PILOT PROJECT SUMMARY REPORT

VERSION 1.0.1

T.H. 95 MILL & OVERLAY

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION (MN/DOT)

Prepared by
CraigWeiland

Date
May11,2011

Greenroads Pilot Project

T.H. 95 Mill & Overlay

CONTENTS
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................1
SummaryofResults.......................................................................................................................................................2
Conclusions&Recommendations.................................................................................................................................4
ProjectDescription........................................................................................................................................................5
CreditDiscussionbyCategory.......................................................................................................................................6
ProjectRequirements(PR).......................................................................................................................................6
Environment&Water(EW).....................................................................................................................................7
Access&Equity(AE)................................................................................................................................................8
ConstructionActivities(CA).....................................................................................................................................9
Materials&Resources(MR)....................................................................................................................................9
PavementTechnologies(PT)..................................................................................................................................10
PotentialCustomCredits.......................................................................................................................................11
Limitations...................................................................................................................................................................12
References...................................................................................................................................................................13

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FIGURES
Figure1:ProjectLocation..............................................................................................................................................5

TABLES
Table1:SummaryofRawScores...................................................................................................................................2
Table2:ProjectInformation..........................................................................................................................................5

APPENDICES
AppendixA:AboutGreenroads
AppendixB:GreenroadsScorecard

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INTRODUCTION
ThisreportsummarizestheresultsoftheGreenroadsPilotProjectstudycompletedfortheTrunkHighway95(T.H.
95)Mill&OverlayprojectonbehalfoftheMinnesotaDepartmentofTransportation(Mn/DOT).
ThisreportpresentsadescriptionofthescopeofthePilotProjectreview,asummaryoftheproject,acompleted
scorecard,acreditbycreditdiscussionoftheresults,andalistofreferenceddocuments.Recommendationsare
alsoincludedforapplyingtheGreenroadssustainabilityperformancemetrictofutureMn/DOTprojects.
AdetaileddescriptionoftheGreenroadsRatingSystemcanbefoundinAppendixA,includingashortlistof
GreenroadsProjectRequirements(PR)andVoluntaryCredits(VC)forreference.AGreenroadsScorecardforthe
projectisincludedintheSummaryofResultssection.

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SUMMARY OF RESULTS
TheT.H.95Mill&Overlayprojectachieved2of11ProjectRequirements(PR)and15VoluntaryCredit(VC)points.
Asscored,itdidnotreachanycertificationlevel,butwiththeadditionoflowornocostitemsithasthepotential
tomeetall11PRsandscore38VCpoints,whichcorrespondstoaCertifiedrating.Basedonourexperience,a
certifiedratingforamillandfillprojectrepresentsasignificantsustainabilityaccomplishmentandisonthehigh
endofwhatcouldbeexpectedfromjobsscopedsimilarly.
InordertoachievealevelofcertificationinGreenroads,allof11ProjectRequirements(PR)mustbecompleted
anddocumented.ProjectsreviewedasGreenroadscasestudiesandPilotProjectshaverarelycompletedall11
PRs.Basedonavailabledocumentation,thisprojectdoesnotappeartohavemetall11PRs.However,giventhe
generalnatureofoverlayjobsinMinnesota,itisprobablethattheT.H.95Mill&Overlayprojectmayhave
achievedmorethanthe2listedPRs,howeverthereviewerwasnotabletoverifytheseadditionalPRsbecausethe
associateddocumentationwasnotaccessible.Occasionally,somePRsmayalsobedocumentedretroactivelyifthe
practicewascompletedduringtheprojecteventhoughitmaynothavebeenformallytrackedbytheowner,
designerorcontractor.
Generally,thisprojectdidnotreceivemanypointsassociatedwithVoluntaryCredits(VC)eitherbecausetheitem
wasnotattemptedordocumentationwasnotavailable.SimilartothePRs,someVCsmayalsobedocumented
retroactivelyifthepracticewascompletedduringtheproject.
Table1summarizestheresultsofthisGreenroadsPilotProjectstudy.NotethatPRsdonotcarryapointvalue,and
theydonotaddtothetotalpossiblescore(118VCpoints).Forreference,minimumscoresforGreenroads
achievementlevels,includingsatisfyingall11PRs,areasfollows:

Certified:
Silver:
Gold:
Evergreen:

32points
43points
54points
64points

Insummary,theT.H.95projectwouldscoreasfairlyaveragewhencomparedtootherPilotProjectsandcase
studiesreviewedbyGreenroadsandtheUniversityofWashingtonifdocumentationformanyofthecreditsin
questionwereavailable.Forcomparison,projectswereviewtypicallyachievethreetofiveProjectRequirements
andscoreinthe1525pointrangeforVoluntaryCredits.

