PILOT PROJECT REPORT

VERSION 1.0.1

14 TH STREET, MARKET STREET TO COLFAX AVENUE

CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, CO

Prepared by
Craig Weiland
11/03/2010

CONTENTS
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................4
ProjectDescription........................................................................................................................................................4
ResourcesConsulted.....................................................................................................................................................5
PilotProjectSummary...................................................................................................................................................6
CreditDiscussionbyCategory.......................................................................................................................................8
ProjectRequirements(PR).......................................................................................................................................8
Environment&Water(EW)...................................................................................................................................11
Access&Equity(AE)..............................................................................................................................................13
ConstructionActivities(CA)...................................................................................................................................17
Materials&Resources(MR)..................................................................................................................................19
PavementTechnologies(PT)..................................................................................................................................21
PotentialCustomCredits.......................................................................................................................................23
Recommendations.......................................................................................................................................................23
Limitations...................................................................................................................................................................23

FIGURES
Figure1:LocationMap..................................................................................................................................................5
Figure2:ProjectScorecard............................................................................................................................................7
Figure3:Typical14thStreetConfiguration..................................................................................................................15
Figure4:PavementReuseQuantities.........................................................................................................................20

TABLES
Table1:SummaryofRawScores*.................................................................................................................................6
Table2:SummaryofPotentialScoreswithNo/LowCostAdditions(Pot.Score)**.....................................................6
Table3:SummaryofMaximumScoreswithAllFeasibleAdditions(MaxScore)***....................................................7
Table4:ProjectRequirementsCategory.......................................................................................................................8
Table5:Environment&WaterVoluntaryCreditCategory.........................................................................................11
Table6:Access&EquityVoluntaryCreditCategory...................................................................................................13
Table7:ConstructionActivitiesVoluntaryCreditCategory........................................................................................17
Table8:Materials&ResourcesVoluntaryCreditCategory........................................................................................19
Table9:PavementTechnologiesVoluntaryCreditCategory......................................................................................21
Table10:PotentialCustomCredits.............................................................................................................................23

APPENDICES
AppendixA:AbouttheGreenroadsRatingSystem

Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

INTRODUCTION
ThisreportreflectstheresultsoftheGreenroadsPilotProjectfor14thStreet,MarketStreettoColfaxAvenue
ProjectfortheCityandCountyofDenver.TheresultsarepresentedusingtheGreenroadsProgressScorecard
supplementedbyadetailedcreditbycreditdiscussion.Recommendationsarealsoincludedforapplyingthe
Greenroadssustainabilityperformancemetrictotheproject.
PreparationofthePilotProjectinvolvedareviewofprojectdocuments,interviewswithprojectcontacts,anda
sitevisit.ForalistofresourcesusedtopreparethePilotProjectReport,refertotheResourcesConsultedsection.
Thefollowingsectionprovidesabriefprojectdescription.AdetaileddescriptionoftheGreenroadsRatingSystem
canbefoundinAppendixA,includingashortlistofGreenroadsProjectRequirements(PR)andVoluntaryCredits
(VC)forreference.AdescriptionofthePilotProjectmethodologyisprovidedinAppendixB,andsupporting
calculationsforcreditsearnedareprovidedinAppendixC.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Theintentofthisprojectistoenhancethepedestrianexperiencealong12blocksof14thStreetfromMarketStreet
toColfaxAvenueindowntownDenver(Figure1).Thenorthernsidewalkswillbewidenedto19feetandthe
southernsidewalkwillbewidenedto16feet.Thesidewalkareawillincludeseatingareas,elongatedplantersand
planterpots,trees,streetlighting,accentlightingandwayfindingsignage.Bulboutswillalsobeinstalledonthe
southsidetominimizepedestriancrossingdistances.AnonstreetbikelanewillbeaddedtoconnecttheCherry
CreektrailandCivicCenterPark.TheroadwaypavingwillconsistprimarilyofHMAmillandoverlayandfulldepth
HMAreplacementwherenecessary.
Theprojectisa$14millionbondprojectasapublic/privatepartnership,with$10millionpublic(BetterDenver
BondFunds)and$4millionprivate(14thStreetGeneralImprovementsDistrict).Theconstructioncontracthasnot
yetbeenawarded.Thisreportservesasaninitialdesignandspecificationreviewtoevaluatehowtheproject
wouldscoreinGreenroadsV1.0ifallgoesasplanned.

November 3, 2010

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Greenroads Pilot Project

Figure1:LocationMap

RESOURCES CONSULTED
ThefollowingresourceswereusedtopreparethisPilotProjectreport.

FinalBidDocuments
DocumentsrequiredbyGreenroadspreparedbyParsonsBrinckerhoffincluding:
o MasterGreenroadsDocumentwithcreditbycreditdescriptions
o 14thStreetContractorSustainabilityRequirements
o Backupdocumentationforeachcreditpursued

November 3, 2010

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Greenroads Pilot Project

PILOT PROJECT SUMMARY

The14thStreet,MarketStreettoColfaxAvenueprojectcurrentlymeets10ofthe11GreenroadsProject
Requirements(PR).InordertoofficiallyachievealevelofcertificationinGreenroads,all11ProjectRequirements
mustbecompletedanddocumented.
ThisprojectscoresverywellintheEnvironment&Water,Access&Equity,andConstructionActivitiessections.
However,theConstructionActivitiessectionmostlyconsistsofitemsthatcannotbeverifieduntilproject
completion.Specificationshavebeenincludedtohavethecontractorachievethesecreditsbutverificationof
theseactionsmustbebasedonactualcontractorperformance.Forthepurposesofthisreview,creditsthatare
describedinspecificationstobeachievedareshownasachieved.Areviewofprojectdocumentationattheendof
constructionwilldeterminewhetherornotthesecreditswereachieved.Severaladditionalpointswereproposed
asCustomCredits(CC)forinnovativepracticesemployedontheproject.Themeritsofeachofthesearediscussed
somewhatintheCustomCreditssectionofthisreport,willbediscussedfurtherwiththeProjectManagersandare
notshownascurrentlyachieved.TheseCustomCreditswillbescoredasachievedwhentheyareapprovedtobe
includedintheGreenroadsRatingSystem.Someofthevoluntarycreditswerenearlyachievedastheyare
currentlyspecifiedandcouldbeachievedwithminimaladditionaleffort.
Tables13summarizetheresultsofthisGreenroadscasestudy,whileFigure2showsthecompletescorecard.
NotethatPRsdonotcarryapointvalue,andtheydonotaddtothetotalpossiblescore(118VCpoints).For
reference,minimumscoresforGreenroadsachievementlevels,includingsatisfyingall11PRs,areasfollows:

Certified:
Silver:
Gold:
Evergreen:

32points
43points
54points
64points

Insummary,the14thStreet,MarketStreettoColfaxAvenueprojectpreliminarilyscoresintheSilvercategory,
providedallthatisspecifiediscompletedandcouldlikelyreachgoldwithminorchanges.ReachingEvergreenis
possiblebutwouldrequiremoreeffortinvolvingactivitiesthatwouldrequiresomeredesign(lighting,pavements,
etc.)orothersubstantialeffort.
Table1:SummaryofRawScores*
ProjectName
PR EW

AE

CA

MR

PT

CC

14thSt.,MarkettoColfax
TotalPossible

14
30

12
14

2
23

5
20

0
12

10
11

10
21

RawScore
43
120

Eligible? AwardPotential
No

Silver

*RawScoresmaynotaccuratelyreflectprojectachievementsduetolackofsupportinginformationordocuments.Thesecanbeinterpretedas
bareminimumscores,especiallyintheProjectRequirements(PR)category.

