PILOT PROJECT REPORT

VERSION 1.0.1

US 97: LAVA BUTTE S. CENTURY DRIVE SECTION

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Prepared by
Maleena Scarsella
July 2010

Contents

Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................1
ProjectDescription........................................................................................................................................................1
ResourcesConsulted.....................................................................................................................................................4
PilotProjectSummary...................................................................................................................................................5
CreditDiscussionbyCategory.......................................................................................................................................7
ProjectRequirements(PR).......................................................................................................................................7
PR1EnvironmentalReviewProcess..................................................................................................................7
PR2LifecycleCostAnalysis(LCCA)....................................................................................................................7
PR3LifecycleInventory(LCI).............................................................................................................................8
PR4QualityControlPlan...................................................................................................................................8
PR5NoiseMitigationPlan.................................................................................................................................8
PR6WasteManagementPlan..........................................................................................................................9
PR7PollutionPreventionPlan..........................................................................................................................9
PR8LowImpactDevelopment(LID).................................................................................................................9
PR9PavementManagementProgram............................................................................................................10
PR10SiteMaintenancePlan...........................................................................................................................10
PR11EducationalOutreach............................................................................................................................11
Environment&Water(EW)...................................................................................................................................12
EW1EnvironmentalManagementSystem.....................................................................................................12
EW2RunoffFlowControl................................................................................................................................12
EW3RunoffQuality.........................................................................................................................................13
EW4StormwaterCostAnalysis.......................................................................................................................13
EW5SiteVegetation.......................................................................................................................................13
EW6HabitatRestoration................................................................................................................................14
EW7EcologicalConnectivity...........................................................................................................................14
EW8LightPollution.........................................................................................................................................16
Access&Equity(AE)..............................................................................................................................................16
AE1SafetyAudit..............................................................................................................................................16
AE2IntelligentTransportationSystems..........................................................................................................17
AE3ContextSensitiveSolutions.....................................................................................................................17
AE4TrafficEmissionsReduction.....................................................................................................................18
AE5PedestrianAccess....................................................................................................................................18
AE6BicycleAccess..........................................................................................................................................18
AE7TransitandHOVAccess...........................................................................................................................19
AE8ScenicViews.............................................................................................................................................19

AE9CulturalOutreach....................................................................................................................................20
ConstructionActivities(CA)...................................................................................................................................21
CA1QualityManagementSystem..................................................................................................................21
CA2EnvironmentalTraining...........................................................................................................................21
CA3SiteRecyclingPlan...................................................................................................................................21
CA4FossilFuelReduction...............................................................................................................................22
CA5EquipmentEmissionReduction...............................................................................................................22
CA6PavingEmissionReduction......................................................................................................................22
CA7WaterUseTracking.................................................................................................................................22
CA8ContractorWarranty...............................................................................................................................23
Materials&Resources(MR)..................................................................................................................................23
MR1LifecycleAssessment(LCA).....................................................................................................................23
MR2PavementReuse.....................................................................................................................................23
MR3EarthworkBalance..................................................................................................................................24
MR4RecycledMaterials.................................................................................................................................24
MR5RegionalMaterials..................................................................................................................................25
MR6EnergyEfficiency.....................................................................................................................................25
PavementTechnologies(PT)..................................................................................................................................26
PT1LongLifePavement..................................................................................................................................26
PT2PermeablePavement...............................................................................................................................26
PT3WarmMixAsphalt...................................................................................................................................26
PT4CoolPavement.........................................................................................................................................27
PT5QuietPavement.......................................................................................................................................27
PT6PavementPerformanceTracking.............................................................................................................27
PotentialCustomCredits.......................................................................................................................................28
Recommendations.......................................................................................................................................................30
Limitations...................................................................................................................................................................31

Figures
Figure1:LocationMap..................................................................................................................................................2
Figure2:ProjectSiteMap.............................................................................................................................................3
Figure3GreenroadsScorecard.....................................................................................................................................6
Figure4EducationalOutreach....................................................................................................................................11
Figure5EcologicalConnectivity.................................................................................................................................15
Figure6ScenicViews...................................................................................................................................................20
Figure7VegetationReuse...........................................................................................................................................28
Figure8HabitatCreation............................................................................................................................................29
Figure9AestheticFeatures.........................................................................................................................................29
FigureA.10.RelativeWeightsofGreenroadsVCCategories(Muenchetal.2010)......................................................3

Tables
Table1:SummaryofPilotProjectResults.....................................................................................................................5
Table2:ProjectRequirementsCategory.......................................................................................................................7
Table3:Environment&WaterVoluntaryCreditCategory.........................................................................................12
Table4:Access&EquityVoluntaryCreditCategory...................................................................................................16
Table5:ConstructionActivitiesVoluntaryCreditCategory........................................................................................21
Table6:Materials&ResourcesVoluntaryCreditCategory........................................................................................23
Table7:PavementTechnologiesVoluntaryCreditCategory......................................................................................26
Table8:PotentialCustomCredits...............................................................................................................................28

Appendices
AppendixA:AbouttheGreenroadsRatingSystem
AppendixB:PilotprojectMethod
AppendixC:ProjectCalculations

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US97: Lava Butte S. Century Drive Section

INTRODUCTION
ThisreportreflectstheresultsoftheGreenroadsPilotProjectfortheUS97:LavaButteS.CenturyDriveSection
ProjectfortheOregonDepartofTransportation(ODOT).TheresultsarepresentedusingtheGreenroadsProgress
Scorecardsupplementedbyadetailedcreditbycreditdiscussion.Recommendationsarealsoincludedforapplying
theGreenroadssustainabilityperformancemetrictotheproject.
PreparationofthePilotProjectinvolvedareviewofprojectdocuments,interviewswithprojectcontacts,anda
sitevisit.ForalistofresourcesusedtopreparethePilotProjectReport,refertotheResourcesConsultedsection.
Thefollowingsectionprovidesabriefprojectdescription.AdetaileddescriptionoftheGreenroadsRatingSystem
canbefoundinAppendixA,includingashortlistofGreenroadsProjectRequirements(PR)andVoluntaryCredits
(VC)forreference.AdescriptionofthePilotProjectmethodologyisprovidedinAppendixB,andsupporting
calculationsforcreditsearnedareprovidedinAppendixC.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
TheprojectwaslocatedincentralOregonalongUS97,themainnorthsouthcorridorontheeastsideofthe
CascadeRange.TheprojectsitewaslimitedtothesectionofUS97betweenLavaButte(MP149.24)andSouth
CenturyDrive(approximateMP153.05),andabufferareaadjacenttotheroadway.Theprojectarearesided
entirelywithintheDeschutesNationalForestmanagedbytheUSForestService(USFS),andthenorthhalfofthe
projectareawasintheNewberryNationalVolcanicMonument.
TheprojectwasneededbecausethehighwayandroadwayapproachestoUS97intheprojectareadidnotmeet
trafficoperationsandsafetyneeds.TheexistinglaneconfigurationofUS97didnotprovideforadequatecapacity
forexistingandforecasttraveldemand,norweretheresafewaystoaccessandexitthehighwayatseveralkey
locationsintheprojectarea,includingtheLavaLandsVisitorCenter,LavaRiverCaveandCottonwoodRoad.The
projectaveragedailytraffic(ADT)volumeonUS97northofCottonwoodRoadwas19,200in2005,andwas
forecastedtoincreaseto32,680bytheyear2028.SouthofCottonwoodRoad,the2005ADTwas15,600in2005
andwasforecastedtoincreaseto28,640byyear2028.
TheUS97:LavaButteS.CenturyDriveSectionProjectaddressedtrafficoperationsandsafetyneedsby:

Increasingthecapacityoftheexistingtwoandthreelanehighwaytofourlanes(twoineachdirection)

Separatingnorthboundandsouthboundtrafficwithaforestedmedianofuptoanapproximatemaximum
of108feetinwidth

ReconstructingtheCottonwoodRoadinterchangeintoafulldiamondinterchange(onandofframpsin
bothdirections)

ConstructingalternativeaccesstoLavaLandsVisitorsCenterandLavaRiverCaveviaCrawfordRoadand
CottonwoodRoad

Constructingroadwayshouldersthatwillaccommodatebicyclists

BuildingtwostructuresandfencingtoaccommodatewildlifepassageunderUS97

Thethreeyear,$16millioncontractwasawardedtoKnifeRiverCorporationNorthwest.Constructionbeganin
June2009andisexpectedtobecompletedinNovember2011.

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Figure1:LocationMap
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Figure2:ProjectSiteMap

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RESOURCES CONSULTED
ThefollowingresourceswereusedtopreparethePilotProject.

Berrin,Larry.DirectorofConservationEducation.NewberryNationalVolcanicMonument.Interview.
July2010.

BiologicalEvaluation:US97:LavaButteS.CenturyDiveSection.DavidEvansandAssociates,Inc.March
2008.

Coplantz,John.PavementManagementEngineer.OregonDepartmentofTransportation.Email
correspondence.April2010.

Cornell,Lyn.ResearchCoordinator.OregonDepartmentofTransportation.Interview.AprilJuly2010.

Davenport,Jay,P.E.AssistantConstructionManager.OregonDepartmentofTransportation.Interview.
July2010.

Davis,Ron.ConstructionForeman.KnifeRiverCorporation.Interview.July2010.

FinalNoiseTechnicalReport:US97:LavaButteS.CenturyDiveSection.HDREngineering,Inc.March
2008.

Jacobson,Sandra.WildlifeBiologist.USDAForestService.PacificSouthwestResearchStation.Email
correspondence.April2010.

Kittrell,Ken.DeschutesNationalForestTransportationEngineer.USDAForestService.Email
correspondence.April2010.

OregonStandardSpecificationsforConstruction,Volume1and2.OregonDepartmentofTransportation.
2008.

RevisedEnvironmentalAssessment:US97:LavaButteS.CenturyDiveSection.OregonDepartmentof
Transportation.U.S.DepartmentofTransportationFederalHighwayAdministration.December2008.

Serpico,Stephanie,P.E.Region4InterimProgramManager.OregonDepartmentofTransportation.
Interview.AprilJuly2010.

SiteVisit.ConductedbyMaleenaScarsella.July15,2010.

US97:LavaButteS.CenturyDiveSectionSpecialProvisions.OregonDepartmentofTransportation.
2009.

US97:LavaButteS.CenturyDiveSectionContractandBonds.OregonDepartmentofTransportation.
AwardedJune2009.

US97:LavaButteS.CenturyDiveSectionPlansforProposedProject.OregonDepartmentof
Transportation.May2009.

WaterQualityTechnicalMemorandum:US97:LavaButteS.CenturyDiveSection.DavidEvansand
Associates,Inc.January2008.