Table1:SummaryofRawScores
ProjectName
PR EW AE CA MR PT CC RawScore Eligible? AwardPotential
AchievedScore
2
0
6
0
6
3
0
15 No
None
PotentialScore
11
6 10
7
11
4
0
38 Yes
Certified
MaximumPossibleScore
11 18 25 14
18 15
0
90 Yes
Evergreen
TotalPossible 11 21 30 14
23 20 10
118

AchievedScore:Thisscorereflectstheamountofpointsthatcanbeawardedbasedonthecreditsthatwere
actuallypursuedontheprojectandforwhichproperdocumentationwasprovided.

PotentialScore:Someofthepointsnotachievedcouldbeachievedwithrelativelylowadditionaleffort,inthe
bestjudgmentofthereviewer.Thisdoesnotmeanthattheprojectteamshouldhaveachievedthosepoints.
Ratheritmeansthatthesepointsmightbeconsideredattainableonfutureprojectsormightstillbeattainableon
theprojectreviewedhere.Thesepointscantypicallybeearnedwithadditionalpersonhoursdedicatedto
completingpaperwork,formsorcalculations.Theywouldlikelyincuradditionalcostsassociatedwithperson
hoursexpended,buttheywouldlikelynotraisetheprojectsconstructionbidprice.

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MaximumPossibleScore:Thisscorereflectsthemaximumnumberofpointstheprojectcouldhaveearnedifthey
werewillingtoincurgreaterinitialcostand/orlifecyclecost.Thisincludesallcreditsexceptthosethatarenot
reasonabletoincludegivenprojectscopeandintent.Achievingthemaximumpossiblescorewouldlikelyincur
addedexpensebothinpersonhoursandbidpriceforinitialcost,butmanyitemsmaystillresultinalowerlife
cyclecost.

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CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

1. TheT.H.95Mill&OverlayprojectmayhavecompletedmorethantheoneachievedProjectRequirementthat
wasawarded,butadditionaldocumentationwouldbeneededtoprovethat.Minimaleffortwouldberequired
toachievealloftheProjectRequirementsandbeeligibleforanaward.
2. Generally,manyoftheVoluntaryCredits(VC)couldhavebeenachievedbutdocumentationislackingformany
ofthem.Thismakesitdifficulttosayhowtheproject,asconstructed,wouldscore.Itdoesappearhowever
thataMn/DOTprojectsuchasthiscouldreceivesomesortofcertificationwithoutagreatincreaseinproject
costorhavingtocompletelyredesign.
3. MillandOverlayprojectsdonotusuallyscorereallyhighcomparedtootherGreenroadsprojects.Manyofthe
items,suchaslighting,pedestrianandbicyclefacilities,etc.oftenarenotinthescopeoftheseprojectsand
oftenareforneworfullreconstructionprojects.TheseprojectsdousuallyscorewellintheMaterials&
Resourcescategoryhoweverbecauseofmaterialsrecyclingandreuse.
4. Mn/DOTlikelyhasmanyprojectsthatwouldratehigherthanT.H.95.Urbanprojectswouldlikelypursuea
muchdifferentsetofcreditssuchasAE7,EW8&MR6
5. ItappearsthatsomeminorchangeswouldneedtobemadetodocumentationforMn/DOTprojectstoscore
wellinGreenroads.
6. ThescoringindicatesthatthisbasicmillandoverlayprojectcouldachieveaCertifiedratingwithoutadditional
contractcost.Thiswouldhoweverincuradditionalcostfrompersonhoursoftheprojectteamordesign
consultantpreparingthedocumentation.
BasedonthisPilotProjectstudy,thefollowingrecommendationsaremadeforMn/DOT:
Thisprojectwouldnotbeagoodcandidatetotrytopursuecertification.Wheredocumentationdoesnot
currentlyexist,itwouldnotbedifficulttocreateretroactivelyifdonesoon.Projectsthatareinthedesign
phasecouldbetailoredtoincludespecificcreditmaterialfromGreenroadsandrequiredocumentationas
mentionedintheGreenroadsManual.Anyprojectswhichcouldeasilyincludesustainablestormwater
treatmentoralternativetransportationmodescouldmakegoodcandidates.
IfMn/DOTwouldliketoachievecertificationatorabovetheSilverlevel,additionalefforttowardsseveral
sustainablepracticeswouldberequired.Toreachtheselevels,Mn/DOTwouldlikelyincursomeadditional
contractcosts.However,thesecreditsthatincuradditionalcontractcostsoftencanreducelifecyclecosts.
Wheredocumentationdoesnotcurrentlyexist(suchasfortheProjectRequirements),itwouldnotbedifficult
tocreateretroactivelyifdonesoon.
Manypotentialpoints,andthereforeGreenroadsachievementlevels,aredependentoncontractspecifications
orcurrentownerpolicy.Anychangestotheseareultimatelymadeatowneragencydiscretion.Thisis
especiallytrueforconstructiontrackingdocuments.Ingeneral,itisexpectedthatsmallchangesin
requirementstocontractdocumentsinordertoincorporateselectGreenroadsstandardswouldnotadd
significantlytothecontractprice.OtheragencieshavecreatedseparateGreenroadsProjectManualsor
Specificationsthatwouldbeincludedwiththecontractdocumentsinthebidprocessforprojectspursuing
Greenroadscertification.Mn/DOTcoulddecidewhichcreditsshouldbepursuedandcreateasimilar
document.
MorePilotProjectsorcasestudiesofvaryingprojecttypesareneededtobetterreflectcurrentMn/DOT
sustainabilitypractices.

