A sustainability rating system for roadways Steve Muench University of Washington

1. A sustainability rating system for roadways Steve MuenchUniversity of Washington 1 Officially we are calling the version released on 11 January 2009: version 0.95.Officially we are calling the version released on 11 January 2009: version 0.95.

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3. Slides 3-9 are meant to establish a firm definition of �sustainability� as we see it. I think there�s a lot of fluff out there in the definition and most folks use some wishy-washy definition that makes it REAL hard to pull out what you can take action on tomorrow on your project. Using what we�ve come up with provides an avenue to action. Also, this definition gives you an understanding of how we chose the credits � they directly reflect this definition. For instance, there are several �education� and �exposure� credits that come directly from our belief that �exposure� is vital to sustainability.Slides 3-9 are meant to establish a firm definition of �sustainability� as we see it. I think there�s a lot of fluff out there in the definition and most folks use some wishy-washy definition that makes it REAL hard to pull out what you can take action on tomorrow on your project. Using what we�ve come up with provides an avenue to action. Also, this definition gives you an understanding of how we chose the credits � they directly reflect this definition. For instance, there are several �education� and �exposure� credits that come directly from our belief that �exposure� is vital to sustainability.

4. There are a lot of definitions for �sustainable� out there. Most are incomplete. This is what we think �sustainability� means. 4 Emphasize �system characteristic� � it�s important.Emphasize �system characteristic� � it�s important.

5. There are a lot of definitions for �sustainable� out there. Most are incomplete. This is what we think �sustainability� means. 5 Here is where we start to specifically explain what we mean. The 3 rules come from �The Natural Step� framework that Jeralee referenced in her thesis (http://www.naturalstep.org/). Normally this is what people are talking about when they say �green�. Here is where we start to specifically explain what we mean. The 3 rules come from �The Natural Step� framework that Jeralee referenced in her thesis (http://www.naturalstep.org/). Normally this is what people are talking about when they say �green�.

6. There are a lot of definitions for �sustainable� out there. Most are incomplete. This is what we think �sustainability� means. 6 This is where economy and equity come in. Note that economy is resource management and includes other capital besides financial. This is where economy and equity come in. Note that economy is resource management and includes other capital besides financial.

7. There are a lot of definitions for �sustainable� out there. Most are incomplete. This is what we think �sustainability� means. 7 This is a key point because it establishes a place for and even a need for a rating system to help do the managing, judging, improving. This is a key point because it establishes a place for and even a need for a rating system to help do the managing, judging, improving.

8. There are a lot of definitions for �sustainable� out there. Most are incomplete. This is what we think �sustainability� means. 8 I usually quickly go over this slide and say that all those previous slides are often summed up in this oft quoted passage from the Brundtland Report. We think that using this passage alone, it�s hard to translate it into actionalble items.I usually quickly go over this slide and say that all those previous slides are often summed up in this oft quoted passage from the Brundtland Report. We think that using this passage alone, it�s hard to translate it into actionalble items.

9. Sustainability does not make much sense unless you also include 4 more items. Defining �sustainable� for your project Extent: What is the project scope (area, time, location)? Expectations: What are the performance expectations? Making �sustainability� work Experience: Need technical expertise to develop solutions Exposure: Education and public awareness 9 Super important to add this. Many engineers question this idea of sustainability if you don�t discuss these things. First, �sustainability� means nothing unless you consider (1) how long your road or project is supposed to last, and (2) what your performance expectations are. You can build a road out of dirt or concrete � both can be sustainable but it depends upon extent and expectations as to which one you select. Second, if we want to make this idea of sustainability stick, we need to have experts to solve sustainability issues and we need to educate the profession, industry and public on why it matters so much. Super important to add this. Many engineers question this idea of sustainability if you don�t discuss these things. First, �sustainability� means nothing unless you consider (1) how long your road or project is supposed to last, and (2) what your performance expectations are. You can build a road out of dirt or concrete � both can be sustainable but it depends upon extent and expectations as to which one you select. Second, if we want to make this idea of sustainability stick, we need to have experts to solve sustainability issues and we need to educate the profession, industry and public on why it matters so much.

10. We are really just talking about being �more sustainable� than we were. We are going for �do less bad�. The goal is �do good�. 10 The point is that we are really not being �sustainable� in the strict sense of the word. We are being �more sustainable� than we were. Thus, we are really just doing less evil. That�s OK but keep in mind the final big audacious goal is to DO GOOD. The animation shows this. I bring up 2 things that I think do good: Ants: the biomass of ants on this earth is more than that of humans yet nobody is complaining about them ruining the earth. They eat decaying organic matter, aerate the soil, can be used for medicine, etc. Cherry trees: the point here is that SUSTAINABILITY DOES NOT EQUAL EFFICIENCY. The Cherry tree produces thousands of blossoms each spring but not all turn into cherry trees. It is inefficient. However it is fully integrated into nature and those blossoms are all used in some manner or another. Efficiency is only important if you are trying to do less bad. For instance, if you produce toxic waste you can be efficient and produce less toxic waste. However if you produce drinking water as a byproduct perhaps you don�t want to be efficient. Ants are good: used for medicine, food source for animals, clean up dead/decaying matter, aerate soil, The point is that we are really not being �sustainable� in the strict sense of the word. We are being �more sustainable� than we were. Thus, we are really just doing less evil. That�s OK but keep in mind the final big audacious goal is to DO GOOD. The animation shows this. I bring up 2 things that I think do good: Ants: the biomass of ants on this earth is more than that of humans yet nobody is complaining about them ruining the earth. They eat decaying organic matter, aerate the soil, can be used for medicine, etc. Cherry trees: the point here is that SUSTAINABILITY DOES NOT EQUAL EFFICIENCY. The Cherry tree produces thousands of blossoms each spring but not all turn into cherry trees. It is inefficient. However it is fully integrated into nature and those blossoms are all used in some manner or another. Efficiency is only important if you are trying to do less bad. For instance, if you produce toxic waste you can be efficient and produce less toxic waste. However if you produce drinking water as a byproduct perhaps you don�t want to be efficient. Ants are good: used for medicine, food source for animals, clean up dead/decaying matter, aerate soil,