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ProjectWebsite:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION4/US97_Lava_Butte_South_Century_Drive/US97LavaButte_
SouthCenturyDrive.shtml

Weblocationofphotos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/102477297602201918671/ODOTCaseStudy2010SR97LavaButte?authkey=G
v1sRgCPTZp6SXxLnXBA&feat=directlink

PILOT PROJECT SUMMARY

Projectrequirements.TheUS97:LavaButteS.CenturyDriveSectionProjectmet8ofthe11GreenroadsProject
Requirements(PR).InordertoachievealevelofcertificationinGreenroads,all11ProjectRequirementsmustbe
completedanddocumented.
Achievedscore.Thirtynine(39)ofthe108possiblevoluntarycreditswereearned,andanadditionalseven(7)
pointswereawardedforfournewproposedcustomcredits,bringingthetotalnumberofcreditsachievedto46of
118possible.ThisiswouldqualifytheprojectforaSilverratingifallProjectRequirementsweremet.Pointsthat
wereachievedareshownintheAcolumninFigure3.
Potentialscore.Someofthepointsnotachievedcanbe(couldhavebeen)achievedwithrelativelylowadditional
effortinthebestjudgmentofthereviewer.Thisdoesnotmeanthattheprojectteamshouldhaveachievedthose
points.Ratheritmeansthatthesepointsmightbeconsideredattainableonfutureprojectsormightstillbe
attainableontheprojectreviewedhere.Thesepointscantypicallybeearnedwithadditionalpersonhours
dedicatedtocompletingpaperwork,formsorcalculations.Theywouldlikelyincuradditionalcostsassociatedwith
personhoursexpended,buttheywouldlikelynotraisetheprojectsconstructionbidprice.Thepotentialscorefor
thisprojectis55,andthecorrespondingcertificationlevelisGold.Pointsthatcanbeachievedwithrelativelylow
additionaleffortareshowninthePcolumninFigure3.
Maximumpossiblescore.Themaximumpossiblescorereflectsthemaximumnumberofpointstheprojectcould
haveearnedeveniftheyincurgreaterinitialcostand/orlifecyclecost.Thisincludesallcreditsexceptingthose
thatarenotreasonabletoincludegivenprojectscopeandintent.Achievingthemaximumpossiblescorewould
likelyincuraddedexpensebothinpersonhoursandbidpriceforinitialcost,butmanyitemsmaystillresultina
lowerlifecyclecost.Themaximumpotentialscoreforthisprojectis98,andthecorrespondingcertificationlevel
isEvergreen.
Table1summarizestheresultsofthisGreenroadsCaseStudy.
Figure3istheGreenroadsScorecardforthisproject.
Table1:SummaryofPilotProjectResults
ProjectName

US97: LavaButte S.CenturyDriveSection

ProjectRequirementsMet(of11Total)
VoluntaryCreditPointsEarned(of108Total)
CustomCreditsIdentified
Comments
AchievedScore
AchievedCertification
PotentialScore
PotentialCertification
MaximumPossibleScore
MaximumPossibleCertification

8
39
7
PRsIncomplete
46
Silver(ifPRswerecompleted)
55
Gold
98
Evergreen

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Figure3GreenroadsScorecard
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CREDIT DISCUSSION BY CATEGORY

ThissectioncontainsadetailedreviewofcreditsawardedandnotawardedtotheUS97:LavaButteS.Century
DriveSection.Creditintentwillnotbediscussed,andthereaderisreferredtoAppendixAforthesedetails.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS (PR)

Thisprojectmet8of11ProjectRequirements.TheseareoutlinedinTable2.
Table2:ProjectRequirementsCategory
RequirementsMet
RequirementsNotMet
No.

Title
No.
Title
PR1 EnvironmentalReviewProcess*
PR3
LifecycleInventory(LCI)
PR2 LifecycleCostAnalysis(LCCA)*
PR5
NoiseMitigationPlan
PR4 QualityControlPlan*
PR6
WasteManagementPlan
PR7 PollutionPreventionPlan*
PR8 LowImpactDevelopment(LID)*
PR9 PavementMaintenancePlan*
PR10 SiteMaintenancePlan*
PR11 EducationalOutreach
*DenotesreferenceinStandardSpecifications,orinstitutionalbestpractice.
PR-1 Environmental Review Process
DETAILS
TheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)evaluatedtheEnvironmentalAssessmentandRevisedEnvironmental
Assessmentandfoundthemtoadequatelydiscusstheneed,environmentalissues,impactsoftheproject,and
appropriatemitigationmeasures.TheFHWAdeterminedthatanenvironmentalimpactstatementwasnot
requiredandissuedaFindingsofNoSignificantImpact(FONSI)inDecember2008.
RATIONALE
ThisprojectcompletedtheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)processbecauseitinvolvedfederalfunding.
COST
ThecostofpreparingtheEnvironmentalAssessmentwas$625,000.
BENEFIT
TheEnvironmentalAssessmentcombinedtheanalysisoftheimpactsandbenefitsoftheprojectwithinputfrom
thepublicandjurisdictionalagencies.Itallowedthebestcourseofactiontobedevelopedbasedonitsabilityto
bestaccomplishtheobjectiveswhilealsocarefullyfocusingonavoidance,minimizationofimpacts,andmitigation.
PR-2 Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)
DETAILS
APavementLifecycleCostAnalysiswaspreparedforthisproject.
RATIONALE
AccordingtotheODOTPavementDesignGuide,LCCAfornewpavementconstructionshallbeconductedon
projectswheremorethanonemileofnewroadbedwillbeconstructed,andtheresultsshallbeusedasatoolto
selectappropriatepavementdesignstrategies.Forrehabilitationofexistingpavements,LCCAmustbeconducted
wheremajorrehabilitationisnecessary,whereoptionsofdifferentlifeexpectanciesarebeingconsidered,and
whenconsideringpavementdesignstrategieswithstructurallifelessthantheminimumstandardof15years.

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PR-3 Lifecycle Inventory (LCI)

DETAILS
ThisPRwasnotcompletedbytheprojectteam.AspartofthisPilotProject,thereviewerpreparedanLCIusing
thePaLATEtool.Resultsindicatedthatoverthelifeoftheproject,initialconstructionandmaintenanceactivities
(assumedtobea2inchmillandfillevery15years)willuseapproximately57,300GJofenergyandproduce4.74
millionkgofcarbondioxideequivalents.
RATIONALE
AnLCIwasnotpreparedbytheprojectteambecausethisisnotastandardpracticeforODOTprojects.However,
futureODOTprojectscouldachievethisPRwithlowadditionaleffortbecausethePaLATEtoolcanbeusedbya
memberoftheprojectteamtoprepareanLCIinlessthanonehour.
PR-4 Quality Control Plan
DETAILS
QualityControl(QC)Planswerepreparedfordesignandconstruction.Theprojectdocumentsspecifiedvarious
formsofqualitycontrolforworkperformed.TheconstructioncontractorpreparedaQCPlanformaterialstesting,
asrequiredbythecontractwithODOT.
RATIONALE
AspartofODOTstandardpractice,theagencyrequiredthecontractortoprepareaQCPlanthatfollowed
establishedpolicies,suchasthoseintheODOTManualofFieldTestingProcedures.
COST
ThecostfordesignerstoprepareQCPlanswasapproximately$1,000to$2,000.Thecostforthecontractorto
preparetheQCPlanformaterialswas$1,000.
BENEFIT
TheQCPlansensuredthatdesignandregulatoryrequirementsweremet.
PR-5 Noise Mitigation Plan
DETAILS
ThisPRwasnotcompletedbecauseaformalNoiseMitigationPlan(NMP)wasnotpreparedaccordingtothe
requirementsintheGreenroadsManual.
RATIONALE
ODOToutlinedprojectspecificnoisemitigationproceduresintheFinalNoiseTechnicalReportandincorporated
theseproceduresintheprojectspecifications.Forexample,wildlifeconcernsledtorestrictionsonwhendrilling
andblastingactivitiescouldbeperformed.ItisstandardpracticeforODOTtoprepareNoiseTechnicalReports
whendeemednecessaryandtoincorporateallnoisemitigationproceduresintotheprojectspecifications.
Theconstructioncontractor(includingsubcontractors)followedthenoisemitigationproceduresincludedinthe
projectdocuments,butdidnotprepareaformalNMP.FormalNMPsarenotpartofthecontractorsstandard
practice,sofutureODOTprojectscanachievethisPRbyincludinganNMPrequirementaspartoftheproject
contract.
ThisPRcouldhavebeenaccomplishedwithminimaladditionaleffort,aswritingtherequirementintotheproject
contractandwritingtheNMPrequireverylittletimeandeffort.

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PR-6 Waste Management Plan

DETAILS
ThisPRwasnotcompletedbecauseaformalConstructionandDemolitionWasteManagementPlan(CWMP)was
notpreparedaccordingtotherequirementsintheGreenroadsManual.
RATIONALE
Wastemanagementmeasureswereincludedinthecontractdocuments,asODOThasnumerouspoliciesand
proceduresforhandlingwastematerials.Howeverthisprojectrequirementwasnotmetbecausethecontractor
wasnotrequiredtoprepareaformalCWMP.FormalCWMPsarenotpartofthecontractorsstandardpractice,
sofutureODOTprojectscanachievethisPRbyincludingaCWMPrequirementaspartoftheprojectcontract.
ThisPRcouldhavebeenaccomplishedwithminimaladditionaleffort,aswritingtherequirementintotheproject
contractandwritingtheCWMPwouldhaverequiredverylittletimeandeffort.
PR-7 Pollution Prevention Plan
DETAILS
ThisPRwascompleted.TheTemporaryErosionandSedimentationControlprocedureswereincludedinthe
projectdocuments.
RATIONALE
TemporaryErosionandSedimentationControlproceduresarerequiredforallODOTprojectsthatarenotdeemed
exempt.
COST
ThecostofproducingtheTemporaryErosionandSedimentationControlwas$515.
BENEFIT
TheTemporaryErosionandSedimentationControlprocedureswereusedtominimizetheeffectsofpollution
associatedwiththeconstructionofthisproject.
PR-8 Low-Impact Development (LID)
DETAILS
ThisPRwascompleted.AlthoughaLIDhydrologicevaluationwasnotprovidedbytheprojectteam,itis
reasonabletoassumethatanevaluationwasperformedbecauseODOTpoliciesencouragetheuseoflowimpact
development(LID).
RATIONALE
ThisPRwasachievedbecauseODOTvoluntarilyemphasizesthevalueofLIDforitsprojects.Moreinformation
aboutODOTsLIDpractices,includingcasestudiesandcostinformation,canbefoundat
http://www.oeconline.org/ourwork/rivers/stormwater/lowimpactdevelopment/lidpractices.
COST
ThecostofachievingthisPRcouldnotbeextracted.
BENEFIT
AccordingtotheFactSheetaboutLIDforOregon,LIDprovidesthefollowingbenefits:
Fortheenvironment
Protectswaterquality
Maintainsnaturalstreamflowsinrivers,creeksandwetlands
Providesandprotectsfishandwildlifehabitat
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Improvesairquality
Maintainssoilquality
Fordevelopers
Moreattractive,sustainableneighborhoodsthatsellfasterandforapremium
Reducesstormwaterutilityfees
Reducesthecostofclearing,excavation,compaction,erosioncontrol,andinfrastructureconstruction
Canprovidemorebuildablelotsbydistributingstormwatermanagementaroundthesiteinsmall
facilitiesinsteadofbuildingasinglelargedetentionpond
Forcommunities
Helpspreventfloodingandreducesthecostofassociateddamage
Helpsmaintaincleandrinkingwatersupplies
Canlowercostofstreets,curbs,guttersandotherinfrastructure
Increasestheaestheticsofneighborhoods
Reduceslongtermmaintenancecosts
Foragencies
Helpsmeetregulatoryrequirements,includingtheFederalCleanWaterAct(MS4permitsandTMDL
plans),EndangeredSpeciesAct,SafeDrinkingWaterAct,andstatelanduseplanninggoals5and6