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Thefollowingsectionprovidesadescriptionoftheproject.Table2belowsummarizeskeyprojectinformation.
Table2:ProjectInformation
SDOTProject
Status
Designer PrimeContractor
Pavement ConstructionCost
T.H.95Mill&Overlay
Complete
URS
HardrivesInc.
HMA
$4.84mil

TheT.H.95Mill&OverlayProjectislocatedNortheastofMinneapolis,Minnesota.Therouterunsparalleltothe
St.CroixRiverandtheMinnesotaWisconsinborderandprovidesaccesstotheWilliamOBrienStateParkandSt.
CroixNationalScenicRiverway.Theprojectbegins0.16milesnorthofT.H.97inScandia,MNandends0.7miles
SouthofNelsonStreetEastinStillwater,MN.
Theprimarypurposeofthisprojectwasresurfacing.Ahotmixasphalt(HMA)millandfilloverlaywasperformed
foramajorityofthepavement.ImprovedstormsewersystemswereinstalledandinStillwaterimprovements
weremadetothepedestrianfacilities.

Figure1:ProjectLocation

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CREDIT DISCUSSION BY CATEGORY

ThissectioncontainsadetailedreviewofcreditsthatwouldbeawardedandnotawardedtotheT.H.95Mill&
OverlayprojectforGreenroadscertification.Creditintentwillnotbediscussed;thereaderisreferredtothe
GreenroadsManualforthesedetails.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS (PR)

AnumberoftheserequirementscannearlybeachievedbyMn/DOTprojectsduetocurrentcitycodesand
documentation,butmostwouldrequireadditionaldocumentation.
PR1EnvironmentalReviewProcess
TheCategoricalExclusionDeterminationdocumentwasprovidedthatshowsthatanenvironmentalreview
processhadbeencompletedfortheproject.Unfortunatelyitdoesnotcoveralltherequirementsdescribedin
thecredit.Particularlyitdoesnotdescribethepublicinvolvementopportunityintheenvironmentalreview
processanddescriptionoftheenvironmentaldecisionsthatweremade.Itwouldrequireverylittleeffortto
achievethisprojectrequirement.
PR2LifecycleCostAnalysis(LCCA)
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit
PR3LifecycleInventory(LCI)
NotAttempted
PR4QualityControlPlan
Thestatehasamaterialscontrolschedulewhichdetailswhattestingandinspectionsarerequiredfor
materials.Thisdescribesboththerequiredcontractorqualitycontroltestingandtheagencyacceptance
testing.Thisisonlypartofwhatisrequiredtomeettherequirementsofthiscredit.TheQCPwouldhaveto
alsoincludewhencorrectiveactionisrequiredandwhatprocedureswillbeimplementedforcorrectiveaction.
Thematerialscontrolscheduleisavailablehere:http://www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/labmcs.html.
PR5NoiseMitigationPlan
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit
PR6WasteManagementPlan
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit
PR7PollutionPreventionPlan
ThesiteplansincludedaStormwaterPollutionPreventionPlanNarrativesheetthatdescribedmanyofthe
itemsthatarelistedontheactualSWPPP.Acopyoftheactualplanwouldneedtobesubmittedforcredit.
PR8LowImpactDevelopment(LID)
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit
PR9PavementManagementSystem
TheMinnesotaDepartmentofTransportationtracksitsroadswithaPavementManagementSystem.Mn/DOT
driveseveryroadeachyearforconditionsevaluation,whichisbetterthantheGreenroadsrequirementof
measuringpavementconditionatleasteverytwoyears.Thissystemalsoincludesseveralmeasuresto
determinetheremaininglifeofeachroad.Itwasnotclearifpreservationeffortswererecordedsomewherein
thepavementmanagementsystem.Documentationavailableat:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/pvmtmgmt.html.