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14. We must be careful how we define and measure pavement sustainability. Using a standard for buildings may not be advisable. http://www.asphaltisbest.com/PDFs/LEED%20-%20HMA%20contribution%20to%20points%2009-04-07.pdfhttp://www.asphaltisbest.com/PDFs/LEED%20-%20HMA%20contribution%20to%20points%2009-04-07.pdf

17. This slide starts the description of Greenroads itselfThis slide starts the description of Greenroads itself

18. If you used the LEED slide, use this one to refocus on GreenroadsIf you used the LEED slide, use this one to refocus on Greenroads

19. Greenroads Categories 19 The points and categories for verison 0.95.The points and categories for verison 0.95.

20. The next few slides run through the PR category and an exampleThe next few slides run through the PR category and an example

21. Development can substantially change a watershed�s hydrologic regime.

22. Low impact development (LID) techniques can be used to more closely match pre-development hydrologic conditions. 22

23. Example PR Requirement 23

25. We have done well recycling hot mix asphalt and portland cement concrete as part of road construction. 25 Note that recycling has gone up a lot in the past decade. Therefore, the road industry and especially the PCC and HMA industries rightfully take pride in their material being recycled at a high rate. Data are from the 16th Annual Status Report by the Washington DOE Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Program (December 2007) Publication #07-07-048 (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0707048.html) Biggest tonnage for diversion by far. #2 is ferrous at just over 1,000,000 tons (HMA and PCC = 2.3 million tons)Note that recycling has gone up a lot in the past decade. Therefore, the road industry and especially the PCC and HMA industries rightfully take pride in their material being recycled at a high rate. Data are from the 16th Annual Status Report by the Washington DOE Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Program (December 2007) Publication #07-07-048 (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0707048.html) Biggest tonnage for diversion by far. #2 is ferrous at just over 1,000,000 tons (HMA and PCC = 2.3 million tons)

26. We can do better. We can reduce the amount to landfills, and increase the amount to high-value surfacings. 26 Using HMA or PCC in base material is an example of �downcycling� coined in �Cradle to Cradle� by McDonough and Braungart. Essentially it is using a material for a lesser purpose than what it was originally produced for. You can never go back from base material back up to HMA or PCC. Essentially you�ve lost the value (especially in the HMA case) of the asphalt stuck to the rocks if you just use the material as a rock substitute.Using HMA or PCC in base material is an example of �downcycling� coined in �Cradle to Cradle� by McDonough and Braungart. Essentially it is using a material for a lesser purpose than what it was originally produced for. You can never go back from base material back up to HMA or PCC. Essentially you�ve lost the value (especially in the HMA case) of the asphalt stuck to the rocks if you just use the material as a rock substitute.

27. Example MR Credit 27

28. Certification Levels 28 These are the new levels based on 76 credits. These are the new levels based on 76 credits.

30. Why bother with a rating standard? 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 30 There�s a big list here but we will highlight only a couple.There�s a big list here but we will highlight only a couple.

31. What makes a roadway more or less sustainable and how do you translate these qualities into actionable items? 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 31 Don�t need to use certification.Don�t need to use certification.

32. If improving sustainability is an agency/company goal, how do you assess your performance? 32 Bunch of organizations have LEED goals. But what about roads?Bunch of organizations have LEED goals. But what about roads?

33. If improving sustainability is an agency/company goal, how do you assess your performance? 33 Bunch of organizations have LEED goals. But what about roads?Bunch of organizations have LEED goals. But what about roads?

34. Why should a contractor care? Because there is money to be made. 34

35. We need to be on the map. 35 The 2007 construction green market is something like $22 billion. Do you notice anything about these graphs? No transportation projects. Why? ENR defined a �green project� as one that was pursuing certification by an independent rating system. There are no systems for transportation so�no credit. However, we are doing good things and we need to be on the map.The 2007 construction green market is something like $22 billion. Do you notice anything about these graphs? No transportation projects. Why? ENR defined a �green project� as one that was pursuing certification by an independent rating system. There are no systems for transportation so�no credit. However, we are doing good things and we need to be on the map.

36. Greenroads effort right now�(25 May 2012) Who is developing Greenroads? 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) Federal Lands Highway Division (FLHD) What is the status right now? Version 0.96 now Online: www.greenroads.us When can it be used? We want comments and pilot projects NOW Let us know via the website (www.greenroads.us) 36

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