PR-9 Pavement Management Program

DETAILS
TheODOTConstructionSectionoperatesaPavementManagementSystem(PMS)throughitsPavementServices
Unit.PavementManagementReportsarepreparedeverytwoyearsandmadeavailableontheODOTwebsite
(http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/CONSTRUCTION/pavement_management_sys.shtml).Thewebsitealso
providespublicaccesstoPavementConditionandRemainingServiceLifeSpreadsheets,whichrecordwhen
preservationeffortsoccur.
RATIONALE
ODOThaschosentousethePavementManagementSystemforallmainlinestatehighwaysunderitsjurisdiction.
COST
BasedonthebudgetforPMSandthenumberoflanemilesinthesystem,thesystemcostsapproximately$25per
lanemileperyeartooperate.Thereforeafterconstruction,PMSforthisprojectareawillcostapproximately$400
peryear.
BENEFIT
ThePavementManagementSystemprovidesdecisionmakerswithinformationnecessarytofindcosteffective
strategiesforproviding,evaluating,andmaintainingpavementsinaserviceablecondition.
PR-10 Site Maintenance Plan
DETAILS
MaintenanceresponsibilityforthissiteissharedamongtheForestService,DeschutesCounty,OregonDepartment
ofFishandWildlife,andODOTaccordingtotheIntergovernmentalAgreementMaintenanceAgreement.The
Agreementspecifiestheareasoftheprojectthateachagencyisresponsibleforanddesignatesaprimarycontact
formaintenance.
RATIONALE
PreparingIntergovernmentalAgreementMaintenanceAgreementsandplanningthemaintenanceofroad
constructionprojectsisstandardpracticeforODOT.
COST

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CostinformationforthisPRcouldnotbeextractedbecause,forthemostpart,maintenancewillbeperformedas
needed.Thecostwillbequitevariablefromyeartoyearandwilldependheavilyontheweatherconditionseach
season.
BENEFIT
ThisprojectwillbenefitfromthesharedresponsibilityamongtheForestService,DeshutesCounty,Oregon
DepartmentofFishandWildlife,andODOTbecausemaintenancewillbeperformedbytheagencythathasthe
mostexperiencewitheachtypeofwork.Eachagencywillalsobenefitfromtheagreementbecauseitwillshare
thecostofmaintenancewiththeotheragencies.
PR-11 Educational Outreach
DETAILS
Theprojectinvolvedatleastthefollowingthreeeducationalelements:
1.

ApointofinterestkioskattheLavaLandsVisitorCenterdisplaysinformationabouttheproject.

2.

Theinformationalprojectwebsiteallowsthepublictosubmitfeedbackandcomments.Thewebsitecan
beaccessedat
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION4/US97_Lava_Butte_South_Century_Drive/US97LavaButte_
SouthCenturyDrive.shtml.

3.

TheprojectisdocumentedwiththisGreenroadsPilotProject.

RATIONALE
ODOTofferedthepointofinterestkioskandthewebsite
voluntarilybecausetheprojectteambelievedthatitwas
importantforthepublictobeawareofthisproject.The
projectofferedauniqueeducationalopportunitybecauseit
waslocatedintheNewberryNationalVolcanicMonumentand
includedtheLavaLandsVisitorCenter,wherethousandsof
peoplecomeeachyeartolearnmoreaboutthesurrounding
area.ODOTwantedtotakeadvantageofthisopportunityto
teachpeopleabouttheimpactroadwayshaveonthe
environmentandhowtheimpactcanbereducedwithfeatures
suchasthewildlifeundercrossings.Aftertheprojectis
completed,theForestServiceplanstoinstallapermanent
exhibitatthevisitorcenterthatwillincludephotographs,
videofootage,andeducationalmaterialaboutthewildlife
undercrossings.
ODOTalsovoluntarilypursuededucationoutreachbyusingthis
Figure4 EducationalOutreach
projectforaGreenroadsPilotProject.Thisdecisionreflected
ODOTsdesiretofurtheritssustainabilitygoalsandlearnabout SignsattheLavaLandsVisitorCenterexplainthe
importanceofwildlifeundercrossings.
howitcanevaluatethesustainablefeaturesofitsroadway
projects.
COST
Thecostofprovidingapointofinterestkioskandaninformationalwebsitewasapproximately$20,000.
ThecostofhavingthisPilotProjectReportpreparedwasapproximately$25,000.Thiscostwasnotassociated
withtheprojectbudget,however,asthefundscamefromtheODOTresearchbudget.Thiscostmustalsoinclude
acaveatbecauseitisanapproximateestimateofthecostfortheUniversityofWashingtonresearchteamto
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reviewprojectdocuments,performasitevisit,andpreparethisreport.Ifthisprojecthadappliedforcertification,
theprojectteamwouldhavecollectedthedocumentationandperformedthenecessarycalculations.Thiswould
haveshiftedthecostburdenfromtheUniversityofWashingtontotheprojectteam,buttheadditionalcostwould
beexpectedtobemuchlessthan$25,000.
BENEFIT
Thepublicbenefittedfromopportunitiestolearnmoreabouttheprojectthroughthepointofinterestkioskand
aninformationalwebsite.Peoplelearnedabouttheenvironmentalimpactsoftheprojectandstayedinformed
abouttheprogressofconstructionactivities.
ODOTalsobenefittedfromtheeducationaloutreachfeaturesbecauseitusedthekioskandwebsitetoforma
relationshipwiththepublic,toreceivepublicinput,andtogeneratepositivepublicityfortheproject.

ENVIRONMENT & WATER (EW)

Thisprojectearned6ofthe21pointsavailableinthiscategory.Thepointswereawardedforusingnoninvasive,
nativeplantsthatdonotrequireirrigationaftertheplantestablishmentperiod,andforimplementingtwowildlife
crossings.ThecreditsearnedinthiscategoryareoutlinedinTable3.
Table3:Environment&WaterVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
No.

Title
No.
EW5 SiteVegetation
EW1
EW7 EcologicalConnectivity
EW2

EW3

EW4

EW6

EW8

CreditsNotEarned
Title
EnvironmentalManagementSystem
RunoffQuantity
RunoffQuality
StormwaterCostAnalysis
HabitatRestoration
LightPollution

EW-1 Environmental Management System

DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Thegeneralcontractor,KnifeRiverCorporation,doesnothaveaformalenvironmentalmanagementprocess.The
projectsuperintendentremarkedthatwhileenvironmentalconcernswereafocusofthisproject,KnifeRiverdoes
nothaveacompanywideenvironmentalpolicy.
Thisprojectcouldhaveachievedthiscredit,butitwouldhavedependedonasignificanteffortfromthegeneral
contractortoimplementacompanywideenvironmentalmanagementsystem.
EW-2 Runoff Flow Control
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.Priortoconstruction,themeanstormflowwas0.68ft3/secandthemeanstorm
volumewas59,198ft3.Afterconstruction,themeanstormflowwas1.40ft3/secandthemeanstormvolumewas
121,898ft3.Predevelopmentvaluesweretherefore49%ofpostconstructionvalues.Thispercentagemustbeat
least80%toearnpointsforEW2RunoffFlowControlaccordingtotheGreenroadsManual.
RATIONALE
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Thehydraulicanalysisforthisprojectdeterminedthatrunoffflowcontrolfacilitieswerenotnecessaryaccording
toODOTstormwatercontrolpolicies.Thesoilintheprojectareaisaveryporousvolcanicmaterial,whichdrains
readily.
Theprojectcouldhaveachievedthiscredit,butitwouldhaverequiredasignificantincreaseinprojectcostto
designandconstructrunoffflowcontrolfacilities.
EW-3 Runoff Quality
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Asstatedabove,thehydraulicanalysisdeterminedthatrunoffflowcontrolfacilitieswerenotnecessaryforthis
project.Therefore,thisprojectdidnotincluderunoffflowcontrolfacilitiestotreatstormwater.
Theprojectcouldhaveachievedthiscredit,butitwouldhaverequiredasignificantincreaseinprojectcostto
designandconstructrunoffflowcontrolfacilities.
EW-4 Stormwater Cost Analysis
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
TherewasnoneedtoprepareaStormwaterCostAnalysisforthisprojectbecause,asstatedabove,thehydraulic
analysisdeterminedthatnorunoffflowcontrolfacilitieswerenecessary.ODOTsstandardpracticeistopreparea
StormwaterCostAnalysisonlywhenthelocationoftheprojectgivesrisetomultiplestormwaterutilityoptions.
TheprojectcouldhaveachievedthiscreditwithlowadditionaleffortbecausethisVCdoesnotrequiretheuseof
runoffflowcontrolfacilities,butratheracomparisonofpotentialcosts.
EW-5 Site Vegetation
DETAILS
Theprojectwasawardedthreepointsforusingnoninvasiveplantspeciesonly,notusingirrigationaftertheplant
establishmentperiod,andusingnativeplantspeciesonly.
RATIONALE
PlantspecieswerechosentomeetUSDAForestServiceguidelinesontheavoidanceofnoxiousweedspeciesand
theuseofnativespecies.
COST
TheForestServicedevelopedarevegetationplan,collectedandpurchasedplants,providedlaborandinstallation
toimplementtherevegationplan,andagreedtoperformmonitoringforone,threeandfiveyears.Forthese
services,ODOTpaidtheForestServiceapproximately$500,000.
BENEFIT
InadditiontomeetingForestServiceguidelinesandavoidingcausingfuturenoxiousweedissues,thevegetation
onthisprojectpromotedaestheticandwildlifeconnectivitygoals.Theuseofnativeplantspecieswasinlinewith
aestheticgoalsbecausetheyhelpedpreservethenaturallookofthenationalmonument.Vegetationwasplanted
undertheunderpassestoprovideamorenaturalfeelingforlargeanimalsandhidingcoverforsmalleranimals
usingthestructure.AccordingtoSandraJacobson,awildlifebiologistfortheForestService,thevegetationplan

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alsorepresentsasteptowardslearninghowtocreateecosystemprocesspassagesthatfunctiontoconnect
processesaswellaswildlifemovement.
EW-6 Habitat Restoration
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.

