EPA Webinar Series May 19, 2010 NYSDOT GreenLITES Program Paul Krekeler Engineering GreenLITES Program Manager Elisabeth Kolb Operations GreenLITES Program Manager

Today’s Presentation Sustainable Society & Transportation Role GreenLITES Project Design  How Program Works & Project Examples  Local Projects GreenLITES Operations  How Program Works & Examples GreenLITES Regions & Planning  Overview of recently instituted programs

A Sustainable Society Manages resources in a way that fulfills the community/social, economic and environmental needs of the present without compromising the needs and opportunities of future generations.

NYSDOT’s Goals To plan, design, operate and maintain our transportation system in support of a sustainable society. Not to deplete, and if possible, enhance resources for future generations. Support a vibrant economy. Enhance quality of life for everyone.

What is GreenLITES? Program used to: – Measure our sustainability performance, – Recognize and promote sustainability best practices and – Identify areas where we need to improve our sustainability practices. Modeled after: – Building industry LEED program. – University of Washington Greenroads initiative. A self certification program. A way to demonstrate to public officials and the public how NYSDOT is advancing sustainable practices.

Guiding Principles Not prescriptive Intent is to have all staff consider sustainability Regional decision as to what to include Understand cost is a competing priority Keep it simple

GreenLITES Design Basics Project designs are evaluated for over 175 possible sustainable practices in the five categories. GreenLITES Project Environmental Sustainability Rating System Scorecard Sustainable Sites CategoryPoints IDDescriptionAvailableScored S-1 Alignment Selection S-1aAvoidance of previously undeveloped lands (open space or greenfield)2 S-1bSelect an alignment which establishes a 100’ buffer between highway & natural water course. 2 S-1cAlignments which minimize overall construction “footprint”. Examples: use of retaining walls, selecting design option with minimal footprint. 1 S-1dDesign vertical alignments which minimize total earthwork.1

Certification Categories Five categories: – Sustainable Sites – Water Quality – Materials and Resources – Energy and Atmosphere – Innovation/Unlisted

Four Certification Levels Certification level based on total points received. The highest certification goes to designs which clearly advance the state of sustainable transportation solutions. Level: Non- Certified CertifiedSilverGoldEvergreen Symbol: No Symbol Points: & up

Scoring Methodology All "D" let projects are scored. Includes element-specific (plan sheet or proposal only) and maintenance projects. A modified rating system is used for element-specific and maintenance projects. Standby, where-and-when, or job order contracts are exempt.

Current Statistics Total Projects Evaluated to Date: 221

Implementation Basics Applies to all “D” let projects Consider “green” items at scoping Mid-point check GreenLITES “scorecard” at PS&E Add certification level to cover sheet Certified and above projects get certificate

Recognition All Certified, Silver, and Gold projects receive certificates.

Evergreen Recognition Regions with Evergreen projects get a plaque to list all their Evergreen projects. Presented yearly by the Commissioner.

Program Management A review team: – Verifies all Gold & Evergreen projects. – Verifies and approves all unlisted and innovative items. – Updates program as appropriate. Engineering Division maintains a database and prepares reports. Program goals are reviewed by the Commissioner and Chief Engineer.

Academic Advisory Team Purpose – To obtain academic perspective on GreenLITES – To have external Evergreen project review – Build better relationships between engineering schools and NYSDOT Responsibilities – Program review – Evergreen project review Benefits – Professors bring emerging practices to classroom – Potential student paper research topics – Venue for NYSDOT to recruit interns and employees

Enhanced Outreach: brochures, web page, broad stakeholder involvement, multiple public presentations. Green Infrastructure: Solar-LED bus stop, bio-swales, solar lighting, rain gardens. Greenway Boulevard Design: accommodates, pedestrians, bicycles, transit. Environmental Enhancements: remove invasive species, stock fish in river, remove debris, restore aquatic and wildlife habitat. Evergreen Example Route 347 Safety and Mobility Project (Long Island)