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PR10SiteMaintenancePlan
InformationwasprovidedintheSpecialProvisionsbutastandalonesitemaintenanceplanwasnotprovided.
PR11EducationalOutreach
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit.Aprojectwebsitewasavailableatthetimeoftheprojectbutit
isnolongeractive.Itwouldbeveryeasyfortheprojecttomakepresentationsorinstallasignifitwasactively
seekingGreenroadscertification.

ENVIRONMENT & WATER (EW)

Ingeneral,limiteddocumentationwasavailabletojustifyawardofcreditsinthiscategoryforthisproject.Basic
drainageinformationisnotreadilyavailableonprojectwebsites.Additionally,manyofthesepracticesarebeyond
currentenvironmentalstandards.Otherpractices,suchasimprovementsforhabitatorconnectivity,aretypically
difficultforurbanprojectstoachieve.Notethatthisdifficulty,however,doesnotmeanthatsuchcreditscannot
beachieved.
EW1EnvironmentalManagementSystem
NodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscreditanditisunlikelythatthecontractorhasISOcertification.
EW2RunoffFlowControl
AdocumentforCategoricalExclusionDeterminationwassubmitted.Thisdocumentationdoesnotcompute
the90thpercentileaverageannualrainfalleventrunoffvolumesanddoesnotcomputethepercentageof
predevelopmentflowrateandtotalrunoffvolumeachieved.Aprojectdrainagedesignreportwouldneedto
besubmitted,withallthelistedrequirements,inordertoachievethiscredit.Theinstalledstormsewer
improvementsmayhavebeensufficienttoreceivethefullthreecredits,butthisisnotknowngiventhe
documentationprovided.
EW3RunoffQuality
TheCategoricalExclusionDeterminationdocumentdoesnotdemonstratethatprojectBMPsmeetthe
requirementsofthiscredit.Aprojectdrainagedesignreportwouldneedtobesubmitted,listingBMPs
installed,thedesignTSSremovalefficiencies,andstatetheachievedpercentageofwatertreatment.The
installedstormsewerimprovementsmaybesufficienttoreceivefullcreditbutthisisunknowngiventhe
documentationprovided.
EW4StormwaterCostAnalysis
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Thiscredittypicallycanbecompletedfornoadditionalcostto
thecontractprice;however,minimaladditionaltimeduringprojectdesignwouldbeneeded.
EW5SiteVegetation
Theprojectplansdescribetherequirementsforplantinstallationbutdidnotincludeinformationregarding
noninvasivespecies,nativeplantspecies,ornowateruse.
EW6HabitatRestoration
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Thiscreditwaslikelyoutofscopeasdefinedbytheproject,but
couldstillbeachievedandmaybeverypracticalforsomeprojects,especiallythoseindesignated
EnvironmentallyCriticalAreasorprojectswithasignificantbudget.Thiscredittypicallyaddsadditionalcostto
theprojectinbothdesignscopeandconstructionprice.
EW7EcologicalConnectivity
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Thiscreditwaslikelyoutofscopeasdefinedbytheproject,but
couldstillbeachievedandmaybepracticalinsomecaseswhereecologicalimprovementscouldbecompleted

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intandemwithroadwork.Thiscredittypicallyaddsadditionalcosttotheprojectinbothdesignscopeand
constructionprice.
EW8LightPollution
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Thiscreditwasoutsideofthescopeofthisproject,aslighting
wasnotincluded.