RATIONALE
ThiscreditrequirestheIndexofBiologicalIntegrity(IBI),whichcharacterizesthebiologicalfunctionalityofawater
body.TheIBIcouldnotbedeterminedforthisprojectbecausetheareadoesnotincludeawaterbody.
TheoffsitehabitatimprovementgoalforthisVCwasaddressedbecauseODOTandtheForestServiceworked
togethertotreat28.33milesofunwantedroadsinadjacentareasoftheDeschutesNationalForest.Ofthis,14.95
mileswereclosed,decompacted,andrevegetatedand13.38mileswereclosedandallowedtorevegetate
naturally.TheseroadswereidentifiedpriortothisprojectbytheDeschutesNationalForestas
beinginexcessoftravelneeds,andthethisprojectprovidedagoodopportunitytoclosethem.Thisrepresentsan
areaofroughly55acresrestored,comparedtoroughly25acresofnewlydisturbedsurfaceforthisproject.This
restorationactivitydoesnot,however,meetalloftherequirementsoftheHabitatRestorationCredit.
FutureversionsoftheGreenroadsManualshouldconsideraddressingthisproblembyallowingallprojectsto
achievethiscreditregardlessofwhethertheareaincludesawaterbody.
COST
Theestimatedcostofclosingtheunwantedroadsis$78,700.
BENEFIT
ByclosingtheunwantedroadsintheDeschutesNationalForest,theagencieshopetomitigatetheamountof
habitatlosscausedbythisproject.Theincreasedwildlifehabitatareaisalsoexpectedtoincreasethe
effectivenessofthewildlifeunderpasses.
EW-7 Ecological Connectivity
DETAILS
Threepointswereawardedforthiscredit.Thisprojectinvolvedinstallationoftwosetsofnewwildlifecrossing
structuresandprotectivefencing.Thewildlifecrossingstructureswereprimarilydesignedfordeer,buttheywill
alsolikelyprovideconnectivityforspeciessuchascoyote,bobcat,cougar,elk,andsmalleranimalssuchasbadger,
fox,wolverine,marten,andothers.

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Figure5EcologicalConnectivity
Thisundercrossing(shownunderconstruction)wasdesignedfortheexclusiveuseofwildlife.

RATIONALE
InaccordancewiththeUSDAForestServicesmandatetomaintainviabilityofwildlifespecies,thewildlifecrossing
structureandfencingwerechosentoprovideamitigationmeasuretohelprestoremigratorymuledeerherd
accesstowinterrangeandalsoreducevehiclecollisions.Additionally,becausetheforestserviceismandatedto
manageallspecies,thestructuresweredesignedtobeeffectiveforallwildlifeinthearea.
COST
Eachwildlifecrossingconsistedoffencingandtwostructures,oneundereachsideofthehighway.Thesouthern
crossingwasdesignedexclusivelyforusebywildlife.Constructioncostsforthispairofstructurestotaled
approximately$1.1million.
Thenorthernunderpasswasoriginallydesignedtoprovidesafepedestrian,bicycle,andvehicleaccesstotheLava
LandsVisitorCenterduringthesummer.ODOTandtheForestServicelaterdecidedtomodifythedesignto
provideanotherpurpose,toallowwildlifetocrossthehighwaysafelyandundisturbedwhentherearenopeople
present(whichisalldayduringwintermonthswhentheVisitorCenterisclose).Thebridgestructureswere
designedlargertoallowmorespaceforanimalstowalkthroughtheunpavedarea,andmorewildlifefenceswere
addedtoguideanimalstotheundercrossing.Therefore,thetotalconstructioncostsforthestructurescannotbe
attributedtoecologicalconnectivityalone.Thetotalcostofthefencingandstructuresisapproximately$2.5
million.Theprojectdesignersestimatedthat20%ofthiscost,or$500,000,canbeconsideredtheadditionalcost
ofaddingthewildlifecrossingfunctiontothefeature.
Inaddition,ODOTisresponsibleforthecostofoperatingandmaintainingofthewildlifefence,upto$2,000inany
statefiscalyear.
BENEFIT
Thelandmanagementagenciesarehopefulthatthecrossingstructuresandfencingwillenabletheremaining
migratorymuledeertorestoretheirtraditionalaccesstowinterrange,althoughthenumbershavebeen
dramaticallyreducedfromwildlife/vehiclecollisionsandotherfactors.Thestructureswillalsoenablemovement

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ofallotheranimalsintheareatocrossthehighwaysafely.Additionally,anyanimalsusingthestructureswillnot
beonthehighway,thereforetheriskofanimal/vehiclecollisionswillbereduced.
ODOTconductedacostbenefitanalysisofthestructuresandfoundthat$1.85ofbenefittotaxpayerswouldbe
achievedforevery$1.00spentonthemitigation.Thisconsideredpropertydamagealoneanddidnotconsiderthe
riskofhumaninjuryorfatality,nordiditconsiderthevalueofwildlife.Thus,thebenefitisactuallyavery
conservativeestimate.
EW-8 Light Pollution
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
NopointswereawardedforthiscreditbecausenoDarkSkycompliantlampswereused.Theprojectsitedidnot
involveexistinglighting,notwerenewlightingfixturesinstalled.Nolightingwasusedduringconstruction.The
decisiontoavoidusingilluminationwasbasedonprotectionofthenaturalhabitat.Iftheprojectwouldhave
includedalightingsystem,DarkSkycompliantlampswouldhavebeenusedaspartofODOTstandardpracticefor
aforestsetting.
ThisindicatesthatuseofnolightingmayaddresstheintentoftheLightPollutionCreditinthecontextofarural
roadproject.FuturerevisionsoftheGreenroadsManualshouldconsiderthismodification.

COST
Basedonthepreliminarylightingdesignthatwasultimatelyomitted,thedecisionnottouselightingreducedthe
projectbudgetby$200,000.
BENEFIT
Thechoicetonotuselightingreducedtheprojectbudgetandhelpedprotectthenaturalhabitforwildlife.

ACCESS & EQUITY (AE)

Thisprojectearned17ofthe30pointsavailableinthiscategory.Manyofthesepointsresultedfromusinga
ContextSensitiveSolutionsapproachtoprojectplanning.Thisapproachallowedtheprojectteamtoaddressthe
needsofvariousstakeholders,includingpedestriansandbicyclists.ThecreditsareoutlinedinTable4.
Table4:Access&EquityVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
No.

Title
AE2 IntelligentTransportationSystems
AE3 ContextSensitiveSolutions
AE4 TrafficEmissionsReduction
AE5 PedestrianAccess
AE6 BicycleAccess
AE8 ScenicViews

No.
AE1
AE7
AE9

CreditsNotEarned
Title
SafetyAudit
TransitandHOVAccess
CulturalOutreach

AE-1 Safety Audit

DETAILS
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Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
ODOTrecentlybeganconductingsafetyauditsonavoluntarybasisforselectprojects.Thereforethisprojectcould
potentiallyearnthiscredit,butonlywithasignificantamountofadditionaleffortfromODOTpersonnel.
AE-2 Intelligent Transportation Systems
DETAILS
Thisprojectearnedthreepointsforincludingintelligenttransportationsystem(ITS)applicationsfromthree
separatecategories:
1.

RoadWeatherManagement:ODOTsRoadWeatherInformationSystems(RWIS)usesensorsatweather
stationstomonitorweatherconditions.Theinformationisusedformakingwinterroadmaintenance
decisionsandissharedwiththepublicthroughTripCheck,Oregonswebsiteforroadconditions.

2.

InformationDissemination:Changeablemessagesignswereusedduringconstruction.HighwayAdvisory
Radio(HAR)disseminatesinformationaboutroadwayconditionsviaAMradiofrequenciestomotorists
enrouteonOregonshighways.

3.

TravelerInformation:TripCheck(http://www.tripcheck.com),TripCheckMobile,and511make
informationavailabletotravelersbeforetheirtripandenroute.

RATIONALE
ODOTvoluntarilyprovidesRWIS,TripCheck,HAR,and511asstatewideITSprograms.
COST
Thecostofprovidingchangeablemessagesignsduringconstructionwas$8,000.Costinformationfortherestof
thiscreditcouldnotbeextractedbecausetheseprogramsarestatewideandthecosttomaintainandrunthe
programvarieswiththetypeofroadwayandweatherconditions.
BENEFIT
ODOTmakesuseofITStoaddresstransportationproblemsandenhancethemovementofpeopleandgoods.
AE-3 Context Sensitive Solutions
DETAILS
ContextSensitiveDesignwaseffectivelyachievedaspartoftheEnvironmentalAssessment.Fivepointswere
awarded.
RATIONALE
TheEnvironmentalAssessmentwaspreparedaspartoftheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)process
becausetheprojectinvolvedfederalfunding.FromtheForestServicesperspective,ContextSensitiveSolution
principlesaresimilartotheUSDAForestServicesinterdisciplinaryprocessandpublicinvolvementprocess,soit
wasstandardoperatingprocedure.
COST
ThecostofcreatingaContextSensitiveDesigncouldnotbeextractedbecausethefocusoninterdisciplinarywork
andpublicinvolvementwaspartoftheoverallplanningprocess.
BENEFIT
TheContextSensitiveSolutionsapproachledtoaprojectdesignthataddressedtheneedsofmultipleparties,
includingODOT,theForestService,DeschutesCounty,theDepartmentofFishandWildlife,andthepublic.The
designalsoincorporatedtheneedformultiplemodesoftransportation,asdescribedinAE4andAE5below.
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AE-4 Traffic Emissions Reduction

DETAILS
Fivepointswereawardedforthiscredit.OregonHouseBill3543establishesthestatespoliciesforreducing
greenhouse(GHG)gasemissionstospecifiedgoals,whichincludeachievingGHGemissionreductionof10%below
1990levelsby2020.ThepoliciesapplytothetransportationsectorandrequiretheOregonGlobalWarming
Commissiontoincludeamemberwithsignificantexperienceintransportation.OregonsStateStandard
ExceedanceLevelsmandateCleanAirActcriteriapollutantstobeequaltoorlessthanthecurrentEnvironmental
ProtectionAgencys(EPA)designvalues.
RATIONALE
OregonHouseBill3543reflectsOregonGovernorKulongoskis(andpresumablyhisconstituents)concernwith
reducinggreenhousegasemissions.
COST
Thecostofachievingthiscreditcouldnotbeextractedbecauseitdependedonestablishingastatepolicy,which
wasnotdirectlylinkedtoprojectcosts.
AE-5 Pedestrian Access
DETAILS
OnepointwasawardedforprovidingpedestrianaccessviatheundercrossingfortheLavaLandsVisitorCenter.
Thisimprovementdidnotqualifyfortwopointsbecausetheundercrossingdidnotincludeasidewalkthatis
separatedfromtheroadway.