Table2:SummaryofPotentialScoreswithNo/LowCostAdditions(Pot.Score)**
ProjectName
PR EW AE CA MR PT CC Pot.Score
14thSt.,MarkettoColfax
TotalPossible

11
11

15
21

21
30

12
14

10
23

13
20

0
12

63
120

Eligible? AwardPotential
Yes

Gold

**Pot.ScoresdonotincludeanyadditionalpointsforCustomCredits,thoughthesearealltheoreticallypossible.Thesepointsarenotincluded
sothatscoresarenotinflatedartificially.ThescorecardsinAppendixCshowthetotalscoreincludingCCs.

November 3, 2010

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Greenroads Pilot Project

Table3:SummaryofMaximumScoreswithAllFeasibleAdditions(MaxScore)***
ProjectName
PR EW AE CA MR PT CC Max Score
14thSt.,MarkettoColfax
TotalPossible

11
11

15
21

27
30

14
14

22
23

16
20

12
12

106
120

Eligible? AwardPotential
Yes

Evergreen

***MaxScoresdoincludethefullpointsforallCustomCredits.Includingthesepointsinflateseachprojectscore,butdoesnotchangethe
overallachievementlevel;thisisintendedtodemonstratetherangeofpointspossibletoeachproject.

PointTotals
A = Achievedbythisproject
P = Potentialachievablewithlowadditionaleffort
M = Maximumachievableregardlessofcost

Credit Scorecard
ProjectRequirements(PR)
PR1 EnvironmentalReviewProcess

Possible A
Req
PR2 LifecycleCostAnalysis
Req
X
PR3 LifecycleInventory
Req
X
PR4 QualityControlPlan
Req
X
PR5 NoiseMitigationPlan
Req
X
PR6 WasteManagementPlan
Req
X
PR7 PollutionPreventionPlan
Req
X
PR8 LowImpactDevelopment
Req
X
PR9 PavementManagementSystem
Req
X
PR10 SiteMaintenancePlan
Req
X
PR11 EducationalOutreach
Req
X
Total
11 10
Environment&Water(EW)
Possible A
EW1 EnvironmentalManagementSystem
2
2
EW2 RunoffFlowControl
1 3
3
1 3
3
EW3 RunoffQuality
EW4 StormwaterCostAnalysis
1
1
EW5 SiteVegetation
1 3
1
EW6 HabitatRestoration
3
0
EW7 EcologicalConnectivity
1 3
0
EW8 LightPollution
3
0
Total
21
10
Access&Equity(AE)
AE1 SafetyAudit
AE2
AE3
AE4
AE5
AE6
AE7
AE8
AE9

Possible A
1 2
0
IntelligentTransportationSystems 2 5
3
ContextSensitiveSolutions
5
5
TrafficEmissionsReduction
5
0
PedestrianAccess
1 2
2
1 2
2
BicycleAccess
Transit&HOVAccess
1 5
0
ScenicViews
2
0
CulturalOutreach
1 2
2
Total
30
14

ConstructionActivities(CA)
CA1 QualityManagementSystem

2
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
12

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
2

A
0
0
0

P
0
0
0

M
2
5
0

2
0
0
2

1
2
5
8

2
3
0
12

PavementTechnologies(PT)
PT1 LongLifePavement
PT2 PermeablePavement
PT3 WarmMixAsphalt
PT4 CoolPavement
PT5 QuietPavement
PT6 PavementPerformanceTracking

Possible
5
3
3
5
2 3
1
Total
20

A
0
0
0
5
0

P
5
0
3
0
0

M
0
3
0
0
0

0
5

0
8

0
3

CustomCredit(CC)
CC1 UrbanHeatIslandEffect
CC2 TransitSafety
CC3 MaintenanceDistricts

Possible
5
2
5
Total
12

A
0
0
0
0

P
0
0
0
0

M
5
2
5
12

CA2
CA3
CA4
CA5
CA6
CA7
CA8

0
0
0
0
2
0
0
3
5

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

2
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
7

0
2
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
6

CertificationLevels
C = Certified (AllPRsand 32Points)
S = Silver (AllPRsand 43Points)
G = Gold (AllPRs and 54Points)
E = Evergreen (AllPRsand 64Points)

Possible
2
EnvironmentalTraining
1
SiteRecyclingPlan
1
FossilFuelReduction
1 2
EquipmentEmissionReduction
1 2
PavingEmissionReduction
1
WaterUseTracking
2
ContractorWarranty
3
Total
14

Materials&Resources(MR)
MR1 LifecycleAssessment
MR2 PavementReuse
MR3 EarthworkBalance
MR4 RecycledMaterials
MR5 RegionalMaterials
MR6 EnergyEfficiency

Possible
2
4 5
1
1 5
1 5
5
Total
23

All11PRMet?
GreenroadsTotal
CertificationLevel

108

No Yes Yes
43 71 106

E
E

Figure2:ProjectScorecard

November 3, 2010

Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

CREDIT DISCUSSION BY CATEGORY

Thissectioncontainsadetailedreviewofcreditsawardedandnotawardedtothe14thStreet,MarketStreetto
ColfaxAvenueproject.Creditintentwillnotbediscussed,andthereaderisreferredtoAppendixAforthese
details.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS (PR)

Thisprojectmet10of11ProjectRequirements.TheseareoutlinedinTable4.
Table4:ProjectRequirementsCategory
RequirementsMet
RequirementsNotMet
No.

Title
No.
Title
PR2 LifecycleCostAnalysis(LCCA)
PR1
EnvironmentalReviewProcess
PR3 LifecycleInventory(LCI)
PR4 QualityControlPlan*
PR5 NoiseMitigationPlan*
PR6 WasteManagementPlan*
PR7 PollutionPreventionPlan*
PR8 LowImpactDevelopment(LID)
PR9 PavementMaintenancePlan*
PR10 SiteMaintenancePlan
PR11 EducationalOutreach
*DenotesreferenceinStandardSpecifications,orinstitutionalbestpractice.
PR-1 Environmental Review Process
DETAILS
ThisProjectRequirementwasnotmetwiththesubmitteddocuments.ASustainabilityPlanningandCloseout
FormforProjectManagerswasprovided,whichincludesinformationontheprojectandkeyplayers,butdoesnot
includedescriptionsofthepotentialenvironmental,economicandsocialimpacts,theirsignificanceorthefinal
environmentaldecisionsthatweremade.Adescriptionofpublicworkshopsandbreakoutgroupsforpublic
inputontheprojectwasalsoprovided.
RATIONALE
TheprojectwasnotrequiredtofollowNEPAstandardsbecausenofederalfundingwasinvolvedandthestateof
Coloradodoesnothavesimilarprocessrequirement.Toachievethisrequirement,theprojectneedstodefinethe
impactsthattheprojectwillhave,thesignificanceoftheseimpacts,andthedecisionsthatweremadetomitigate
theseimpacts.
PR-2 Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)
DETAILS
RealCostsoftwarewasusedtoevaluatethepavementimprovementoptions.Ashortreportwasprovided,stating
theassumptionsmade,inputs,andtheoutcomeofananalysiscomparinganasphaltoverlayorafulldepth
concretereplacement.
RATIONALE
TheRealCostoutputwiththegiveninputsandassumptionssuggeststhatanasphaltoverlaywillhaveapresent
valuelifetimecostofapproximately$1.05millionwhileaconcreteroadwaywillhaveapresentvaluelifetimecost
ofapproximately$2.36million.
PR-3 Lifecycle Inventory (LCI)
DETAILS

November 3, 2010

Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Thisrequirementhasbeenmet,asresultsfromPaLATEV2.0havebeenprovidedfortheproject.Theinputpage
wasnotprovided(astheProjectRequirementrequests).
RATIONALE
ThePaLATEoutputindicatesthatoverthelifeoftheproject,7,248GJofenergywillbeconsumedand1,149,232
kgofCO2willbeemitted.Itwasassumedthatonlyatoplayerwillneedtobereplacedinthedesignlifeof15
YearsandthatRCM/RAPmaterialswillnotberemovedfromthesiteandwillbereusedwithintheprojectarea.