ACCESS & EQUITY (AE)

Projectsinurbanenvironmentstypicallyscoreverywellinthiscategory.Thisprojectincludedaportionofhighway
throughthetownofStillwater,whichhelpsforsomeoftheitemstopotentiallybeachieved.
AE1SafetyAudit
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Itispossiblethatthiscredithasbeencompletedforthisproject
butthatdocumentationwasnotprovided.Thiscredittypicallyaddsapremiumtotherespectivephasepriceif
completedduringdesign,constructionorpostconstruction.
AE2IntelligentTransportationSystems
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit.Itwouldbequiteeasyforaprojectsuchasthistoachievea
fewoftheITScategories,suchasTravelerInformationorWarningSystems.IfITSitemswereinstalled,alistof
themwouldneedtobesubmittedalongwithaphotographoftheinstalleditems.
AE3ContextSensitiveSolutions
Mn/DOTprovidedawebsitethatindicatedthatCSSisconsideredonsomeoftheirprojects.Itwasnotclearif
anactualCSSanalysisisnormallycompletedonprojectsandiftheyare,whichofthe10pointsinAE3would
bemet.ForthepurposesofthiscreditpointsarebeinggivenontheintentofperformingCSS,butforactual
certificationaproperCSSdocumentwouldneedtobeprovided.
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/strategicplan/status/css.html.
http://contextsensitivesolutions.org/content/gen/stateprofiles/MN
AE4TrafficEmissionsReduction
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit.
AE5PedestrianAccess
ThisprojectwouldearnonepointfortheimprovementsmadetothepedestrianfacilitiesintheCityof
Stillwater.Theseimprovementsareprimarilytheinstallationofcrosswalkrampswithtruncateddomepanels
andnewstriping.Toearnthiscreditforofficialcertification,theprojectwouldhavetoearntheAE3Context
SensitiveSolutionscreditwithsubmissionofaCSSwhitepaper.
AE6BicycleAccess
Thisprojectdidnotattempttoimprovebicycleaccess.Smallportionsofabikepathwererepavedbutthiswas
donebecausesmallpartswereremovedtoinstallthenewstormseweritems.Anyadditionstotheexisting
bikepathwouldachievetwopointsalongwithCSSdocumentationandsomehowimprovingorresurfacingthe
existingbikelanecouldearnonepoint.
AE7TransitandHOVAccess
ThiscreditisnotapplicabletothisprojectbecausethereisnotpublictransitintheareaandinstallationofHOV
facilitiesisnotpracticalforthiscorridor.
AE8ScenicViews
Thiscreditwasnotpursued.ThiscreditwaspossibleastheroadfollowstheSt.CroixNationalScenicRiverway
andwouldlikelyprovidegoodopportunityforscenicpullouts.

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AE9CulturalOutreach
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit.Itislikelythisprojectiswithin10milesofaregisteredhistoric
placeandcouldearnonepointwiththeinstallationofinformationalinfrastructure.Theprojectcouldalso
dedicateatleast1%oftheprojectbudgettoart,butthiswouldlikelyincreasethecontractprice.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES (CA)

Documentationhasnotbeenprovidedforanyofthecreditsinthiscategory.Itispossiblethatoneortwoofthese
itemswerecompletedbutcreditcannotbeawardedwithoutdocumentation.
CA1QualityManagementSystem
NodocumentationwasavailableforthiscreditthatcouldshowISOcertification,acontractorQMSdocument
orofaMalcolmBaldridgeNationalQualityAward.ItislikelythatMn/DOTalreadyrequirescontractorsto
submitaQMSfortheirprojects.
CA2EnvironmentalTraining
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.
CA3SiteRecyclingPlan
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Asiterecyclingplanwouldmostlikelybeincludedwitha
WasteManagementPlanforaproject,ifoneexists.
CA4FossilFuelReduction
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.
CA5EquipmentEmissionReduction
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Thiscreditisnottypicallyachievablewithcontractorsexisting
equipmentfleets.Itwouldtakesignificantchangestoearnthiscredit.
CA6PavingEmissionReduction
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Itispossiblethatthepaversusedforthisprojectmetthe
requirementsofthiscredit.Thisistypicallyanoorlowcostadditiontotheprojectcontractprice.
CA7WaterUseTracking
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Thiscreditistypicallyanoorlowcostadditiontoaproject.Itis
possiblethatwaterwasacquiredontheprojectprimarilyfromhydrantswhereawatermeterisoftenusedto
measureusage.Toearncredit,theprimecontractormustformallytrackwaterusethroughoutconstruction.
CA8ContractorWarranty
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Thiscredittypicallyaddsapremiumtotheconstructionprice.