RATIONALE
TheundercrossingaddressedtheneedforasafermeansforpedestrianstocrossthehighwaytoaccesstheLava
LandsVisitorCenter.Itaccommodatesvehicles,nonmotorists,andwildlifewhenpeoplearenotpresent.
Inaddition,thenewshouldersconstructedintheprojectareaweredesignedwideenoughtoaccommodate
pedestrians,particularlyalongCottonwoodRoadandalongthenewaccessroad.Althoughthisdoesnotfitthe
requirementsofAE5PedestrianAccess,thisindicatesthatextrawideshouldersmayaddresstheintentofthe
creditinthecontextofaruralroadproject.FuturerevisionsoftheGreenroadsmanualshouldconsiderthis
modification.
COST
Theconstructioncostfortheundercrossing(whichincludesthreeovercrossingbridgestructuresbutnotthe
wildlifefencing)wasapproximately$2.09million.Itisimportanttonotethatthiscostcannotbeattributedto
pedestrianaccessonly,astheundercrossingalsoprovidesbicycleandwildlifeaccess.
BENEFIT
Thisundercrossingprovidedmanybenefits.Itaddressedoneoftheidentifiedgoalsoftheproject,whichwasto
providesaferpedestrianaccesstotheLavaLandsVisitorCenter.Inaddition,itprovidedbicycleaccessandwildlife
connectivity.MoreinformationaboutthesebenefitscanbefoundintheAE6BicycleAccessandEW7Ecological
Connectivitysections.
AE-6 Bicycle Access
DETAILS
OnepointwasawardedforprovidingbicycleaccessviatheundercrossingfortheLavaLandsVisitorCenter.This
improvementdidnotqualifyfortwopointsbecausetheundercrossingdidnotincludeabicycleonlyfacility.
RATIONALE
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ThiscreditissimilartothePedestrianAccessCreditdescribedabove.Theundercrossingaddressedtheneedfora
safermeansforbicycliststocrossthehighwaytoaccesstheLavaLandsVisitorCenter.Itaccommodatesvehicles,
nonmotorists,andwildlifewhenpeoplearenotpresent.
Inaddition,thenewshouldersconstructedintheprojectareaweredesignedwideenoughtoaccommodate
bicyclesbecauseimprovedsafetyforbicyclistswasidentifiedasoneoftheneedsforthisproject.Althoughthis
doesnotfittherequirementsofAE6BicycleAccess,thisindicatesthatextrawideshouldersmayaddressthe
intentoftheBicycleAccessCreditinthecontextofaruralroadproject.FuturerevisionsoftheGreenroads
manualshouldconsiderthismodification.
COST
Theconstructioncostfortheundercrossing(whichincludesthreeovercrossingbridgestructures)was
approximately$2.09million.Itisimportanttonotethatthiscostcannotbeattributedtobicycleaccessonly,as
theundercrossingalsoprovidespedestrianandwildlifeaccess.
BENEFIT
Asdescribedabove,theundercrossingprovidedmanybenefits.Itaddressedoneoftheidentifiedgoalsofthe
project,whichwastoprovidesaferbicyclistaccesstotheLavaLandsVisitorCenter.Inaddition,itprovided
pedestrianaccessandwildlifeconnectivity.
AE-7 Transit and HOV Access
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.

RATIONALE
ThisVCwasnotachievedbecausetransitandHOVaccesswerenotpracticaldesigngoalsforahighwayinarural
area.
AE-8 Scenic Views
DETAILS
Twopointswereawardedforthiscredit.ThesegmentofUS97involvedinthisprojectisnotadesignated
NationalByway.HoweveritisknownasaScenicCorridor,meaningthatitismanagedforforegroundscenicview
retentionundertheStandardsandGuidelinesoftheDeschutesNationalForestLandandResourceManagement
Plan.

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Figure6ScenicViews
Protectingthescenicviewwasaprimarydesigngoalforthisproject,
whichisshowninthebackgroundofthisphotograph.

RATIONALE
ThissegmentofUS97isaScenicCorridorbecauseofitslocationintheDeschutesNationalForest.
COST
Therearenocostsassociatedwiththiscreditbecausethehighwaywasasceniccorridorbeforetheprojectbegan.
BENEFIT
AsaScenicCorridor,theprojectsiteisprotectedbytheForegroundScenicRetentionStandardintheDeschutes
NationalForestLandandResourceManagementPlan.Thisstandardprohibitsactivitiesthatarevisuallyapparent
tothecasualforestvisitorinordertopreservethevalueofthevisualresource.
AE-9 Cultural Outreach
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
TherearemultipleHistoricPlaceswithin10milesoftheprojectboundary,includingOldTownHistoricDistrict.
However,theprojectsitedidnotincludeanyinformationalinfrastructuretodirectroadwayuserstotheHistoric
Places.Thiscreditcouldhavebeenachievedwithminimaladditionalcostbyinstallingasignintheprojectarea
thatdirectsvisitorstotheHistoricPlaces.
ThisprojectwaslocatedintheNewberryNationalHistoricMonument,adesignationthathelpsprotectthearea
fromfurtherdevelopmentandallowsvisitorstoexperiencetheLavaLandsofCentralOregon.However,thisdid
notqualifytheprojectforthiscreditbecausetheNewberryNationalHistoricMonumentisnotlistedontheUnited
StatesRegisterofHistoricPlaces.FutureversionsoftheGreenroadsManualshouldconsiderincludingnational
historicmonumentsintheCulturalOutreachCredit.
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CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES (CA)

Forthiscategory,one(1)ofthe14possiblepointswasearned.ThecreditsareshowninTable5.
Table5:ConstructionActivitiesVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
No.

Title
No.
CA6 PavingEmissionReduction
CA1

CA2

CA3

CA4

CA5

CA7

CA8

CreditsNotEarned
Title
QualityManagementSystem
EnvironmentalTraining
SiteRecyclingPlan
FossilFuelReduction
EquipmentEmissionReduction
WaterUseTracking
ContractorWarranty

CA-1 Quality Management System

DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Thegeneralcontractor,KnifeRiverCorporation,doesnothaveadocumentedqualitymanagementsystem.This
projectcouldhaveachievedthiscredit,butonlywithsubstantialadditionaleffortfromthecontractor.
CA-2 Environmental Training
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
ODOThaspoliciesinplaceforrequiringenvironmentaltrainingandreporting,butthereisnorequirementfor
contractorstoprepareaformalenvironmentaltrainingplan.EnvironmentaltrainingdidoccurforbothODOTs
andthecontractorspersonnelforthisproject.ForODOT,constructioninspectionpersonnelwererequiredto
keepcertificationsorattendtrainingonvariousconstructionactivities,someofwhichrequiretheinspectorsto
monitorspecificenvironmentalcomponents(i.e.pollutionandsedimentcontrol,noise,andprotectionof
biologicalandculturalresources).Atthepreconstructionconference,ODOTbriefedthecontractoronkey
environmentalconditionsincludingwildlifemigration,culturalresourceprotection,wastedisposal,andnatural
resourceprotection.
Thiscreditcouldhavebeenachievedwithlowadditionaleffortbecauseitwouldhaverequiredverylittletimeto
summarizethetrainingplaninaformaldocument.
CA-3 Site Recycling Plan
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Severalsectionsoftheprojectspecificationsaddressedmaterialrecycling,butaformalSiteRecyclingPlanwasnot
preparedforthiscredit.Specifically,asphalt,duffmaterial,concretebarrierandguardrailwasrecycledand/or
reused.ODOTsstandardpracticeistorecyclematerialslikethesewhenpossible.

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Thiscreditcouldhavebeenachievedwithlowadditionaleffortbecauseitwouldhaverequiredlittleadditional
efforttoaddressrecycledmaterialsinaConstructionWasteManagementPlan.
CA-4 Fossil Fuel Reduction
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Thegeneralcontractordidnotownanynonroadequipmentthatusedbiofuelorbiofuelblends.Theproject
superintendentwasnotawareofanyplansthatthecompanymighthavetousebiofuelforitsfleet.
TheOregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality(ODEQ)createdanincentiveforusingcleanerburningfuelswith
itsFleetForwardProgram.Moreinformationaboutthisprogramcanbefoundhere:
http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/fleet/home.htm
Thisprojectcouldhaveachievedthiscreditbutonlywithsubstantialadditionaleffortfromthegeneralcontractor.
CA-5 Equipment Emission Reduction
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Theprojectpersonnelwhowereinterviewedwerenotawareofanynonroadconstructionequipmentthat
achievedtheEPATier4emissionstandard.
Thisprojectcouldhaveachievedthiscreditbutonlywithsubstantialadditionaleffortfromthegeneralcontractor.
CA-6 Paving Emission Reduction
DETAILS
Onepointwasawarded.
RATIONALE
KnifeRiverusesNIOSHengineeredcontrolsonpaversasstandardpractice.
COST
Thecostassociatedwiththiscreditcouldnotbeextractedbecausetheexhaustcontrolswerealreadyinplaceon
thepaversandareusedonallKnifeRiverpavingprojects.

BENEFIT
TheuseofNIOSHengineeredcontrolsonpaversreducedworkerexposuretoasphaltfumes.
CA-7 Water Use Tracking
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Waterusewasaparticularlyimportantaspectofthisprojectbecausetheporousrockmaterialdrainssoquickly
thatinsufficientwateringledtocompactionproblemsonpreviousprojectsinthearea.ODOTprojectpersonnel
monitoredthewaterusecloselytoensurethatenoughwaterwasusedtoachievepropercompaction.

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Anotherimportantaspectofthewateruseforthisprojectwasthatthecontractorobtainednonpotableeffluent
fromthelocalwastewatertreatmentplantanduseditforallwaterrelatedactivitiesexceptcuringtheconcrete.
ThisisstandardpracticeforKnifeRiver,asitreducesthecontractorsexpenseforobtainingwater.Pointswere
awardedunderCustomCreditsforusingnonpotablewaterforconstructionactivities.
ThecontractorsubmitteddailytallysheetstoODOTtoreporttheamountofandpurposeforallwaterused.This
isstandardpracticeforODOTprojectsandisrequiredforthecontractortoreceivepaymentforthewaterused.
However,neitherthecontractornorODOTtrackedwateruseinaspreadsheetthataddressedallofthenecessary
elementsoutlinedintheGreenroadsManual.
Thiscreditcouldhavebeenachievedwithverylittleadditionaleffort.Theinformationrequiredforproper
documentationwaslikelyavailablefromthecontractor.Assemblingtheinformationintoasingledocumentwould
haverequiredadditionaleffortfromtheprojectteam,butnoadditionalconstructioncosts.
CA-8 Contractor Warranty
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Ingeneral,ODOTdoesnotincludecontractorwarrantieswithprojectcontracts.Projectpersonnelremarkedthat
ODOThasexpressedsomeinterestinfindingawaytoincorporatecontractorwarrantiesbutthatthischangeisnot
likelytocomeintheverynearfuture.
Therefore,whilethiscreditcouldhavebeenachievedforthisproject,itwouldhaverequiredsubstantialeffort
fromODOTpersonnel.

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (MR)

Forthiscategory,ten(10)ofthe23possiblevoluntarycreditswereearned.Thesecreditsacknowledgedthereuse
ofatleast80%oftheexistingpavement,usingatleast20%recycledasphaltpavement,andobtainingatleast90%
ofmaterialsfromwithina50mileradiusoftheproject.ThesecreditsareoutlinedinTable6.
Table6:Materials&ResourcesVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
CreditsNotEarned
No.