PR-4 Quality Control Plan

DETAILS
Completionofacontractorqualitycontrolplanisrequiredinthe14thStreetContractorSustainability
RequirementsdocumentthatistobeattachedtotheBidPackage.Thisdocumenttakestherequirementsdirectly
fromtheGreenroadsManual,sotherequirementwillbemet.
RATIONALE
ThesubmissionoftheQCPisrequiredbeforeconstructionandmustbeapprovedofbytheowner.
PR-5 Noise Mitigation Plan
DETAILS
AnoisemitigationplanhasbeencreatedaccordingtotherequirementsofPR5.Acopyofthelocalnoise
mitigationordinancewasalsoprovided.
RATIONALE
Thepreparednoisemitigationplanmeetsallofthe10requirementsforallofconstructionandincluding
subcontractorwork.
PR-6 Waste Management Plan
DETAILS
ThefollowinglanguagewillbeincludedintheProjectSpecificationsandBidFormsfortheprimecontractor:
ContractortocompleteaConstructionandDemolitionWasteManagementPlan(CWMP)thatwillinclude,ata
minimumthefollowing:Typeofconstructionwaste,expected(oractual)tonnage,costsandfeesforlandfills,
recoveryfacilities,andhauling,contactinformationofresponsiblepartyforhauling,destinationofwaste(e.g.
recyclingfacility,landfill,contractorsbackyard),contactinformationofresponsiblepartyfordisposalsite.This
planistobecompletedatthebeginningofconstruction.

RATIONALE
ThisstatementfollowsexactlytheGreenroadsrequirements,soPR6shouldbeachievedisspecificationsare
followed.
PR-7 Pollution Prevention Plan
DETAILS
TheCityandCountyofDenverrequiresthecompletionofaConstructionActivitiesStormwaterDischargePermit
(CASDP)foranyprojectsthatdisturbmorethan1acre.Sincethisprojectdisturbsmorethan1acreaCASDPwill
beacquired.Asapartofthispermittingprocess,aConstructionActivitiesStormwaterManagementPlan(CASMP)
willbecreated.TheCASMPistheequivalentofaSWPPP.
RATIONALE
SpecificationsrequirethecompletionofaCASMPwhichistheequivalentofaSWPPPandwillmeetthe
requirement.

November 3, 2010

Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

PR-8 Low-Impact Development (LID)

DETAILS
Soilboringdatawasprovidedforthisrequirementaswellasdescriptionsforthefollowingcategories:
topographicalassessment,soilsassessment,hydrologyassessment,siteevaluation,andLIDBMPs.Duetothe
urbannature,LIDoptionsarelimitedtowhateverwillfitintheROW,which,initsexistingstate,consistsofalmost
entirelyimpermeablesurfaces.
RATIONALE
TheLIDassessmentdeterminedthatmanyoptionswerenotfeasibleduetospaceconstraintsandduetothe
existingstructuresbeingalmostentirelyimpervious.Theyrecognizedtheuseofpermeablepaversandmore
vegetatedareastoincreasewaterqualityandreducerunoffvolume.Unfortunatelytheycannotuseporous
pavementsfortheroadwayastheCityofDenverdoesnthaveacurrentpolicyormeansformaintainingthese
pavements.Itwouldlikelycostsignificantlymoretoinstallporouspavements.

PR-9 Pavement Management Program

DETAILS
TheCityandCountyofDenverhasasysteminplaceforpavementmanagement.ItisthedTimsCTproducedand
managedbyDeightonAssociatesinToronto,Ontario,Canada.Adescriptionofthissystemwasprovidedasa
seconddocumentthatindicatesitcouldmeettherequirements.

RATIONALE
ThedTimsCTsystemhasthecapacitytomeetalltherequirementsofPR9,assumingthatconditionassessments
aretakenatleasteverytwoyears.

PR-10 Site Maintenance Plan

DETAILS
Documentationindicatesthatmultipleentitieswillberesponsibleformaintainingtheproject.Thisincludes
privatelandowners,theGeneralImprovementDistrict,BusinessImprovementDistrict,andtheCityandCountyof
Denver.Twoimprovementzoneswerecreatedfortheproject,thestandardzoneandpremiumzone.Base
improvementswillbeprovidedforbothzones,whileadditionalelementsthatsupportthevisionforthecorridor
willbeprovidedinthepremiumzone.Alistofeachitemwasproducedtoaddresstheresponsible
parties/organizations,schedule,methods,andfunding.Thisdocumentdoesnotspecificallysaywhatmethodswill
beusedforroadwayreplacementbutthishasbeenmentionedelsewhereinthedocuments,suchasintheLCCA
forPR2.FundingwasdescribedintheMasterGreenroadsdocumentprovided.
RATIONALE
AlloftheitemsintherequirementsareaddressedintheSiteMaintenanceTable,includingtheresponsibleparties,
maintenanceandreplacementscheduleandinotherdocumentsprovided.
PR-11 Educational Outreach
DETAILS
Foureducationaloutreachitemswereselectedforthisprojectasfollows:
1.

2.

Monumentsprovidingdirectionalsignagetodestinationsalongthecorridorwillbeinstalled.Greenroads
PilotProjectsignagewillalsobeinstalled.Theadditionofsignagewillrequirereviewandapprovalfrom
theCityandCountyofDenver
Atleasttwopresentationsabouttheprojectwillbegiventoareaschools,withthefocusontheaterand
publicart.

November 3, 2010

10

Greenroads Pilot Project

3.
4.

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

AtechnicalproposalonthecorridorisplannedattheASCEGreenStreetsandHighwaysConferencein
November2010.
Theresearchprojectcurrentlyunderwaycouldprovideaframeworkforareportontheexperienceof
workingthroughGreenroads.

RATIONALE
TheProjectRequirementrequiresthatthreeoftheseitemsbecompletedanddocumented.Thesefouritems
shouldmeetthisrequirement,providedthefollowingisprovideduponcompletion:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Photosoftemporaryandpermanentsignsinstalledintherightofway.
Copiesofeachpresentationandthetimeanddateofeachpresentationmadeatareaschools
AcopyoftheabstractalongwiththepresentationfortheASCEGreenStreetsandHighwaysConference.
Acopyofthecompletedcasestudy

ENVIRONMENT & WATER (EW)

Thisprojectearned10ofthe21pointsavailableinthiscategory.Amajorityofthecreditsearnedarerelatedtothe
useofpermeablepaversanddecreasedareaofimpermeablesurfaces.Thecreditsearnedinthiscategoryare
outlinedinTable5.
Table5:Environment&WaterVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
No.

Title
No.
EW1 EnvironmentalManagementSystem
EW6
EW2 RunoffQuantity
EW7
EW3 RunoffQuality
EW8
EW4 StormwaterCostAnalysis
EW5 SiteVegetation

CreditsNotEarned
Title
HabitatRestoration
EcologicalConnectivity
LightPollution

EW-1 Environmental Management System

DETAILS
ParsonsBrinckerhoffswillbeservingastheconstructionmanagementfirmfortheproject.ParsonsBrinkerhoff
suppliedtheircurrentISO14001:2004certificatetomeetthiscredit.