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (MR)

TheMaterials&Resourcescategoryisthehighestscoringcategoryforthisprojectgiventheprovided
documentation.Pavementoverlayprojectstypicallydowellinthiscategorybecauseofrecyclingandreuseof
materials.
MR1LifecycleAssessment(LCA)
Thiscreditwasnotattempted.Thiscreditdoesnotaddtothecontractprice,butwouldincreasedesigncosts
sinceusuallythismustbedonebyanLCAconsultant.
MR2PavementReuse
Thisprojectearnsfourpointsforpavementreusebasedonmostoftheexistingstructureremaininginplace.
Thismillandfillprojectproposesa1.5inchsurfacemillfor87%ofthepavementanda2inchmillfortherest.
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Adescriptionoftheoriginalroaddesignsandanyrehabilitationovertimewereprovidedaswellassomecores
oftheroad.Thisinformationshowsanaveragepavementstructureofabout11.5inches.Accordingtothis
informationapproximately86%ofthepavementstructurewillbereused,whichwouldearntheprojectfour
points.Therewereafewotherareaswithcompleteremovaloftheroadwayforinstallationofstormsewer
items,butthiswouldmostlikelynotgreatlyaffectthecalculation.Notethatactualcalculationswouldbe
requiredshowingtotalareareusedifaprojectwereapplyingforGreenroadscertification.
MR3EarthworkBalance
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthiscredit.Itislikelythatthiscreditwasachievedbecauseitisanoverlay
projectbutproperdocumentationwouldneedtobeprovided.
MR4RecycledMaterials
Amixdesigndocumentwasprovidedthatshowsthemixdesigntobe30%RAP,whichwouldbegoodenough
toearntheprojectthreepoints.Toachievetheadditionaltwopoints,aspecialmixdesignwouldlikelybe
requiredandbeahighcostitem.
MR5RegionalMaterials
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthisproject.Itispossiblethattheprojectcouldhaveearnedsomepoints
forthis,especiallyifthepavingmaterialscamefromalocalsupplier.Itwouldnotbesurprisingifthisproject
earnedoneortwopoints
MR6EnergyEfficiency
Lightingwasoutsideofthescopeofthisproject.

PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGIES (PT)

T.H.95Mill&OverlaydidnotearnanyofthecreditsinthePavementTechnologiescategory.Specificinformation
wasnotavailabletoawardordenymanyofthecredits.Also,onecreditisnotpracticalforthisprojectduetothe
context.
PT1LongLifePavement
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthisproject.Thepavementdesigncouldhoweveralreadymeetthe
requirementsofthiscredit.Calculationsoftotalpercentageoftraffickedlanepavementsurfaceareathat
meetthelongliferequirementswouldneedtobeprovided.Thiswouldrequirecertainthicknessesforthe
expectedlifetimeESALsofthepavement.
PT2PermeablePavement
Permeablepavementwasnotusedonthisproject.
PT3WarmMixAsphalt
TheuseofWMAwasapprovedforthisprojectasapilotprojectforMn/DOT.Thiswasproposedbythe
contractorasameansofimprovingthecompactionabilityforacoollateseasonpavingjob.Itwasestimated
thatthiswouldcostanextra$33,000.
PT4CoolPavement
Nodocumentationwasavailableforthisproject.SinceaHMAoverlaywasusedfortheroaditseemsunlikely
thatthiscreditcouldbeobtainedwithoutachangeofdesignorsomesortofcolortreatment.
PT5QuietPavement
Quietpavementdoesnotappeartobeusedonthisproject.Itwouldlikelyrequiredamixdesignchangeto
achieve.

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PT6PavementPerformanceTracking
Nodocumentationwasprovidedforthiscredit.Mn/DOThasasystemfortrackingtheperformanceoftheir
pavements,butitwouldalsoneedtoincorporatetheconstructionqualitymeasurementsandcorrelatethe
datatomeetthiscreditsrequirements.ItispossiblethattheMn/DOTsystemalreadydoesthis,but
documentationprovideddidnotindicatethistobeso.

POTENTIAL CUSTOM CREDITS

TheT.H.95Mill&Overlayprojecthasnotproposedanynewideasthatcouldpotentiallybecomecustomcredits.
Noinformationwasprovidedindicatingthatanydesignorconstructionelementsbesideswhatisalreadyincluded
inGreenroadshelptopromotesustainablehighways.