Title
No.
Title
MR2 PavementReuse
MR1 LifecycleAssessment(LCA)
MR4 RecycledMaterials
MR3 EarthworkBalance
MR5 RegionalMaterials
MR6 EnergyEfficiency
MR-1 Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
ODOTdoesnotpreparelifecycleassessmentsforanyroadwayprojects.Therefore,whilethiscreditcouldhave
beenachievedforthisproject,itwouldhaverequiredsubstantialeffortfromODOTpersonnel.
MR-2 Pavement Reuse
DETAILS
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Fourpointswereawardedforthiscredit.Basedontheprojectmanagersroughcalculations,atleast80%ofthe
existingpavementwasreusedforthisproject.
RATIONALE
Theprimarydesigndecisionthatallowedtheprojecttoachievethiscreditwastoconverttheexistingtwolane
alignment(onenorthboundlaneandonesouthboundlane)intothesouthboundlanesandconstructtwonew
northboundlanestoprovideadditionalcapacity.Thisdecisionwasbasedoncostsavingsandoverallfeasibility.
Althoughpavementistheonlymaterialaddressedbythiscredit,itshouldbenotedthatseveralothermaterials
werereusedonthisproject,includingtreestumpsformulch,duffmaterial,concretebarrierandguardrail.After
treesintheprojectareawerelogged,theconstructioncontractorgroundthestumpstoproducenearly12,800
cubicyardsofmulchforuseonthesite.FutureversionsoftheGreenroadsmanualshouldconsidermodifyingthis
credittoawardpointsforreusingmaterialsotherthanpavement.Forthisreport,pointswereawardedunder
CustomCreditsforreusingvegetationmaterialonsite.
COST
Thecostofachievingthisgoalcouldnotbeextractedbecausethereweresavingsassociatedwithavoidingthe
constructionoffournewlanesandexpensesassociatedwithmaintainingtheolderstructure.Whilethese
quantitiesaredifficulttoestimate,theprojectdesignersbelievethatasubstantialamountofmoneywassavedby
reusingtheexistingpavement.
BENEFIT
Thebenefitsofreusingalargeportionoftheexistingpavementincludeconstructioncostsavingsandreduced
constructiontime.
MR-3 Earthwork Balance
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
Thecutandfillquantitieswerenotcloselybalanced,andsomematerialhadtobeimported.Thiscausedthecut
andfillquantitiestobewithinabout(A)22%,theimporttobeabout(B)9%ofthefillmaterial,andtheexportto
be(C)0%.Therefore,A%+B%+C%wasabout31%,whichisgreaterthantheallowablelimitforthecredit.Refer
totheGreenroadsManualforfurtherexplanationofthisequation.RefertoAppendixDofthisreporttoseehow
thesevalueswerecalculated.
RATIONALE
ODOTprojectdesignerstypicallytrytobalancethecutandfillquantitiestominimizethecostofimportingand
exportingmaterial.Thisgoalcouldnotbeachievedforthisprojectbecausethenewnorthboundlaneshadtobe
builtatahigherelevationthantheexistinghighwayinordertoprotecttheundergroundlavatubethatrunsfrom
onesideoftheprojecttotheother.Theelevationrestrictionsmadeitimpracticaltodesigntheprojectforanideal
cutandfillbalance.Therefore,thiscreditwasnotpracticalforthisprojectduetoitslocationnearsensitive
volcanicfeatures.
MR-4 Recycled Materials
DETAILS
Twopointswereawardedforthiscreditforusingreclaimedasphaltpavement(RAP).
RAPaccountedfor30%ofthebasescourseand20%ofthewearingcourse(measuredbyweightofthematerial).
TheaverageRAPcontentwasthereforebetween20%and30%,whichqualifiedtheprojectfortwopoints.
RATIONALE

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ODOTspolicyistoallowRAPtoaccountforupto30%ofpavementmaterialsbyweight.Pavingcontractorsmay
choosehowmuchRAPtouse,buttheytypicallyincludeasmuchaspossibletorealizesignificantcostsavings
betweenthepriceofnewasphaltbinderandRAP.
COST
ODOTpersonnelestimatethatusingRAPonthisprojectsaved$10to$15pertonofpavement.Thisvalueisbased
onthecurrentpriceofoil,astheasphaltbinderisthemostvaluablematerialinRAP.
BENEFIT
TheprimarybenefitofusingRAPonthisprojectwasthecostsavingsexperiencedbythecontractorandpassed
ontoODOTaspartoftheconstructionprice.
MR-5 Regional Materials
DETAILS
Fourpointswereawardedforobtainingatleast90%(basedoncost)ofmaterialsfromsupplierslocatedwithina
50mileradiusoftheprojectsite.
RATIONALE
Thegreatestcontributionstowardearningthiscreditcamefromobtainingembankmentmaterialandcrushedrock
aggregatefromGasStationQuarry(locatedabout4milesfromtheproject)andusinglocalconcreteandasphalt
suppliers.
ODOTleasedGasStationQuarryfromtheNationalForestServiceandofferedittothecontractorforuseonthis
project.(ThelongtermleasewillalsoallowODOTtoofferthesourcetocontractorsforfutureprojectsinthe
area.)ThecontractorchosetousetheQuarrybecausetheonlycostitinvolvedwasthepricetoloadthematerial
andhaulitlessthan4miles.Thisgreatlyreducedthecontractorscostcomparedtoobtainingthematerialfroma
privatequarryandhaulingitfarther.
Thecontractoralsochosetheconcreteandasphaltsuppliersbasedonexpectedcost.Theconcretewasobtained
fromasupplierinTumalo,Oregon,andtheasphaltcamefromaplantinRedmond,Oregon.
COST
Thecostsavingsassociatedwiththiscreditcouldnotbeextracted,buttheyareexpectedtobequitesignificant.
Asdescribedabove,usingGasStationQuarrysavedthecontractoragreatdealofmoneycomparedtoobtaining
thematerialfromaprivatesource,andthesesavingswerepassedontoODOT.Usinglocalsupplierstoobtain
concrete,asphalt,andothermaterialsalsoreducedthecostsfortransportation.
BENEFIT
Theprimarybenefitofusinglocalregionalmaterialsforthisprojectwasthecostsavingsexperiencedbythe
contractorandpassedontoODOT.
MR-6 Energy Efficiency
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
Theprojectsitedoesnotinvolveexistinglighting,norwillnewlightingfixturesbeinstalled.RefertoEW8Light
Pollutionforadiscussionofwhylightingwasnotusedonthisproject.
Thiscreditisnotpracticalforthisprojectbecauseitrequirestheuseoflightingfixtureswhicharenotnecessaryin
thiscontext.

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PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGIES (PT)

Forthiscategory,five(5)ofthe20possiblevoluntarycreditswereearnedfordesigningthenewsectionof
highwayforlonglife.ThecreditsareshowninTable7.
Table7:PavementTechnologiesVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
No.

Title
No.
PT1
LongLifePavement
PT2

PT3

PT4

PT5

PT6

CreditsNotEarned
Title
PermeablePavement
WarmMixAsphalt
CoolPavement
QuietPavement
PavementPerformanceTracking

PT-1 Long Life Pavement

DETAILS
Fivepointswereawardedforthiscredit.Forthenewlyconstructedsectionofhighway,thebasethicknesswas11
inches,whichexceedstheminimumbasethicknessforthiscredit.Theequivalentsingleaxleloads(ESALs)were
15.3millionforthe20yeardesignlife.AccordingtoFigurePT1.1intheGreenroadsManual,15.3millionESALs
correspondstoaminimumsurfacingthicknessofapproximately11inches.Thenewlyconstructedsectionofthe
highwaywasdesignedwith11inchthickpavement;thereforePT1LongLifePavementwasachieved.
RATIONALE
TheODOTPavementDesignGuiderequiresaminimum20yeardesignlifefornewhighwaysections.Inthiscase,
thepavementdesignforthe20yearlifemettherequirementsoftheLongLifePavementCredit.
COST
Thecostassociatedwithdesigningthepavementforlonglifecouldnotbeextractedbecausethedesignteamdid
notconsiderusingashorterdesignlifeatanypoint.
BENEFIT
Theuseoflonglifepavementisexpectedtodecreaselifecyclecosts,aslessrehabilitationandmaintenanceshould
beneededovertime.
PT-2 Permeable Pavement
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
ODOThasusedpermeablepavementonanexperimentalbasisforselecttestprojects,butthisprojectwasnot
selectedtobeatestproject.Ifithadbeenselected,itwouldhaveonlybeenpracticaltousepermeablepavement
ontheshouldersbecausepermeablepavementisnotsuitableforhighvolumetrafficloads.Thisrelativelysmall
areawouldnotlikelyhavebeenabletotreattherunoffvolumerequiredbytheGreenroadsManualinorderto
achievethiscredit.
Therefore,thiscreditisnotpracticalforthisproject.
PT-3 Warm Mix Asphalt
DETAILS
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Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
ODOThasusedwarmmixasphalt(WMA)onseveraltestprojects,twoofwhichwereinCentralOregon.Someof
thepavementsectionsexperiencedtransversecrackingthiswinter,andtherewasconcernthatthecrackingwas
relatedtotheWMA.Therefore,althoughthecontractorproposedusingWMAonthisproject,ODOTchosenotto
makethisatestproject.
BecausethecontractorcouldhaveusedWMAifODOTallowedit,thiscreditcouldhavebeenachievedwith
minimaladditionaleffort.
PT-4 Cool Pavement
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
TheprojectteamwasnotawareoftheuseofcoolpavementonanyODOTprojects.ODOTwouldonlyusethis
technologyonanexperimentalbasis.
Thiscreditcouldhavebeenachieved,butitlikelywouldhaverequiredasignificantamountofadditioneffortfrom
ODOTtomakeitatestprojectforcoolpavement.
PT-5 Quiet Pavement
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
TheprojectteamwasnotawareoftheuseofquietpavementonanyODOTprojects.ODOTwouldonlyusethis
technologyonanexperimentalbasis.However,ifODOThadatestprojecteffortunderway,thisprojectwouldnot
likelyhavebeenselectedasatestprojectbecauseitisnotlocatedinadenselypopulatedarea.Inareportfrom
theNorwegianPublicRoadsAdministration,researchersfoundthatquietpavementwasonlyaneconomicalnoise
reductionsolutioninareasthathaveatleast100householdsperkilometer1.Therearenohouseholdsinthe
immediatevicinityofthisproject,soquietpavementwouldnothavebeenapracticaldesignfeature.
Therefore,thiscreditisnotpracticalforthisproject.
PT-6 Pavement Performance Tracking
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotearned.
RATIONALE
ODOTdoesnothaveapavementperformancetrackingsystem,nordoesithaveplanstoimplementsuchasystem
inthefuture.
Thiscreditcouldhavebeenachievedforthisproject,butonlywithsignificantadditionaleffortfromODOTto
implementapavementperformancetrackingsystem.