Evergreen Example Route 31 Over the Seneca River Syracuse Region Truss bridge removed, repainted and placed in another location along the canal system. Planted native species including: Maple, Oak, Ash, White Spruce, Dogwood and Elderberry as a vegetative screen between a residential area and the highway. Included an important bike path connection which will help the town complete an element of their Master Plan – a town perimeter bike path. Removed invasive Japanese Knotweed. Contract required no more than 5 acres of soil exposed at any time. Approximately 75% of the topsoil removed was reused in the project area. Concrete pavement was rubblized and used as a subbase course. Millings were re-used as subbase for side streets. Removed Cherry trees were made into lumber and reused as grading stakes. Recycled glass was used in ditches to treat stormwater.

Local Projects Certification Other New York State government agencies and authorities, local municipalities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may use GreenLITES to certify their federally funded transportation projects. Use is voluntary Offers others the opportunity to distinguish their transportation projects based on the extent to which they incorporate sustainable design choices. Program participation demonstrates Sponsor’s:  are committed to improving transportation infrastructure in ways that minimize environmental impacts, and  have taken intentional steps to show to the public they are advancing sustainable practices.

Operations GreenLITES within Annual Maintenance & Operations Plan Started in 2009 Within 15 categories: Bridges, Pavement, Drainage, Signal & Lighting, Snow & Ice, Facilities, ITS, Roadside Environment, Guiderail, Signs, Fleet Admin, Walls & Rock Slopes, Safety, Multimodal Over 95 “green” items added Promote innovative practices

GreenLITES Operations Annual Plan

Operations Certifications Certifications are available for: 1) Residencies 2) Regional Bridge Maintenance Groups 3) Regional Traffic Signals Groups Special GreenLITES awards are available for: 1) Main Office Operations Program Areas 2) Regional Operations Program Areas

Operations Sustainable Practice Examples Promote sustainability through careful roadside work practices and enhancements. Install Living Snow fence Stream Bank Restoration

Operations Sustainable Practice Examples Make highways, fleet and facility buildings cleaner and operate with greater energy efficiency.  Install LED traffic signals  Use CNG vehicles  Use solar panels on roofs

GreenLITES Evolution

Draft Regional Assessment Tool EconomyCurrent State / Metric?Desired State Access to jobs and labor Transportation Preservation (Maintenance backlog) Transit passenger miles Environment Petroleum consumption reduction Air Quality - CO2 emissions Water Quality Habitat Quality Social Equity (Includes Livability & Safety) Fatality and injury reductions per VMT Improved mobility for all including the disadvantaged and disabled Generational Equity Access to affordable transportation

Example Draft Regional Assessment

GreenLITES Planning Project Solicitation Tool developed by NYSDOT in collaboration with several NYS Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). Tool’s purpose is to ensure a more balanced approach in selecting projects and making sustainable transportation decisions. Muni’s self rate their proposed projects Rated projects considered by MPOs for inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Solicitation Tool Details Seven Question Tool: 1. Is the project consistent with current local comprehensive plan (developed within last 10 years), and does that Plan address sustainable practices (see below)? YesNoComments 1a. Does the Plan provide a clear vision of community objectives and priorities? 1b. Is the Plan consistent with regional plans? 1c. Does the zoning map and zoning ordinances reflect the intent of the Plan? 1d. Does the Plan incorporate “walkable communities” and /or “complete streets” concepts? 1e. Has the Plan been developed through an enhanced public outreach effort? This would involve reaching out to all members of the community, including minority and low income and Limited English Proficiency populations. 1f. Does the Plan promote population and development densities that are sufficient to warrant public transit?

Our intent is to integrate and align GreenLITES practices in our Planning, Design/Construction and Operations program areas. GreenLITES Coordination

GreenLITES Complete GreenLITES information is located on our web site at: Questions?