1. Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program
Mott MacDonald and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority strengthen sustainability through information.

2. Information-powered Sustainability

3. Understanding usage at different types of facilities
Group facilities by:
Type,
Size, or
Business purpose
Allows for direct comparisons
Able to identify causes of variations
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

4. Understanding usage at different types of facilities, contd.
Establish baseline based on oldest year of complete data
Establish baseline based on beginning of sustainability efforts
Set baseline based on mandates of governing body
For drought restrictions, Water District set baseline year as 2013
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

5. Identifying anomalies
Bill analysis
Automated reports
Built reports
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

6. Determining and evaluating efficiency projects
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

7. Setting goals and assessing progress
Agency wide
Highest level is best for Executive team and general public
Allows for at-a-glance assessment
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

8. Setting goals and assessing progress, contd.
Facility or meter level
Useful for sustainability managers and facilities staff
High level of details allows for targeted projects and identification of problem areas
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

9. Project Examples

10. Utility Management System
Automated bill-data entry
Initial audits performed
Cost and usage analysed
Specialized reports prepared
Anomalies identified
Payment file exported to Accounts Payable
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

11. Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Baseline established
Oldest complete year of historical data
Fleet inventory data gathered
Miles travelled, fuel consumed by type
Emissions calculated using the Climate Registry’s guidelines
Utility consumption from Utility Management System
Light rail electricity consumption
Facility utilities: natural gas, propane, electricity
Emissions calculated based on the Climate Registry’s guidelines
Emissions credits
Calculated for light rail and revenue bus fleet using passenger miles travelled and fuel economy of an average passenger car
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

12. Attaining APTA Sustainability Commitment Recognition Levels
VTA achieved GOLD Level recognition in May 2016
Baseline and current year data gathered
Utility data from Utility Management System
Vehicle and fuel data from Greenhouse Gas Report
Normalized by passenger miles travelled
Data recorded by Operation Analysis Department
Action items and stretch goals
Projects, achievements, and benchmarks gathered from Annual Sustainability Reports
July 25, 2016
Mott MacDonald | Harnessing the Power of Information to Build Your Sustainability Program

13. Thank you