NorwegianPublicRoadsAdministration.(2009).EnvironmentallyFriendlyPavements.Sandvika:ViaNovaPlanog
TrafikkAS.
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POTENTIAL CUSTOM CREDITS

Four(4)bestpracticesimplementedonthisprojectwereidentifiedaspossiblymeritingadesignationasa
GreenroadsCustomCredit.Atotalofseven(7)additionalpointsaretentativelyawarded.CC1andCC3would
likelyfitintotheEnvironmentandWatercategory,CC2wouldlikelybecategorizedwithMaterialsandResources,
andCC4wouldlikelybecategorizedwithAccessandEquality.Notethatresearchhasnotbeencompletedatthis
timeandthattheGreenroadsDevelopmentTeamwillrevieweachcreditapplicationandvetthecreditbefore
incorporatingitintolaterversionsofthemetric.Table8providesthecredittitleandintent.
Table8:PotentialCustomCredits
No.
Title
CC1 NonPotableWaterUse
CC2 VegetationReuse
CC3 HabitatCreation

Pts.
3
2
1

CC4

Aesthetics

Description
Eliminatetheuseofpotablewaterforconstructionactivities
Reuse allvegetationcleared fromtheprojectsite(SeeFigure6)
Constructnewwildlifehabitatfeatures(e.g.batroostingcrevices
beneathbridges)(SeeFigure7)
Designstructurestoprovideaestheticappealandblendinwiththe
naturalenvironment(SeeFigure8)

Figure7VegetationReuse
Vegetationthatwasclearedfromtheprojectsitewasusedonsiteasduffmaterial.

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Figure8HabitatCreation
Bridgestructuresweredesignedtoprovidecreviceswherebatscanroost.

Figure9AestheticFeatures
Textureandpigmentwereappliedtobridgeabutments(shownherebeforepigmentwasapplied)
tomakethemblendwiththenaturalgeology.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
SeveralchangestotheGreenroadsmanualwererecommendedinthesectionsabove.Therecommendationsare
summarizedhere:

EW6:TheHabitatRestorationCreditshouldbemodifiedtoallowallprojectstoachievethiscredit
regardlessofwhethertheareaincludesawaterbody.Thisprojectaddressedpartoftheintentofthis
creditwithanassociatedODOTandForestServicecollaborationwhichtreated28.33milesofunwanted
roadsinadjacentareasoftheDeschutesNationalForest.However,theprojectcannotearnanypoints
forthiscreditthewayitiscurrentlywrittenbecauseitdoesnotincludeawaterbodyandtheIBIcannot
becalculated.

EW8:TheLightPollutionCreditshouldbemodifiedtoallowprojectslocatedinruralareastoachievethis
creditbyoptingnottoimplementalightingsystemifitcanbeshownthatthedecisionwasbasedon
protectionoftheenvironment.Forthisproject,thedesignteamchosetousenolightingoverusingDark
Skycompliantfixturesbecauseitreducedtheimpactonwildlife.However,thiscreditiswrittensothatit
couldhaveonlybeenachievedifDarkSkycompliantfixtureswereimplemented.

AE5:ThePedestrianAccessCreditshouldbemodifiedtoallowprojectslocatedinruralareastoachieve
thiscreditbyconstructingextrawideshoulderstoaccommodatenonmotorists.Thedesignteamdidnot
considersidewalksasapracticalfeatureforahighwayinaforest,butratherdecidedtoaddresstheneed
forpedestrianaccessbydesigningextrawideshoulders.

AE6:LikethePedestrianAccessCredit,theBicycleAccessCreditshouldbemodifiedtoallowprojects
locatedinruralareastoachievethiscreditbyconstructingextrawideshoulderstoaccommodatenon
motorists.Thedesignteamdidnotconsiderbikeonlyfacilitiesasapracticalfeatureforahighwayina
forest,butratherdecidedtoaddresstheneedforbicycleaccessbydesigningextrawideshoulders.

AE9:TheCulturalOutreachCreditshouldbemodifiedtoallowprojectslocatedinorverynearto
NationalHistoricMonumentstoachievethiscredit.ThisprojectislocatedintheNewberryNational
VolcanicMonument(andincludesinformationalinfrastructuretodirectvisitorstotheMonument),butit
cannotearnpointsforthiscreditbecausetheNewberryNationalVolcanicMonumentisnotlistedinthe
UnitedStateNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.

MR2:ThePavementReuseCreditshouldbemodifiedtoallowprojectstoearnpointsforreusing
materialsotherthanpavement.Thisprojectreusedtreestumpsformulch,duffmaterial,concretebarrier
andguardrail,butcouldonlyearnpointsforusingRAP.

Thepotentialcustomcreditsdescribedintheprevioussectionshouldalsobeconsideredforinclusionin
futureversionsoftheGreenroadsManual.

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LIMITATIONS
PilotProjectresultsarebasedondiscussionswithprojectpersonnelonly,andanyprojectdocumentsprovidedto
theUniversityofWashingtonReviewTeam.Ingeneral,morecasestudiesofvaryingprojecttypesareneededto
betterreflectcurrentODOTsustainabilitypractices.ThisPilotProjectReportprovidesonlyasmallglimpseof
currenteffortsonaspecificproject,andthereforestudyresultsmaynotaccuratelyreflectthelevelofeffortmade
towardsustainabilitybestpracticesthatareputforwardbysimilarprojecttypeswithinODOT.
Regulatoryrequirementstendtodictatemanyoftheactionsofmostroadwayprojectteamsandtransportation
agencies.However,theintentofGreenroadsistoencouragebestpracticesthatgoaboveandbeyondexisting
UnitedStatesregulationsandrequirements.Alistofcurrentregulatoryrequirementsisprovidedinthe
IntroductiontotheGreenroadsManual(Muench&Anderson,2010).
Greenroadsiscontinuallyunderdevelopment.Casestudiescompletedundertheversion1.0.1ratingsystemthat
hasbeenusedtoratethisprojectmaynotscoreequivalentlyunderfutureversionsofGreenroads.

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APPENDIX A
About Greenroads

ABOUT GREENROADS
ThissectiondetailstheGreenroadsSustainabilityPerformanceMetric,includingabriefbackgroundon
developmentofthesystem,theoperatingdefinitionofsustainabilityused,andabriefdescriptionofhowitworks
andcanbeimplemented.Moredetailedinformation,includingtheVersion1.0.1manualofrequirementsand
creditscanbefoundontheofficialGreenroadswebsite:http://www.greenroads.us.
Thelistofcreditsincludingabriefdescriptionisattachedattheendofthisshortappendix.

BACKGROUND
Greenroadsisaresearchproject(Sderlund,2007)thatisjointlydevelopedbytheUniversityofWashington(UW)
andCH2MHILL.Greenroadsisacollectionofsustainabilitybestpracticesthatapplytoroadwaydesignand
construction,muchliketheLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)RatingSystemforBuildingsthat
isadministeredbytheUnitedStatesGreenBuildingCouncil(USGBC).Ingeneral,thesesustainabilitybestpractices
aredividedintotwotypes:requiredandvoluntary.Thereiscurrentlyonerequiredcategorywith11requiredbest
practicescalledProjectRequirementsorPRs.Atminimum,allofthesebestpracticesmustbecompletedin
orderforaroadwaytobeconsideredaGreenroad.
WhatisaGreenroad?
AGreenroadisdefinedasroadwayprojectthathasbeendesignedandconstructedtoalevelofsustainability
thatissubstantiallyhigherthancurrentcommonpractice.
WhatisSustainability?
Sustainabilityisthecharacteristicofasystemthatrepresentsitscapacitytosupportnaturallawsandhuman
values.(Anderson,2008;Muenchet.al,2010)
ProjectsthatregisterusingtheGreenroadswebsiteareeligibletoearnacertificationawardandwillbeableto
displaytheGreenroadslogoontheirprojecttorecognizetheirachievement.

STRUCTURE OF THE METRIC

Ingeneral,theGreenroadssustainabilitybestpracticesaredividedintotwotypes:requiredandvoluntary.Thereis
currentlyonerequiredcategorywith11requiredbestpracticescalledProjectRequirementsorPRs.At
minimum,allofthesebestpracticesmustbecompletedinorderforaroadwaytobeconsideredaGreenroad.
Thirtyseven(37)othervoluntarybestpracticesarecharacterizedinfiveadditionalcategories,calledvoluntary
creditsorVCs.AfterthePRrequirementshavebeenmet,anumberofdifferentVCsmaybeachievedandpoints
maybeearnedtowardoneoffourratings:Certified,Silver,GoldandEvergreen.Additionally,asixthVCcategoryis
availabletoprojectsthatdemonstrateandimplementinnovativeideasormoresustainablepracticesandwould
liketowriteorsubmittheirowncustomizedornewideasforpoints.
FollowingisabriefdescriptionofthesevencategoriesinGreenroads.TherelativeweightsofthefivemainVC
categoriesareshowninFigureA.1.
ProjectRequirements
Thiscategorycontainsall11ProjectRequirements(PR)thataGreenroadsprojectmustmeetinordertobe
consideredforacertificationlevelaward.Thegeneralintentofthiscategoryistoencourageenvironmentally
responsibledecisionmakingprocessesandtohavemanagementplansinplaceforconstruction,andto
establishaminimumbaselineforeveryprojectthatappliesforcertification.
Environment&Water(EW)
Thiscategorycontainseight(8)voluntarycreditsworthupto21points.Theintentofthiscategoryisto
promotebestpracticesrelatedtostormwatermanagementandecologicalresourceswithintheproject
boundary.

Access&Equity(AE)
Thiscategorycontainsnine(9)voluntarycreditsworthupto30points.Theintentofthiscategoryisto
promotesafety,access,andmobilitytousersoftheroadway.
ConstructionActivities(CA)
Thiscategorycontainseight(8)voluntarycreditsworthupto14points.Theintentofthiscategoryisto
promoteresponsibleconstructionmanagement,reduceuseoffossilfuelsandimprovehealthandsafetyof
constructionworkers.
Materials&Resources(MR)
Thiscategorycontainssix(6)voluntarycreditsworthupto23points.Theintentofthiscategoryistopromote
responsiblematerialsandenergymanagementbycombinationsofrecycling,reusingandreducingbothvirgin
andwastematerials.
PavementTechnologies(PT)
Thiscategorycontainssix(6)voluntarycreditsworthupto20points.Theintentofthiscategoryistohighlight
specificpavementengineeringinnovationsandideasorbroadtypesoftechnologiesortechniqueswhichare
wellestablishedinpracticeandhavedirectsustainabilitybenefits.
CustomCredits(CC)
Thiscategorycontainsupto10creditswhichmaybeearnedbyaprojectthatimplementssustainableor
innovativeideas.Theprojectteammaysubmitapplicationswithadetaileddescriptionandexplanationofthe
practicetoearncreditsinthiscategoryranginginvaluefrom1to5points.Pointsawardedforthecustom
creditaredeterminedthroughreviewandcollaborationwithGreenroadsrepresentatives.Thereiscurrentlyno
limitestablishedforhowmanycustomcreditsaprojectmaysubmitforreview.