RATIONALE
TheconstructionmanagementfirmisappropriatelyISOcertifiedtomeetthecredit.Thedocumentdoesindicated
recertificationrequiredJuly8,2010.Therecertificationwouldneedtobeverifiedtoearnthiscredit.
EW-2 Runoff Flow Control
DETAILS
StormwatercalculationswereprovidedforbothEW2andEW3.Thesecalculationsindicatedthattheinitialflow
conditionshavearunoffvolumeof31,935ft3,aflowrateof20.75cfs,andatimeofconcentrationof20minutes.
Theircalculationsindicatethatthenewflowconditionswillhavearunoffvolumeof29,400ft3,aflowrateof19.76
cfs,andasaturationrateof20minutes.Thesecalculationsarebasedoffofan80thpercentileaverageannual
rainfallevent,theequivalentofa2yearstormevent,whichismoreconservativethantherequested90th
percentileaverageannualrainfallevent.DocumentationisalsoprovidedforthedesignBMPs(permeablepavers
andUltraUrbanfilters)andtheexpectedflowcontrolperformancecriteria
RATIONALE
Thecalculationssuggestthatthenewdesignshouldhave105%ofthepredevelopmentflowcontrolandwillhave
smallerrunoffvolumeaswell,earningtheproject3points.
November 3, 2010

11

Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

EW-3 Runoff Quality

DETAILS
DocumentationindicatesthatallstormwaterrunoffwillbetreatedbytheinstalledBMPs.UNIEcostone
permeablepaverswillbeusedforinfiltrationandwillremoveallTSS.AbtechsUltraUrbanFilterswillbeinstalled
onalldrainageinlets.PerAbtechsspecifications,watertreatedbytheUltraUrbanFilterwillataminimumhave
theTSSreducedby50%.WiththeexpectedflowthrougheachoftheseBMPsitisexpectedthattherewillbeaTSS
reductionof25.6%inthetotaleffluent,withthetotalofalleffluentfromthesiteenteringCherryCreekbeing
18.98mg/L.
RATIONALE
TheTSSconcentrations,ascalculated,arelowenoughtomeettherequirementsofthiscreditand100%ofthe
runoffvolumewillbetreated.Aformaldrainagedesignreportwasnotprovided,aswouldberequiredfor
Greenroadscertification,butallofthecreditrequirementsweremettoachieve3points.
EW-4 Stormwater Cost Analysis
DETAILS
ALCCAspreadsheetwasprovidedshowingtheexpectedservicelife,constructioncosts,maintenancecosts,
interestrate,salvagevalue,andestimatedannualcostofthestormwatermanagementsystem.Theircalculations
indicatethatthetraditionalbelowgradewatertreatmentsystemwouldhaveanestimatedannualcostof$58,937,
whiletheLIDsystemwillhaveanestimatedannualcostof$43,872.
RATIONALE
Theprovidedspreadsheetshowsalloftherequirementsforboththetraditionalbelowgradestormwatersystems
andtheproposedLIDsystem,earningtheproject1point.
EW-5 Site Vegetation
DETAILS
ProvidedwereSiteVegetationPlantingSpecifications,aDenverCityForrestersOfficelistofapprovednoninvasive
treespecies,andtheSiteVegetationPlanSheets.TheCityandCountyofDenverhasarecommendedtreelistbut
donothaveasimilarlistforseeditems.
RATIONALE
Theystatethatallvegetationchosenfortheprojectisconsiderednoninvasive,butthattheprojectcannot
committonowateruseortheuseofonlynativeplantspecies.Thisearnstheproject1point.
EW-6 Habitat Restoration
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotachievedorattempted.
RATIONALE
Thiscreditisnotapplicabletothisprojectasitisinanentirelyurbanareathatnolongercontainsanynatural
habitats.Also,theprojecthasverylimitedspace,restrictedtothestreetrightofwaythatdoesnotcontainany
opportunitiesforoffsitehabitatimprovementanywhereneartheproject.
EW-7 Ecological Connectivity
DETAILS
Thiscreditisnotapplicabletothisurbanproject.
RATIONALE

November 3, 2010

12

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Greenroads Pilot Project

Awildlifeassessmentwasnotperformedfortheproject,asitisacompletelyurbanenvironmentandthereisnot
anynaturalwildlifeofconcerninthearea.Therearenocurrentwildlifecrossingareasandthereareveryfewif
anyvehiclewildlifecollisionsinthecorridor.
EW-8 Light Pollution
DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotachieved,astheinstalledlightinginnotDarkSkyCertified.Asdescribedbelowthelighting
systemwasdesignedusinglowwattagebulbsthatifconsideredseparateareundertherequiredmaximum
wattage.Thelampsarealsorequiredtobefullyshielded,whichcannotbeverifiedusingtheprovidedplans.
RATIONALE
TheluminairesthatwillbeusedalongtheroadwayarestandardXcelEnergyluminaires.Theluminaireshavethree
separatelights:twoforpedestriansandonefortraffic.Thetrafficlightsuselowerwattagebulbsthanarenormally
usedinroadwaylighting.ThestreetislocatedinthetheatredistrictofdowntownDenverandisheavilylighted
duringthenighttimehoursalready.DarkSkystandardsrequirethatluminairesarebelow250watts.Whilethe
totalwattageoftheluminaireson14thStreetis275watts,thepedestrianlightsare110wattsandtheroadway
lightis165watts.Thepedestrianlightsareeach55watt,3000K,QLinductionlampsystemwhichproduces3,500
initiallumens.

ACCESS & EQUITY (AE)

Thisprojectearned14ofthe30pointsavailableinthiscategory.TheprimaryimprovementtoAccess&Equityis
theinclusionofabikelaneandimprovedpedestrianfacilities.ThecreditsareoutlinedinTable6.
Table6:Access&EquityVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
No.

Title
AE2 IntelligentTransportationSystems
AE3 ContextSensitiveSolutions
AE5 PedestrianAccess
AE6 BicycleAccess
AE9 CulturalOutreach

No.
AE1
AE4
AE7
AE8

CreditsNotEarned
Title
SafetyAudit
TrafficEmissions Reduction
TransitandHOVAccess
ScenicViews

AE-1 Safety Audit

DETAILS
Thiscreditwasnotpursuedandnopointswereearned.
RATIONALE
TheCityandCountyofDenverPublicWorksstaffindicatedthattheyarenotfamiliarwithroadsafetyaudit
programsanddonothaveonethatmeetstheRSAguidelines.SincetheCitydoesnotadheretoFHWA
requirements,theydonotimplementprogramsofthistype.
AE-2 Intelligent Transportation Systems
DETAILS
ITSplanpageshavebeenprovidedshowingtheuseofthreeITSsystems.Thisissufficienttoearntheproject3
points.

RATIONALE
ThethreeITSsystemstobeinstalledare:
1) Category:TrafficControl;Application:BicycleandPedestrian
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Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Withtheadditionofadedicatedbikelaneonthestreet,newbicyclesignsandsymbolsareneeded.
Pages8285ofthe90%plans,whichwereprovided,showagraphicoftheproposedsignagelocations.
ThissignagewillreplacetheexistingSharetheRoadsignssincebicyclistscurrentlyrideinmixedtraffic.
2) Category:LaneManagement;Application:LaneControl
Twothroughlanesareproposedontheproject.Thethirdlanewillserveasaflexlane,withvehicles
allowedduringthepeakhourof4pm6pmand2hourmeteredparkingatallothertimes.Newsignage
willbeplacedalongthecorridortoinformusersoftheflexlanefunction.Plansheetsofthe90%plans
wereprovided.
3) Category:WarningSystems;Application:PedestrianSafety
Pedestriansignageandpedestriancountdownsignalswillbeaddedalongthecorridoratintersectionsto
ensurepedestriansafetyandmobility.90%plansheetswereprovided.Newpedestrianwarningsignage
isalsoplannedatStoutStreetwheretheexistingRTDlightraillinecrosses14thStreet.Thissignageisnot
yetintheplansbutwillbeinthebidsetonceapprovedbyRTDandtheCity.

