quick Statistics•$38.69 billion 2008 revenue•Up 70% from 2007•26.2% of total revenue

Tulacz, G. (2009). The Top 100 Green Contractors, ENR, 14 September 2009.


Greenroads right now…(April 18, 2023)

• Who are the developers?– University of Washington and CH2M HILL

• Who is funding Greenroads so far?– TransNow (DOT Region 10 University Transportation Center)– State Pavement Technology Consortium (WA, CA, MN, TX)– Western Federal Lands Highway Division (FLHD)– Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)

• What is the status right now?– Online: www.greenroads.us– Version 1.0 is available for download now

• Want to review and comment on Greenroads?– Contact us now through www.greenroads.us

• Want to participate in Greenroads as a pilot project?– Contact us now at www.greenroads.us38

http://www.greenroads.us/



Sustainability is the next great game in transportation.The game becomes serious when you keep score.

Greenroads keeps score.

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Requirement Description

PR-1 Environmental Review Process Complete and environmental review process

PR-2 Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) Perform LCCA for pavement section

PR-3 Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Perform LCI of pavement section with computer tool

PR-4 Quality Control Plan Have a formal contractor quality control plan

PR-5 Noise Mitigation Plan Have a construction noise mitigation plan

PR-6 Waste Management Plan Have a formal plan to divert C&D waste from landfill

PR-7 Pollution Prevention Plan Have a TESC/SWPPP

PR-8 Low-Impact Development (LID) Feasibility study for LID stormwater management

PR-9 Pavement Mgmt. System Have a pavement management system

PR-10 Site Maintenance Plan Have a site maintenance plan

PR-11 Educational Outreach Publicize sustainability information for project

Project Requirements

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EW-1 Environmental Mgmt. Sys. 2 ISO 14001 or eq. cert. for general contractor

EW-2 Runoff Flow Control 3 Capture stormwater/reduce runoff quantity

EW-3 Runoff Quality 3 Treat stormwater to a higher level of quality

EW-4 Stormwater Cost Analysis 1 Conduct an LCCA for stormwater BMP/LID

EW-5 Site Vegetation 3 Use native low/no water vegetation

EW-6 Habitat Restoration 3 Create new habitat beyond what is required

EW-7 Ecological Connectivity 3 Connect habitat across roadways

EW-8 Light Pollution 3 Discourage light pollution

Total 21

Environment & Water

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AE-1 Safety Audit 2 Perform roadway safety audit

AE-2 ITS 5 Implement ITS solutions

AE-3 Context Sensitive Planning 5 Plan for context sensitive solutions

AE-4 Traffic Emissions Reduction 5 Reduce VMT or SOV travelers

AE-5 Pedestrian Access 2 Provide/improve pedestrian accessibility

AE-6 Bicycle Access 2 Provide/improve bicycle accessibility

AE-7 Transit/HOV Access 5 Provide/improve transit/HOV accessibility

AE-8 Scenic Views 2 Provide views of scenery or vistas

AE-9 Cultural Outreach 2 Promote art/culture/community values

Total 30

Access & Equity

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CA-1 Quality Management System 2 ISO 9001 cert. or eq. for general contractor

CA-2 Environmental Training 1 Provide environmental training

CA-3 Site Recycling Plan 1 On-site recycling and trash collection

CA-4 Fossil Fuel Use Reduction 2 Use alt. fuels in construction equipment

CA-5 Eqpt. Emission Reduction 2 Meet EPA Tier 4 stds. for nonroad equipment

CA-6 Paver Emission Reduction 1 Use pavers that meet NIOSH requirements

CA-7 Water Use Tracking 2 Develop data on water use in construction

CA-8 Contractor Warranty 3 Warranty on the constructed pavement

Total 14

Construction Activities

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MR-1 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) 2 Conduct a detailed LCA of the entire project

MR-2 Pavement Reuse 5 Reuse existing pavement sections

MR-3 Earthwork Balance 1 Balance cut/fill quantities

MR-4 Recycled Materials 5 Use recycled materials for new pavement

MR-5 Regional Materials 5 Use regional materials

MR-6 Energy Efficiency 5 Improve energy eff. of operational systems

Total 23

Materials & Resources

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PT-1 Long-Life Pavement 5 Design pavements for long-life

PT-2 Permeable Pavement 3 Use permeable pavement as a LID technique

PT-3 Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) 3 Use WMA in place of HMA

PT-4 Cool Pavement 5 Contribute less to urban heat island effect

PT-5 Quiet Pavement 3 Use a quiet pavement to reduce noise

PT-6 Pvmt. Performance Tracking 1 Relate construction to performance data

Total 20

Pavement Technologies

Documents

© 2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL 1 All About Greenroads