FigureA.10.RelativeWeightsofGreenroadsVCCategories(Muenchetal.2010)

APPENDIX B
Case Study / Pilot Project Method

REVIEW METHODS
TherearefourtypesofGreenroadsevaluationsthatvaryinformality,objectives,timerequired,andlevelofeffort
for communication and documentation. This project review constitutes what is called a Case Study. All four
methodsarelistedwithashortdescriptionbelowforcontextofthemethodused.
WhatisaWorkshopAssessment?
Aworkshopassessmentistheleastformalevaluationandrequiresnodocumentation.Theformatisinteractive
anddiscussionbased.SelectPRsandVCsarereviewedtodeterminefeasibilityforaspecificprojectwhile
completingtheGreenroadschecklist.Participationisvoluntary,butatleastoneProjectManagerordesign
teamleadshouldbepresent.Theendresultisacompletedchecklistthatmaybeusedasaninternal
benchmarkingtoolifdesired.
WhatisaCaseStudy?
GenerallyaretroactiveapplicationoftheGreenroadsmetricdoneonprojectsthatarealreadycompleted,case
studiesarepartofthecalibrationandtestingprocessforvalidatingthemetricinitscurrentstate.Casestudies
includereviewofsomedocumentationbutinmostcases,documentationmaynotbeavailable.Casestudies
alsorequirecommunicationwithaProjectManager,butinpersoninteractionisnotnecessary.
WhatisaPilotProject?
Apilotprojectbeginsafterinitialcompletionofacasestudy.Itinvolvesongoingcommunicationbetweenthe
ProjectTeamandtheGreenroadsdevelopmentteam.Ultimately,thepurposeofthisprocessistodocument
andcollectinformationregardingfeasibilityandpracticalbarriersorsuccessesforimplementingsomeorallof
thepracticesinGreenroads.Thisprocesslastsfromcompletionofthecasestudythroughcompletionofthe
roadwayproject,andischaracterizedbyregularprogressreports.Certificationisnotguaranteedorpartofthis
process.Whilepilotprojectsmaybeginatanytimeduringdesignandconstruction,theyaremostimportantto
beginearlyinthedesignphaseorprojectdevelopment.DesignatedpilotprojectsmayusetheGreenroadslogo
andadvertisethattheyareaGreenroadsPilotProject,butmaynotreferencecertificationlevelsorstateany
awardhasbeenachieved.
WhatisaCertificationReview?
CertificationisthehighestlevelofformalityandrequiresfinaldocumentationforverificationofearnedPRs
andVCsattimeofevaluation.ProjectsmustcompleteanddocumentbothaDesignReviewandaConstruction
ReviewinordertoachieveaGreenroadsrating;thesetworeviewsmaybedoneseparatelyorincombination.
ThecertificationprocessincludesregistrationontheGreenroadswebsite,payingassociatedfeesand
submittingalldocumentsforreviewedthroughanelectronicprocess.Atthistime,thereisnothirdparty
certificationavailablebutthisisanticipatedneartheendof2011.

CASE STUDY/PILOT PROJECT METHOD

Thecasestudy/pilotprojectmethodologyusedonthisprojectcontainsthreemainsteps.
1.

2.

GreenroadsholdsalivediscussionwiththeProjectManager.Thisdiscussionhelpstoidentifygeneral
informationabouttheproject,includingtheneedsandgoals,andplanningdecisionsthatweremadeatthe
outset.Additionally,ithelpstoidentifywhatinformationanddocumentationneeds(orwhether
documentationevenexists)inordertoproceedwiththecasestudy/pilotprojectreview.Thediscussionalso
helpstodeterminetheProjectManagerscurrentperceptionofsustainabilityandhowtheprojectcouldfit
withtheGreenroadsmetric.Typically,thisstepincludesabriefoverviewanddiscussionofeachcredit.
Ultimately,theconversationshouldallowthereviewteamtounderstandwhatperceivedlevelofeffortmay
berequiredinordertoestablishordocumentwhetherornotaparticularsustainabilitybestpracticehasbeen
implementedonaproject.Perceivedlevelofeffortisfurtherexplainedbelow.
Basedonthisdiscussion,reviewofdocumentsprovided,followupcommunication,Greenroadscompletesthe
GreenroadsProjectChecklistfortheproject.TheChecklistshowsthenumberofprojectrequirements(PR)

3.

thathavebeenmetbytheproject,anyvoluntarycreditsachievedandpointsawarded,andalsothe
certificationawardlevelachieved,ifany.Additionally,thechecklistshowsthepotentiallevelsachievableif
variouslevelsofeffortweretobepursuedduringtheplanning,designorconstructionprocess.Asrequested,
thechecklistalsoshowswhichcreditsdirectlyorindirectlyprovideagreenhousegas(GHG)benefit.The
checklistissubmittedforreviewbytheProjectManager.
Finally,Greenroadsgeneratesabriefreportoftheresultsofthecasestudy/pilotprojectandprovides
recommendationsbasedontheseresultsandthescopeofworkforthestudy.Theformatforacase
study/pilotprojectreportislikelytobeashortinformationalmemorandumratherthanadetailedtechnical
report,thoughmoredetailedcasestudy/pilotprojectreportsmaybewarrantedinspecialsituationsor
requested.
Generally,thismethodologywasusedforthisproject.Anydeviationsfromthismethodareidentifiedwithin
thereport.

WHAT IS PERCEIVED LEVEL OF EFFORT?

DuringthediscussionwiththeProjectManager(PM),Greenroadsestablishesthepotentialforeachcredittobe
achievedaccordingtoPMandtheGreenroadsreviewer.Thisislargelyagageofsubjectiveperceptionsunless
documentationisprovidedtosupportachievementofaparticularVC(orotherwiseindicatesitwasnotachieved).

DEFINING EFFORT
Effortisdefinedbyanyofthefollowing,orcombinationsofthefollowing:
AmountofdocumentationrequiredbyGreenroads
Amountoftimetoprovideandgeneratedocumentationthatisinadditiontostandardprojectdocumentation
(nottypicallyincludedintenderpackages)
Amountofresourcesthatmayormaynotbephysicallyavailableoraccessibletocompleteatask,implementa
technologyorpractice,ortodocumentthem
AmountofmoneyinvolvedinacquiringanddocumentingaGreenroadscredit
Conflictswithexistingregulatorystandards,ifany
ConflictswithimplementingGreenroadscreditsinthedesignprocess,ifany
ConflictswithimplementingGreenroadscreditsintheconstructionprocess,ifany
EffortisratedonascaleofYes,Maybe(?),orNo,andcreditswhichwerenotappropriateorapplicabletoa
particularprojectarealsodesignated.TheLevelofEffortcolumnontheChecklistreflectstheamountofeffort
requiredifthecreditweretobepursued.Ifthecreditispursued,itmayearnthepointscorrespondingtothelevel
ofeffortpursuediftheprogressoftheactionitemsiscomplete(at100%).
Forexample,ifa3pointcreditwasconsideredtobeloweffort(abbreviatedL),3pointsforthatcreditwere
placedinthecolumnforthatcreditcalledLow.Akeyisprovidedoneachworksheetwiththeabbreviationsused.
Notethattypesofcreditshaverangesofpoints,suchastheRecycledMaterials(MR4)credit.Pointvaluesfor
incrementaltypesofcreditsmayvaryineffortlevelrequired,anddependingonwhateffortlevelisattempted,not
allofthepointsforaparticularcreditmaybeearned.Thesepointsforincrementalcreditsaredistributedacross
therangeofeffortlevelsbasedonthediscussionswiththeProjectManagers.Thesametheoryistrueforbuffet
stylecreditswhereanumberofalternativesmaybeavailabletomeetacertainobjective,buthavevarying
degreesofeffortassociatedwitheachalternative.
LowEffort
AlowlevelofeffortrepresentsalowdifficultyinprovidinginformationtotheGreenroadsteam(forexample,
documentationexistsaspartofthestandardtenderpackage)orinvolvesverylittleadditionaladministrative
resourcesandtimetoproduceevidencethatthecreditrequirementswereachieved.Loweffortalsocould

meanalowornocostadditionorminordesignchangetotheproject,orthattheintentofthecreditdoesnot
obviouslyconflictwithexistingregulationsorstandards.Thisdesignationmayalsorepresentaperceivedhigh
availabilityofphysicalmaterialsorequipment.
Notethatadesignationofloweffortmayrepresentsanycreditthatwasachievedbyregulatorymeansor
similarpolicyandstandardsbecauseitisassumedthatthetaskmustbecompletedinordertomeet
requirementsotherthanthoseoutlinedinGreenroadsProjectRequirementsorVoluntaryCredits.Anexample
ofaloweffortissubmittingastandardizeddesigndocument,suchasapavementevaluation,tomeetthe
criteriafortheLifeCycleCostAnalysis(PR2)requirement.
ModerateEffort
ThisperceptionlevelfallssomewherebetweenLowandHighdependingoninterpretationoftheProject
Manager.Moderateeffortmayalsoreflectaneducationalendeavororpublicawarenessprogramwherethere
isalearningcurveinvolvedforthedesignteam,agencyorconstructionteamontheproject.
Insomerarecases,amoderatelevelofeffortmaybeareflectionoftheaverageperceptionsoftheconsulting
teamandtheProjectManager.Wherepossible,thisdistinctionismadeintheReviewerCommentssectionof
theChecklistsforeachindividualproject.Forexample,EcologicalConnectivity(EW7)wasahighpriorityfor
theKickinghorseCanyon(Highway1)project,butmuchofeffort,specificallycostandtimerequiredfor
detailedenvironmentalreview,wasrequiredbytheCanadianEnvironmentalAssessmentAct(CEAA)duetothe
projectslocationinanecologicallysensitivearea.WhiletheProjectManagerperceivedthattheprojecthad
goneaboveandbeyondconventionaldesign,planning,andcostexpendituresforenvironmental
considerations(correspondingtoaveryhighlevelofeffort),theconsultingteamrecognizesthattheywere
clearlyrequiredtodosobyfederalpolicy.However,theconsultingteamalsorecognizesthatnoteveryproject
islocatedinahighlyecologicallysensitiveareaandthereforethiseffort,thoughregulated,doeshavemerit
duetotheresultingpositiveecologicalimpact.
HighEffort
Thislevelofperceptionindicatesasignificantdesignprocesschangeorregulatorychangewouldneedto
happeninordertoachieveacreditandmeetthecreditrequirementsasspecifiedintheGreenroadsManual.
Higheffortalsoreflectssignificantaddedcost(above3%oftotalprojectcost,forexample,wasconsidered
significantasnotedbyProjectManagerJonJensen).Forexample,PerformanceBasedWarranty(CA8)is
consideredahighlevelofeffort,becauseitwouldrequireasignificantlylargerrisktobetakenbythe
contractor(threeyearsinsteadofthesomeagencystandardoneyearwarranties),whichwouldlikelybe
reflectedintheprojectbudgetasanaddedcost.
NotApplicable(N/A)
ItisnotpossibleforanysingleprojecttoearnallofthecreditsinGreenroads.Whereaparticularcreditwas
notappropriateforaproject,thiscreditwasdesignatednotapplicablewiththenotationN/A.Forexample,
theEnergyEfficiencycredit(MR6)isnotapplicableonaprojectwithoutanyelectriclightinginstalled.

APPENDIX C
Project Calculations

MR-3 EARTHWORK BALANCE CALCULATIONS

DataProvidedbytheProjectTeam:

Imported:20,000cyfromGasStationQuarry

Calculations:
SeetheGreenroadsManualforanexplanationoftheequationsused.
A=74,300/(134,390+208,690)=21.7%
B=20,000/208690=9.58%
C=0/134,390=0%
A+B+C=31.28>10%
Award0Points.