Photosofeachsystemneedtobeprovided,onceinstalled,forcertification.

AE-3 Context Sensitive Solutions

DETAILS
ACSSwhitepaperhasbeencompletedfortheprojectthatdescribedthe10Greenroadslisteditems.ABicycle
PlanAccessSheet,PedestrianPlanAccessSheet,andStrategicTransportationPlanwerealsoprovidedinsupport
ofthewhitepaper,earningtheprojectfivepoints
RATIONALE
ThiswhitepaperdetailstheplanningprocessandaddresseseachoftheitemsaskedforinAE3.Formoredetails
seetheactualdocumentprovided.

AE-4 Traffic Emissions Reduction

DETAILS
Theprojectchosetomeet#1ofthethreelistedoptionstomeetthiscredit.TheCityandCountyofDenvers
GreenPrintDenverplanpublishedinJuly2006statesthefollowinggoal:

Completeupdatedinventoryofgreenhousegasesandbeginsubstantialprogresstowarda10%reductioninper
capitagreenhousegasemissionsfromthe1990emissionratebytheyear2012,inconformitywiththeU.S.Mayors
ClimateAgreement.
ThisgoalismoreaggressivethantheminimumGreenroadsrequirementofa10%reductionof1990valuesby
2030.ThefulldocumentwasprovidedtoGreenroadsforreview.
RATIONALE
Therequiredgreenhousegasemissionsstandardsarespecifiedtobemetbuttherewasnomentionofcriteriaair
pollutantsreduction,asrequired.Theprojectdoesnotmeeteitheroftheothertwooptionsforthiscredit,but
couldearnthefullfivepointsformeetingthefirstoptioniftheemissionsreductionregulationsalsoincluded
mandatesforcriteriaairpollutantreductionsbelowcurrentEPAstandards.Thiscouldbeeasilyachievedwitha
slightchangetothecityemissionsreductionplan.

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Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

AE-5 Pedestrian Access

DETAILS
DetailswereprovidedintheCSSwhitepaper(AE3,#7)forphysicalchangesthatweremadetotheroadwayto
providebetterpedestrianaccess.Theexistingroadwayconsistedof12footsidewalks,four11footthrough/turn
lanes,and8footparkinglanes.Thatisbeingchangedtotheconfigurationinthepicturebelow.

Figure3:Typical14thStreetConfiguration

ThismeansthatfouradditionalfeetwillbeaddedtothesidewalkontheNorthsideofthestreetandseven
additionalfeetwillbeaddedtotheSouthside.The19footwidthonthesouthsideincludesan8footpatiozone,
5footpedestrianzoneanda6footamenityzone.The16footwidthonthenorthsideincludesan8footamenity
zoneand8footpedestrianzone.Thewidersidewalkswillfacilitateoutdoordiningandwillprovideawider
pedestrianwalkspacewhilehelpingmeettheCityandCountys2004PedestrianMasterPlantohavesidewalksat
least16feetwidewherepossible.Extensivelandscapingwillbeconstructedprimarilythrough3060footplanter
boxes,andstreettreesintheplanterboxesandinseparatepaverareastocreateatrulyGreenStreet.Bulbouts
areplannedateachintersectiontoshortenthepedestriancrossingdistanceandtocalmtraffic.Publicinputwas
acquiredfromeachofthelandownersalongthecorridor,whowereinsupportofadditionalpedestrianfacilities.
Thecosttoinstallthesidewalkwith6inchesofPCCalongthecorridoris$739,765.

RATIONALE
Theprojectwouldearnthefulltwopointsforthewideningofsidewalks,crosswalks,andtheadditionofbulbouts.
Theplanterboxesandothersidewalkadditionshelptomakeitamoreenjoyablecorridorandhelptheprojectget
othercreditssuchasEW2andEW3.
AE-6 Bicycle Access
DETAILS
Theadditionofadedicatedbicyclelaneisoutlinedin#8ofAE3.Therewillbea5footwidededicatedbikelane
betweenthethroughlanesandthededicatedparkinglaneontheNorthside.Theexistingroadwaysimplyhas
bicyclessharingthethroughlaneswithtraffic,withsharrowsindicatingthepresenceofbicycles.
TheCherryCreekBikePathisaregionaltraillocatedalongCherryCreektwoblockssouthofthecorridor.The14th
Streetbikepathwillhelpfacilitateconnectionstothislargerregionaltrailaswellastothestripedlanes
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Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

intersecting14thatArapahoeStandGlenarmSt.Inaddition,anewbicyclelanecouldhelpfurthertheCitysgoal
toincreasethebicyclecommutetripsfrom1.6%(asdocumentedinthe2007AmericanCommunitySurvey)to10
percentby2018agoalstatedbyMayorHickenlooperandPublicWorksManagerBillVidal.Inadditiontothe
bicyclelaneitself,theprojectwillfund121bikerackstobeplacedalongthe12blocklengthofthecorridor.In
April2010,theCityandCountyofDenverrolledouttheBCycleprogram.Thisisacitywideinitiativetoplace55
sharedbicyclestationsacrosstheCity.Threeofthosestationswillbelocatedalong14thStreetoneat14thand
Larimer,oneat14thandChampa,andoneat14thandWelton(attheConventionCenter).

Publicinputhasbeenpositiveconcerningtheadditionofabikelane.Manyseetheneedtoconvertshared
bicycle/vehicularlanestodesignatedbikelanes.Stripingthebikelanewillbeanominaladditionalcostwhenthe
restoftheroadstripingisdone.Thepurchaseandinstallationofthe121bikeracksisexpectedtocost$75,000.

RATIONALE
Theprojectisperformingallthenecessaryanalysesandphysicalroadwaychangestoearnthefulltwopoints.The
dedicated5footlaneandconnectionstootherdedicatedbicyclefacilitiesmakethisavaluablepieceto
encouragingmorebicycleuse.

AE-7 Transit and HOV Access

DETAILS
Thisprojectdidnotimprovetransitroutesalongthecorridor.ThereareseveralbusroutesandtheRTDlightrail
thatcross14thStreetatvariousintersections.Theprojectdidtrytoimproveaccommodationsforthelightrailand
bussesbyaddingtactilewarningstrips,staticsignage,andrealtimeflashingwarningsignswherepedestriansneed
tocrossthelightrailtracks.Thebulboutsweredesignedwiththebusroutesinmindtoaccommodatecrossing
routesandnewlightingshouldimprovesafetyatcrossstreetbusstops.
RATIONALE
Thiscreditwasnotpursuedandisnotapplicablesincetherearenotransitroutesalongthecorridor.
AE-8 Scenic Views
DETAILS
Thisprojectisinanentirelyurbanareaandcannotachievethiscredit.TherearenoNationalScenicBywaysorany
equivalentneartheproject.
RATIONALE
Thiscreditisnotapplicable
AE-9 Cultural Outreach
DETAILS
Aminimumof1%ofthetotalprojectbudget($160,000)willbededicatedtopublicartinstallationsalongthe
roadwayrightofway.ThisisstandardforallpublicprojectsconductedwithintheCityandCountyofDenver.In
themonthsofMarchandApril2010,over250artistsrespondedtoacallforartistsforthecorridor.Eachartist
developedanideaforartalongthecorridor.PublicpresentationswereheldinApril2010toreviewandcomment
onthevariousideas.AnartistisanticipatedtobeselectedinSummer2010.

