Greenroads

Rating sustainable road projects

Road construction is a more than $80 billion annual industry in the United States. Yet nothing comparable to the LEED rating system for buildings, or the Energy Star system for appliances, existed for highways and roads. Until now.

University of Washington researchers and engineering firm CH2M Hill have created Greenroads, a rating system for sustainable road design and construction. Environmental, economic and social impacts are included. The system outlines minimum requirements to qualify as a green roadway, including a noise mitigation plan, storm-water management plan and waste management plan. It also allows up to 118 points for voluntary actions such as minimizing light pollution, using recycled materials, incorporating quiet pavement and accommodating non-motorized transportation.

“To some, it has not been perceived to be that important, but more and more we’re finding the public is concerned about the environmental impact of roadways.”

Tim Bevan, west region technology manager at CH2M Hill

“The LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] system has been really successful and has achieved a lot,” said lead author Steve Muench, a UW assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. “Roads are a big chunk of the construction industry that has an opportunity to participate more fully in sustainability practices. I think there’s a lot of opportunity there.”

The rating system was developed over the past three years and the first complete version of Greenroads is now available at www.greenroads.us. The system can be used either for new road projects or for upgrades on existing roads. Greenroads’ have three main aims: to recognize companies already using sustainable methods; to provide a catalog of ideas for greener practices; and to offer an incentive for agencies and companies to build more environmentally friendly roads.

“This helps our industry become more sustainable and shows the public that we can deliver sustainable roadways,” said Tim Bevan, west region technology manager at CH2M Hill. “To some, it has not been perceived to be that important, but more and more we’re finding the public is concerned about the environmental impacts of roadways.”v

Work Truck Show Is Coming to St. Louis

For anyone responsible for truck fleets, the NTEA Show has a little bit of everything.

More than 65 companies will introduce new vocational trucks, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, vehicle components and a wide range of truck equipment at the Work Truck Show in St. Louis, March 10-12.

Thirteen of the world’s leading chassis manufacturers will exhibit. The show is held in conjunction with the 46th Annual National Truck Equipment Association Convention which begins – along with an educational conference and Green Truck Summit – on March 9.

The 50,000 square-foot show, America’s largest work truck event, showcases Class 1-8 vocational trucks and equipment.

This year’s show includes an all-day Fleet Management Symposium focused on financial and operational practices to reduce costs and increase shop labor productivity (March 9). Fleet managers are also invited to a training session and network lunch (March 11) focused on using data to manage fleet costs. Sessions include How to Avoid Costly Errors When Modifying Truck Frames; How to Maximize Tire Life-Cycles and Minimize Overall Cost; Fleet Management Survival Strategies for the Next Decade; Demystifying Weight Distribution Calculations for Work Trucks; Trailer and Towing Factors for Class 1-4 Trucks; Spec’ing Truck Chassis to Match Job Requirements and Optimize Performance; and I Have a Hybrid Truck in the Shop – Now What?

The Chinese are Coming — The Chinese are Coming