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LIMITATIONS
1. ResultsfromthisPilotProjectstudyhavenotbeenreleasedtoanyoneoutsidetheGreenroadsdevelopment
teamatUWbecausetheywereoriginallyintendedforeducationalandinformationalpurposes.Uponreview,
Mn/DOTmaydecidehowitwishestopublicizethisproject,ifatall.
2. DifferentGreenroadsreviewersmayinterpretavailableinformationinaslightlydifferentmanner.Bestefforts
havebeenmadetobetransparentaboutlogicbehinddecisionstoawardanddenycreditsinthisreview.
However,notallsubjectivitymayhavebeenremoved.
3. PilotProjectstudyresultsarebasedonlyonprojectdocumentsprovidedtothereviewersandthosethatare
publiclyavailableonprojectwebsites.Thisreportprovidesonlyasmallglimpseofcurrenteffortsonaspecific
project,andthereforestudyresultsmaynotaccuratelyreflecttheactuallevelofeffortmadetoward
sustainabilitywithinMn/DOT.
4. Ifmissingdocumentationbecomesavailable,thisreportmayberevisedtoaccommodatenewinformationand
makecorrectionsasneeded.
5. Regulatoryrequirementstendtodictatemanyoftheactionsofmostroadwayprojectteamsand
transportationagencies.However,theintentofGreenroadsistoencouragebestpracticesthatgoaboveand
beyondexistingUnitedStatesregulationsandrequirements.Thismeansthatbasiccompliancewillnotearn
creditinGreenroadsunlesslocaljurisdictionalregulationsaremorestringentthanfederalrequirements.Alist
ofcurrentfederalregulatoryrequirementsisprovidedintheIntroductiontotheGreenroadsManual(Muench
&Anderson,2010).
6. Greenroadsiscontinuallyunderdevelopment.ThisstudywascompletedunderGreenroadsversion1.0.1,and
thisprojectmaynotscoreequivalentlyunderfutureversionsofGreenroads.

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REFERENCES
Anderson,J.L.(2008).Sustainabilityincivilengineering.Thesis(M.S.C.E.)UniversityofWashington,2008.
ContextSensitiveSoulutions.org.(2011).MinnesotaStateProfile.Availableat:
http://contextsensitivesolutions.org/content/gen/stateprofiles/MN
MinnesotaDepartmentofTransportation.(2010).MaterialsControlSchedule.AccessedJanuary24,2011.
Availableat:http://www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/labmcs.html
MinnesotaDepartmentofTransportation.(2010).Mn/DOTStrategicPlan.AccessedJanuary25,2011.Available
at:http://www.dot.state.mn.us/strategicplan/status/css.html
MinnesotaDepartmentofTransportation.(2010).PavementManagement.AccessedJanuary24,2011.Available
at:http://www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/pvmtmgmt.html
Muench,S.T.,Anderson,J.L.,Hatfield,J.P.,Koester,J.R.,&Sderlund,M.etal.(2010).GreenroadsRatingSystem
v1.0.1.(J.L.AndersonandS.T.Muench,Eds.).Seattle,WA:UniversityofWashington.
Sderlund,M.(2007).Sustainableroadwaydesign:Amodelforanenvironmentalratingsystem.Thesis(M.S.C.E.)
UniversityofWashington,2007.

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13

APPENDIX A
About the Greenroads Rating System

Greenroads Pilot Project

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ABOUT GREENROADS
ThissectiondetailstheGreenroadsSustainabilityPerformanceMetric,includingabriefbackgroundon
developmentofthesystem,theoperatingdefinitionofsustainabilityused,andabriefdescriptionofhowitworks
andcanbeimplemented.Moredetailedinformation,includingtheVersion1.0.1manualofrequirementsand
creditscanbefoundontheofficialGreenroadswebsite:http://www.greenroads.us.
ThelistofcreditsincludingabriefdescriptionisincludedattheendofthisappendixinTableA.1.

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.