RATIONALE
Thiswouldearntheprojectthefulltwopoints.Photographsofthefinalinstalledartworkandacopyofthe
projectbudgetwouldneedtobesubmitted.

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Greenroads Pilot Project

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CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES (CA)

Forthiscategory,12ofthe14possiblepointswereearned.The14thStreetContractorSustainability
Requirementsdocumentasksthecontractortoachieveeachofthecreditsinthissection.Thesecreditsareall
contingentontheselectedcontractorcomplyingwiththeprojectspecificationsascurrentlywritten.Itispossible
that,throughchangeordersorothernegotiations,theserequirementswillchange.Thus,thesecreditsmustbe
verifieduponcompletionofconstructionbeforepointscanbeawarded.ThecreditsareshowninTable7.
Table7:ConstructionActivitiesVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
No.

Title
No.
CA1 QualityManagementSystem
CA2 EnvironmentalTraining
CA3 SiteRecyclingPlan
CA4 FossilFuelReduction
CA5 EquipmentEmissionReduction
CA6 PavingEmissionReduction
CA7 WaterUseTracking
CA8 ContractorWarranty

CreditsNotEarned
Title

CA-1 Quality Management System

DETAILS
Aprimecontractorhasnotyetbeenbidorselectedforthisproject.TheCityandCountyofDenverplanstohandle
theConstructionManagementoftheproject.ItispossiblethatParsonsBrinckerhoffcouldhavearolein
ConstructionManagement.AcopyofthePBISO9001:2008certificate(CertificateRegistrationNo.10001797
QM08)wasprovided.

RATIONALE
AssumingPBdoesendupperformingtheConstructionManagementoftheprojectthiscreditwillbeachieved.
CA-2 Environmental Training
DETAILS
ThefollowingdocumentationwasplacedintheContractorSpecifications:EnvironmentalTraining:Provide
constructionpersonnelwiththetrainingtoidentifyenvironmentalissuesandbestpracticemethodstominimize
environmentalimpact.UsedefinitionsperGreenroadsv1.0,CA2.Provideanenvironmentaltrainingplanandany
updatestotheplanthatoccurthroughouttheconstructionprocess.

RATIONALE
ThespecificationsweretakendirectlyfromGreenroadsV1.0,sothiscreditshouldbeachieved.
CA-3 Site Recycling Plan
DETAILS
AformforaSiteRecyclingPlanwasprovidedinthe14thStreetContractorSustainabilityRequirementsdocument
asdescribedinthiscredit.Itisalsospecifiedthatthecontractormustputthefollowingintosubcontractor
agreements:

"Thesubcontractorwillmakeagoodfaithefforttoreducetheamountofwastegeneratedonthejobsiteand
recyclematerialasperthecontractor'swastemanagementplan.Thesubcontractorwillfollowthedesignated
handlingproceduresforeachtypeofwastegeneratedonsiteandprovidedocumentationtoverifymaterialreuse,
recyclinganddisposalasindicatedinthewastemanagementplan."

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Greenroads Pilot Project

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RATIONALE
Thisdocumentshouldhelpreducetheamountofwasteproducedandmeettherequirementsofthiscredittoearn
1point.
CA-4 Fossil Fuel Reduction
DETAILS
Accordingtothewebsitehttp://findbiodiesel.org/US/CO/Denverninebiodieselstationsarelocatedwithin50
milesofDenver.Fiveofthosestationsarewithin10milesoftheprojectsiteinDowntownDenver.AsofJanuary
2010,theUSDepartmentofEnergywasreportingaveragecostsofB20tobe9centspergallonhigherthan
petroleumdiesel.Incontrast,B100fuelwouldbe72centshigherthandieselgasoline,whichisasubstantial
increase.Blendsof20percentbiodieselwith80percentpetroleumdiesel(B20)cangenerallybeusedin
unmodifieddieselengines.MostenginemanufacturersallowB5andsomeallowuptoB20undertheircurrent
warranties.Theowneriscommittingtoachievethiscreditbystatinginthe14thStreetContractorSustainability
RequirementsdocumentthattheprojectwillusealternativefuelsduringconstructionbyrequiringBiodiesel20in
allconstructionvehicles.Thiswouldensurea20%reductioninfossilfueluse.Theprimecontractormustsubmita
signedletterwiththefossilfuelreductionmeasuresusedandpercentagereductionachievedinadditiontoa
spreadsheetofallfuelused.
RATIONALE
Thoughthenecessarydeliverablescannotyetbeprovidedtheowneriscommittingtoachievingthiscreditby
includingcontractorrequirementsinthe14thStreetContractorSustainabilityRequirementsdocument.The
projectwouldachieve1point.
CA-5 Equipment Emission Reduction
DETAILS
Thefollowinghasbeenplacedinthe14thStreetContractorSustainabilityRequirements:Atleast50%ofthe
nonroadconstructionequipmentfleetoperatinghoursfortheprojectwillbeaccomplishedonequipmentwith
installedemissionreductionexhaustretrofitsandaddonfuelefficiencytechnologiesthatachievetheEPATier4
emissionstandard.Furtherdiscussionswiththecontractorfortheprojectwillbeneededtoconfirmthattheyare
abletomeettheTier4emissionstandardwiththeequipmentavailable.

RATIONALE
Thecontractorisbeingaskedtomeeta50%EPATier4requirementwhichwouldearntheproject1point.Upon
completionthesupportingdocumentationtoconfirmthecreditwasmetwouldneedtobesubmitted.Thiscredit
maybedifficulttoachievesincetherearecurrentlyfewnonroadvehiclesthatmeetEPATier4requirements.
CA-6 Paving Emission Reduction
DETAILS
A90%NIOSHemissionsapprovedpaverrequirementwasaddedtothe14thStreetContractorSustainability
Requirementsdocument.
RATIONALE
Thecontractorwillberequiredtomeetthiscredit,earningtheproject1point.Acopyofthiscertificationanda
signedstatementfromthepavingcontractorwouldneedtobeprovidedshowingthatthecreditwasmet.
CA-7 Water Use Tracking
DETAILS
Acontractorrequirementwasaddedtothe14thStreetContractorSustainabilityRequirementsdetailing
everythingthatshouldbeintheWaterUseTrackingDocument.
RATIONALE
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Greenroads Pilot Project

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ThecontractorrequirementsweredirectlyfromtheGreenroadscreditrequirementssothiscreditshouldearn2
pointsuponsubmissionofthefinaldocuments.
CA-8 Contractor Warranty
DETAILS
TheCityandCountyofDenverPublicWorksDepartmentrequiresthattheContractorswarrantiesandguarantees
areforathreeyearperiod.Title18(Section1801,Page68)oftheCityandCountyofDenversGeneralContract
Conditionsstatesthat:TheContractorswarrantiesandguaranteesforallWorkcomponentsshallcontinueforthe
followingperiods:ForContractsexecutedundertheauthorityoftheManagerofPublicWorks,foraperiodof
three(3)yearsafterthedateofFinalInspectionforWorkperformedwithinthePublicRightofWayorpermanent
easementsheldbytheCity,orforaperiodofone(1)yearafterthedateofSubstantialCompletionforWork
constructedoutsideofthePublicRightofWay,inaccordancewithGC1902,orforsuchlongerperiodoftimeas
maybeprescribedbythetermsofanyspecialwarrantiesandguaranteesrequiredbytheContractDocuments.
TheCitysGeneralContractConditionswereprovided.

