All About Greenroads
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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
Sasobit Warm Mix Asphalt
I-90 near George, WA
23 June 2008
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 Asphalt
I-90 near George, WA
23 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
Quiet Pavement
SR 520 Near Bellevue, WA
14 July 2007
Greenroads is a project-oriented system
It does not deal with planning and it does not deal with operations.
Design &
Planning Operation
Construction
What we mean by sustainability
Sustainability is a system characteristic which refers to the
systems capacity to support natural laws & human values.
Natural laws = Ecology
Rule: Dont break the earth
How 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 natures productivity or diversity or we will
affect natures ability to process stuff that we create or use.
Human values = equity and economy
Equity rule: Seek quality of life for all
Economy rule: Manage resources wisely
Resources = human, natural, manufactured and financial capital
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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
So what does a more sustainable roadway look like?
warm mix asphalt
life cycle cost analysis
env. mgmt. sys.
long-lasting pavement
scenic views
local material
natural cut slope
LID stormwater
recycled materials
8 quality construction
ped./bicycle access art
recycled materials fewer emissions
bus rapid transit
CSS
LID stormwater
regional material
native vegetation
quality construction
EPA Tier 4 standards reduced paving emissions
warm mix asphalt noise mitigation plan
quality construction worker training
10 biofuels ISO certifications
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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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
An example of a Voluntary Credit: Recycling
Materials & Resources
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
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We have done well recycling hot mix asphalt and portland
cement concrete as part of road construction.
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Waste in Washington State
Asphalt and Concrete Recycled 1999 to 2004
Landfilled
16
Other Diverted Waste
14 Diverted HMA and PCC
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Millions of Tons
7.91
8.12
10 7.06
6.12
8 6.08
6.58 6.23
6
5.39
5.28
4 4.23
3.63
3.46
3.15
3.02
2 30% of
2.00 1.78
2.30 diverted
1.45 1.60
0.89 1.12 waste
0
HMA/PCC recycling = 30% of diverted waste
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
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Graph from Washington
2010 University of WashingtonState Department
and CH2M HILL of Ecology data Year
We can do better. We can reduce the amount to landfills,
and increase the amount to high-value surfacings.
Destination of Recovered HMA Destination of Recovered PCC
Landfill Landfill
20% 20%
Fill, Rip-Rap
Base Material and Other Base Material
53% 14% 54%
HMA
27%
HMA/PCC
12%
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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL Data from the USGS
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Access & Equity
Voluntary Credit Points Description
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
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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.
Its 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. Its 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
2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
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 54
Photo from bobb Picasa web album
Road wall art at Marigold Elementary School, City of Chico, CA
Lead artist: Meridith L. Timpson
Native fish mosaic artists: Robin Indar and Christen Derr
Caigieburn Bypass, Hume Highway, Melbourne, Australia
Taylor Cullity Lethlean and Robert Owen
James Angus: Ellipsoidal Freeway Sculpture (2008)
Eastlink freeway: Nunawading to Frankston, Melbourne
Yellowstone East Entrance project
Certification Levels
Version 1.0: 108 Voluntary Credit Points
32-42 points 43-54 points 55-63 points 64+ points
PR + 30% VC PR + 40% VC PR + 50% VC PR + 60% VC
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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
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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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
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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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
If improving sustainability is an agency/company goal, how
do you assess your performance?
Some examples from LEED:
City of Seattle: Sustainable Building Policy
All City construction projects over 5,000 ft2 must meet
LEED Silver rating level. LEED Pilot program provides
small grants to help.
King County
Highest LEED level achievable based on life-cycle cost
analysis and funding. Applies to all new construction and
renovation over $250,000.
Washington State
All State funded projects over 5,000 ft2 have a goal of
LEED silver.
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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
If improving sustainability is an agency/company goal, how
do you assess your performance?
Some examples from LEED:
Honolulu (Ordinance #06-06 and Bill #69) since 2006
New 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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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
If improving sustainability is an agency/company goal, how
do you assess your performance?
Some examples from LEED:
Phoenix
All 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.
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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
How should a road agency view Greenroads?
It addresses your big impact items, including construction.
An example: WSDOTs 2009-2011 budget
Washington has a LEED requirement
Operating expenditures $1.4 billion Of this budget, $4.8 million (0.08%) is
Highways $1.08 billion dedicated to buildings and other
support facilities that could be
Support services $0.30 billion
addressed by this requirement.
Capital expenditures $4.4 billion
Highways $3.88 billion There is no roadway metric
Of this budget, $4.38 billion (75%)
Ferries $0.28 billion
could be addressed by Greenroads.
Rail $0.10 billion
Local Programs $0.13 billion How do you communicate what you
are doing in your impact areas?
Total $5.8 billion
Stories are not enough.
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2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
Why should a contractor care?
Because there is money to be made.
From the Turner Construction website:
One example 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 revenue
40% of backlog
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50% of new sales
2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
Roads should be on the sustainability map.
Right now they are not.
Quick Statistics
$38.69 billion 2008 revenue
Up 70% from 2007
26.2% of total revenue
37 Tulacz, G. (2009). The Top 100 Green Contractors, ENR, 14 September 2009.
2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
Greenroads right now
(20 August 2017)
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?
38 Contact us now at www.greenroads.us
2010 University of Washington and CH2M HILL
Sustainability is the next great game in transportation.
The game becomes serious when you keep score.
Greenroads keeps score.
Project Requirements
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
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Environment & Water
Voluntary Credit Points Description
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
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Access & Equity
Voluntary Credit Points Description
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
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Construction Activities
Voluntary Credit Points Description
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
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Materials & Resources
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
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Pavement Technologies
Voluntary Credit Points Description
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
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