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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.1.RelativeWeightsofGreenroadsVCCategories(Muenchetal.2010)

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TableA.1Greenroadsv1.0.1ListofCredits
No.
Title
Pts.
Description
ProjectRequirements(PR)Mandatoryforallprojects
PR1
EnvironmentalReviewProcess
Req Completeacomprehensiveenvironmentalreview
PR2
LifecycleCostAnalysis(LCCA)
Req PerformLCCAforpavementsection
PR3
LifecycleInventory(LCI)
Req PerformLCIofpavementsection
PR4
QualityControlPlan
Req Haveaformalcontractorqualitycontrolplan
PR5
NoiseMitigationPlan
Req Haveaconstructionnoisemitigationplan
PR6
WasteManagementPlan
Req HaveaplantodivertC&Dwastefromlandfill
PR7
PollutionPreventionPlan
Req HaveaTESC/SWPPP
PR8
LowImpactDevelopment(LID)
Req CompleteaLIDfeasibilitystudy
PR9
PavementManagementSystem
Req Haveapavementmanagementsystem
PR10
SiteMaintenancePlan
Req Havearoadsidemaintenanceplan
PR11
EducationalOutreach
Req Publicizesustainabilityinformationforproject
Environment&Water(EW)Upto21Points
EW1
EnvironmentalManagementSystem
2 ISO14001certificationforgeneralcontractor
EW2
RunffFlowControl
13 Reducerunoffquantity
EW3
RunoffQuality
13 Treatstormwatertoahigherlevelofquality
EW4
StormwaterCostAnalysis
1 ConductanLCCAforstormwaterelements
EW5
SiteVegetation
13 Usenativelow/nowatervegetation
EW6
HabitatRestoration
3 Restorehabitatbeyondwhatisrequired
EW7
EcologicalConnectivity
1or3 Connecthabitatacrossroadways
EW8
LightPollution
3 Discouragelightpollution
Access&Equity(AE)Upto30Points
AE1
SafetyAudit
12 Performroadwaysafetyaudit
AE2
IntelligentTransportationSystems(ITS)
25 ImplementITSsolutions
AE3
ContextSensitiveSolutions
5 Planforcontextsensitivesolutions
AE4
TrafficEmissionsReduction
5 Reduceemissionswithquantifiablemethods
AE5
PedestrianAccess
2 Provide/improvepedestrianaccessibility
AE6
BicycleAccess
2 Provide/improvebicycleaccessibility
AE7
TransitAccess
15 Provide/improvetransitaccessibility
AE8
ScenicViews
2 Provideviewsofsceneryorvistas
AE9
CulturalOutreach
12 Promoteart/culture/communityvalues
ConstructionActivities(CA)Upto14Points
CA1
QualityManagementSystem
2 ISO9001certificationforgeneralcontractor
CA2
EnvironmentalTraining
1 Provideenvironmentaltraining
CA3
SiteRecyclingPlan
1 Haveaplantodivertwastefromlandfill
CA4
FossilFuelReduction
12 Usealternativefuelsinconstructionequipment
CA5
EquipmentEmissionsReduction
12 MeetEPATier4standardsfornonroadequip.
CA6
PavingEmissionsReduction
1 UsepaversthatmeetNIOSHrequirements
CA7
WaterTracking
2 Developdataonwateruseinconstruction
CA8
ContractorWarranty
3 Warrantyontheconstructedpavement
Materials&Resources(MR)Upto23Points
MR1
LifeCycleAssessment(LCA)
2 ConductadetailedLCAoftheentireproject
MR2
PavementReuse
45 Reuseexistingpavementsections
MR3
EarthworkBalance
1 Usenativesoilratherthanimportfill
MR4
RecycledMaterials
5 Userecycledmaterialsfornewpavement
MR5
RegionalMaterials
5 Useregionalmaterialstoreducetransportation
MR6
EnergyEfficiency
5 Improveenergyefficiencyofoperationalsystems
PavementTechnologies(PT)Upto20Points
PT1
LongLifePavement
5 Designpavementsforlonglife
PT2
PermeablePavement
3 UsepermeablepavementasaLIDtechnique
PT3
WarmMixAsphalt(WMA)
3 UseWMAinplaceofHMA
PT4
CoolPavement
5 Contributelesstourbanheatislandeffect(UHI)
PT5
QuietPavement
3 Useaquietpavementtoreducenoise
PT6
PavementPerformanceTracking
1 Relateconstructiontoperformancedata
CustomCredits(CC)Availableforallprojectsbasedoncontextandinnovation,subjecttoapproval
CC1
CustomCredit1
15 Designanewvoluntarycredit
CC2
CustomCredit2
15 Designanewvoluntarycredit

GreenroadsTotalPoints:
118

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APPENDIX B
Greenroads Scorecard