RATIONALE
TheGeneralContractConditionsrequireawarrantyasdescribedinthiscreditandwouldearntheproject3points.

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (MR)

Forthiscategory,2ofthe23possiblevoluntarycreditsareearned.Theonlypointsearnedareforrecycled
materials.Itappearsthattheprojectcouldgetpointsforusingregionalmaterialsaswell,butuntilacontractoris
selectedandmaterialsareacquireditishardtoknow.ThesecreditsareoutlinedinTable8.
Table8:Materials&ResourcesVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
CreditsNotEarned
No.

Title
No.
Title
MR4 RecycledMaterials
MR1LifecycleAssessment(LCA)

MR2 PavementReuse

MR3 EarthworkBalance

MR5 RegionalMaterials

MR6 EnergyEfficiency
MR-1 Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)
DETAILS
Thiscreditwillnotbecompletedaspartofthisanalysis.ThehiringofaLCAcertifiedpersonorconsultantto
performthiscreditwasoutsideofthedesiredscopeofthisproject.

RATIONALE
Thiscreditwasnotattempted.
MR-2 Pavement Reuse
DETAILS
Thetotalproject,newpavement,andreusevolumesforbothasphaltandconcreteareshowninFigure4below.
Thetotalpercentageofreusedpavementintheprojectis47%.Theexistingconcreteandasphaltpavementwillbe
reusedwithintheprojectlimitswhereitisingoodconditionanddoesnotconflictwiththegradingofthe
proposedcurbandgutter.Asphaltpavementthatisreusedwillbemilledanda2inchoverlaywillbeaddedtothe
pavementtoprolongtheservicelife.Theconcretethatwillbereusedwillremaininplacewithnoadditional
changestoit.

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Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Figure4:PavementReuseQuantities

RATIONALE
Theprojectwillnotachievetheminimumrequirementof80%reusetoachieveanypointsandwouldneed
significantimprovementstoreachthat.
MR-3 Earthwork Balance
DETAILS
Thiscreditisnotapplicableastherewillbenocuttingandfillingoccurringfortheproject.

RATIONALE
Thiscreditisnotapplicable.
MR-4 Recycled Materials
DETAILS
ThefractionofrecycledmaterialswascalculatedusingOption2.Aspreadsheetthatdocumentsthetotalweightof
HMAandPCC,thetotalweightofrecycledmaterials,andthecomputedARCfortheprojectwassubmitted.The
ARCfortheprojectis24.61%.Acopyoftheapproveddesignmixforthepavementmaterialsisnotavailable.

RATIONALE
The24.61%recycledcontendwouldbegoodfor2points.Toearnthepointsacopyoftheapprovedmixdesigns
aswellasallsupportingtestdocuments(proportioningrecords,mixtickets,etc.)wouldneedtobesubmitted.
MR-5 Regional Materials
DETAILS
Acalculationwasdonebasedonoption1.Sincetheprojecthasnotgonetoadvertisementyet,aconstruction
contractorisnotinplace.Duetothis,theexactlocationofalloftheconstructionmaterialsisunknown.Outof
165constructionitems,thesourcelocationfor100ofthemisunknownatthistime.Fortheother65items,a
reasonableassumptionofthesourcelocationwasmade.Onceacontractorisinplace,thesourcelocationsofthe
materialsshouldbeknowntoagreaterextent.However,basedontheassumptionsmadeforthe65items,the
total%ofmaterialsourcedfromwithin50milesoftheprojectareais52%.Thecalculationssupportingthiscredit
wereprovided.

RATIONALE
Basedonthispreliminarycalculationtheprojectwouldnotreceiveanypointsbasedon52%ofthematerials
comingfromwithin50milesoftheproject.Itappearsfromthespreadsheetthatmostoftheknownmaterial
suppliersarefromwithina50milerangeandthatmanyoftheunknownmaterialscouldalsocomefromwithin50
miles.Itseemsthatpointscouldbeearnedforthisonceacontractissignedandmoreofthematerialsare
located.

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Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

MR-6 Energy Efficiency

DETAILS
Theluminaireson14thStreetdonotmeettherequirementsforthiscreditastheyarestandardinduction
luminairesbyXcelEnergy.
RATIONALE
Thiscreditwasnotpursued.

PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGIES (PT)

Forthiscategory,5ofthe20possiblevoluntarycreditswereearned.Theonlycreditearnedinthiscategoryis
CoolPavement.Thisisbecauseamajorityoftheimpermeablesurfaceareawillbeconcretesidewalks,whichhave
ahighalbedoandqualifyforcoolpavements.ThecreditsareshowninTable9.
Table9:PavementTechnologiesVoluntaryCreditCategory
CreditsEarned
No.

Title
No.
PT4
CoolPavement
PT1

PT2

PT3

PT5

PT6

CreditsNotEarned
Title
LongLifePavement
PermeablePavement
WarmMixAsphalt
QuietPavement
PavementPerformanceTracking

PT-1 Long Life Pavement

DETAILS
The14thStreetMarkettoColfaxAvenueFinalGeotechnicalandPavementReportwasprovidedforthiscredit.The
proposed14thStreetprojectincludesthereconstructingorupgradingofpavementbetweenMarketStreetand
ColfaxAvenuedependingonpavementcondition.Theconstructionwillconsistofmillingandoverlayor
reconstructingthepavementon14thStreetdependingontheconditionoftheexistingasphaltmatorconcrete
surfaceandnewstreetscapingimprovementsinadjacentareas.ThereportindicatesthatHMApavingforthe
mainline14thStreetnewpavementwillbe11.5inchesthick,intersectionswillbe12.5inchesthickandoverlay
sections.AllPCCsectionswillbepaved10inchesthick.TheHMApavementshavebeendesignedfor20yearlife
andPCCpavementswitha30yearlife,havinglifetimeequivalentsingleaxleloads(ESALs)of5,945,743and
9,236,838respectively.AccordingtoFigurePT1.1intheGreenroadsmanualthenewHMAsectionswilllikely
meetthelongliferequirement,assumingtheminimumsubgradeCBRandminimumbasematerialCBRaremet.
ThePCCpavementsdonotappearinitiallytomeettherequirements.SomeoftheHMAoverlaysectionsmay
meettherequirements,butitwillvarybyexistingpavementthickness.

RATIONALE
Inordertoachievethiscreditmorecalculationswouldneedtobedonetoshowthattheinstalledpavementsmeet
therequirements.BesidesthelifetimeESALcalculations,thesubgradeCBRandbasematerialCBRwouldneedto
beprovidedtoshowthattheminimumrequirementsweremet.Theprojectmaybeabletoachievethiscredit.
PT-2 Permeable Pavement
DETAILS
Acombinationofpermeablepavers(UNIEcoStone)andUltraUrbanfilterswillbeusedtocontrolandtreatthe
90thpercentileaverageannualrainfalleventpostconstructionrunoff.Thepaversandplanterscombinedwill
treat2,535ft3ofthetotalrunoffareaof31,935ft3.Thisrepresentsapproximately7.9%oftherunofftreated
throughpermeablepaversandplanters.Thus,thisisbelowthe50%minimumthresholdforthiscredit.
Documentationwasprovidedforthesecalculations.

