SESSION: SUSTAINABILITY & METRICS

DDOT: Road to Sustainability and Resilient Infrastructure

Lezlie Rupert, DDOT

The presentation will address the policies DDOT has in place for Environmental Management Systems, Sustainability and Climate Change Adaptation. I will speak to how DDOT has operationalized these policies to date with some case studies and project examples. I will also speak to the next steps and areas for improvement in the presentation.

Lezlie Rupert is an experienced environment and transportation professional. She currently serves as the Environment and Major Studies Manager for the District Department of Transportation. Ms. Rupert has managed and led several projects and programs in the areas of environmental management, environmental review and compliance, climate change adaptation, multi-modal Transportation Planning, context sensitive solutions, sustainability, transportation programming and resource management. She has led and contributed to several complex multi-modal NEPA and Environmental documents which include EISs, EAs and CEs. Her work includes regular coordination with several federal agencies. Her program is responsible for managing the environmental management system for the agency, climate change adaptation, sustainability and environmental compliance. Her program and projects have won several recognitions and awards.  Ms. Rupert has a Bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland, College Park MD and a Master’s degree from American University, Washington DC.

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

DDOT: the road to sustainability

June 18, 2014

Sustainability & NEPAMeeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development U.N. 1987).

42 USC § 4331 Section 101:Congress, recognizing the profound impact of mans activity and the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of man declares that it is the continuing policy of the federal government to use all practical means and measure in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

DDOT policies for sustainability:

Environmental Management System Environmental Management System Manual

DDOT Sustainability Plan

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

Green Infrastructure Standards

Sustainability DC

moveDC

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

EMS in the future

• The project development and environment team is going beyond compliance

• Actively work on streamlining process

• Regular trainings on process and correlation with sustainability

• 2013: Audit program

• 2014: Environmental awards program

• Incorporate sustainable rating tools in project review

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

DDOT Sustainability Plan

Sustainable transportation is a system that provides mode choices in a balanced manner without compromising safety, accessibility, and mobility; it enhances the economy, promotes livability, and protects the environment.

Set the following priority areas: •Promoting Transportation and Land Use Linkages•Improving Mode Choices, Accessibility, and Mobility•Effective Cost Assessments in Decision Making •Supporting the Economy •Improving DDOT Operations and Project Development •Protecting the Environment & Conserving Resources•Climate Change Adaptation •Promoting Livability & Safety

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Recognizes the need for the transportation sector to be prepared for a changing climate.

•DDOT owns 4,000 lane miles, 240 bridges / tunnels, 68,000 street lights and over 1,400 signalized intersections.

•Coordination with local Department of Environment and regional partnerships (Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern States)

•Conducted Vulnerability Assessment• High: tree loss, power outage from storms• Medium: invasive species, stormwater and flooding issues

•Identified Action Items• Develop climate change projections • Assess most critical needs• Update standards and policies

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

The greenhouse gas inventory accounts for the amount of greenhouse gases for DDOT for a specific time frame. Looked at DDOT in 2009 and 2040: •Fleet•Circulator Buses•Facilities•Streetlights & Signals•Roadways

Overall, GHG emissions are predicted to decrease by approximately 10% for carbon dioxide equivalent. *DC Circulator emissions will increase due to expansion of the system.

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

Green Infrastructure Standards

Green Infrastructure Standards: Green Book (2014)•Helps attain retention of 1.2 inches of run-off to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP)•Public Right of Way (ROW) Construction Projects•Public Space Permits Projects•In correlation with District stormwater regulations and MS4 permit

•Includes • approved types of permeable pavers• Cross section diagrams• Pavement types for different uses (alley, roadway, sidewalk,

trail)• Bioretention types• Bioswale types• Approved plant type list• Maintenance plan

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

Sustainablity DC

District-wide initiative from the Mayor’s office.Envisions an accessible, convenient, and resilient transportation system:•Improve connectivity and accessibility through efficient, integrated and affordable transit systems.•Expand provision of safe, secure infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. •Reduce traffic congestion to improve mobility.•Improve air quality along major transportation routes

DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

moveDC

• DDOT’s long-range vision plan• Sustainability recommendations:

• Expand public space tree program (Urban Forestry)• Increase tree canopy and tree species diversity

• Increase permeable surfaces• Stormwater treatment • Low impact design

Plan will be finalized summer 2014.