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RATIONALE
Notenoughsurfaceareaistreatedbytheamountofpermeablepaversbeinginstalled.
PT-3 Warm Mix Asphalt
DETAILS
TheCityandCountyofDenverwillnotapprovetheuseofWarmMixAsphaltontheproject.Theywill,however,
allowtheprojectteamtoincludeavalueengineeringoptionforcontractorstouseWMAforpatchingandfull
depthpavement.IfWarmMixAsphaltisused,theCCDwillrequirethecontractortodoanumberofdurability
testsfortheWMApriortoapproval.Astatementtothiseffecthasbeenplacedinthe14thStreetContractor
SustainabilityRequirements.

RATIONALE
Thiscreditisnotcurrentlybeingpursued.
PT-4 Cool Pavement
DETAILS
Thisprojectwillhaveapavementsurfacewithaminimumalbedoof0.3for56.9%ofthetotalprojectpavement
surfacingbyarea,asshownbythefollowing:

BaseBid
TotalProjectPavedArea:41,654.98SquareYards(SY)
LSA(LightSurfaceArea):23,695.63SY
Project%CoolPavement:56.9%

Thiscalculationisnotbackedwithanyalbedotestresultscurrently.

RATIONALE
Accordingtothecalculationtheprojectwillmeetthe50%requirementforcoolpavements.Toachievethiscredit
albedotestresults,aphotoofthepavementwithcoolpavementareasidentified,andaplanshowingthelocations
ofcoolpavementswouldneedtobeprovided.
PT-5 Quiet Pavement
DETAILS
Thiscreditdoesnotapplybecausepostedspeedlimitsareunder30milesperhour.

RATIONALE
Thiscreditisnotapplicabletothisproject.
PT-6 Pavement Performance Tracking
DETAILS
TheCityhasapavementmanagementsysteminplace(describedinPR9PavementManagementSystem).
However,theCitydoesnothavetheresourcestoperformanetworkwideconditionassessmentontwoyear
intervals.TheCityconductsassessmentsbasedonmeasureddistressesinblocklongsegments.Theyassessstreets
every5or6yearsandthePMSsoftwareusesdeteriorationcurvestoprojectdecliningPCIvaluesannually.

RATIONALE
TheCityandCountyofDenverdoesnotcurrentlyhavetheresourcestoattainthiscredit.

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14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Greenroads Pilot Project

POTENTIAL CUSTOM CREDITS

ThreebestpracticesimplementedonthisprojectwereidentifiedaspotentialCustomCredits.Atotalof12
additionalpointsaresuggested.CC1wouldlikelyfitintheEnvironment&watercategorywhileCC2andCC3
wouldlikelyfitintotheAccess&Equity.SomeresearchhasbeencompletedbyParsonsBrinckerhoff,butthe
GreenroadsDevelopmentTeamwillneedrevieweachcredittoensuretheymeetthesamestandardsasother
credits.Ifthecreditsmeetthesestandards,theywillearnpointsforthisprojectandbeincorporatedintolater
versionsoftheratingsystem.Table10providesthecredittitlesandintent.
Table10:PotentialCustomCredits
No.
Title
Pts.
CC1 UrbanHeatIslandEffect 5
CC2 TransitSafety
2
CC3

MaintenanceDistricts

Description
Installvegetationtoreduceurbanheatislandeffect
Improvetransitsafetyattransitcrossingsand/orstopsinthe
roadwaycorridor.
Formamaintenancedistricttoensurecontinuedmaintenanceofthe
roadwayfacility

RECOMMENDATIONS

OnlyoneoftheProjectRequirementisnotcurrentlymet.TobecomeGreenroadscertifiedPR1Environmental
ReviewProcesswouldneedtobecompletedbydefiningtheenvironmentalimpacts,theirsignificance,and
howtheywillbemitigated.
AE4TrafficEmissionsReduction,MR5RegionalMaterials,andPT1LongLifePavementarecreditsthatseem
achievablewithlowadditionaleffort.Theprojectappearstobeontracktoachievethesecreditswithsome
minorchangesoradditionalcalculations.
Manyofthecreditsthatarecurrentlyshownasachievedstillrequiresubmissionofadditionaldocumentsupon
completionforproof.ThisincludesalmostalloftheConstructionActivitiescreditsbecausetheywillbe
performedduringconstruction.Carefultrackingofcontractorprogresswillberequiredtoensurethatthese
creditsareachieved.
TheproposedcustomcreditswillrequirefurtherresearchanddiscussionbetweenGreenroadsandtheproject
teamtoevaluatethemeritandvalueofeachproposedcredit.Theprojectscorecardcurrentlyshowsthe
customcreditsintheMaximumPossiblecategory,astheGreenroadsteamdoesnotwanttounfairlyshow
achievementthatmaynotprovetobepossible.Ifcustomcreditsareeventuallygranted,theywillonlyaddto
thetotalachievementshowninthisreport.

LIMITATIONS
1.

PilotProjectresultsarebasedondiscussionswithprojectpersonnelonlyandanyprojectdocumentsprovided
totheUniversityofWashingtonReviewTeam.Ingeneral,thisonlyshowshowtheprojectshoulddogiventhe
currentdesignandspecifications.Followupreviewsandadditionaldocumentationarenecessaryfor
certificationandtoreflecttheprojectssustainabilitypractices.

2.

Regulatoryrequirementstendtodictatemanyoftheactionsofmostroadwayprojectteamsand
transportationagencies.However,theintentofGreenroadsistoencouragebestpracticesthatgoaboveand
beyondexistingUnitedStatesregulationsandrequirements.Alistofcurrentregulatoryrequirementsis
providedintheIntroductiontotheGreenroadsManual(Muench&Anderson,2010).

3.

Greenroadsiscontinuallyunderdevelopment.Thisreviewhasbeencompletedundertheversion1.0.1rating
systemandmaynotscoreequivalentlyunderfutureversionsofGreenroads.Officialcertificationisnot

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Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

currentlyavailableunderversion1.0.1.Tocertifythisproject,itwouldneedtobereviewedunderversion1.5
whichisexpectedtobereleasedsoonandwillhavedifferencesfromversion1.0.1.
4.

DifferentGreenroadsreviewersmayinterpretavailableinformationinaslightlydifferentmanner.Bestefforts
havebeenmadetobetransparentaboutlogicbehinddecisionstoawardanddenycreditsinthisreview.
However,notallsubjectivitymayhavebeenremoved.

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24

APPENDIX A
About the Greenroads Rating System

ABOUT GREENROADS
ThissectiondetailstheGreenroadsSustainabilityPerformanceMetric,includingabriefbackgroundondevelopmentofthesystem,
theoperatingdefinitionofsustainabilityused,andabriefdescriptionofhowitworksandcanbeimplemented.Moredetailed
information,includingtheVersion1.0.1manualofrequirementsandcreditscanbefoundontheofficialGreenroadswebsite:
http://www.greenroads.us.
ThelistofcreditsincludingabriefdescriptionisincludedattheendofthisappendixinTableA.1.

BACKGROUND
Greenroadsisaresearchproject(Sderlund,2007)thatisjointlydevelopedbytheUniversityofWashington(UW)andCH2MHILL.
Greenroadsisacollectionofsustainabilitybestpracticesthatapplytoroadwaydesignandconstruction,muchliketheLeadershipin
EnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)RatingSystemforBuildingsthatisadministeredbytheUnitedStatesGreenBuilding
Council(USGBC).Ingeneral,thesesustainabilitybestpracticesaredividedintotwotypes:requiredandvoluntary.Thereiscurrently
onerequiredcategorywith11requiredbestpracticescalledProjectRequirementsorPRs.Atminimum,allofthesebestpractices
mustbecompletedinorderforaroadwaytobeconsideredaGreenroad.
WhatisaGreenroad?
AGreenroadisdefinedasroadwayprojectthathasbeendesignedandconstructedtoalevelofsustainabilitythatissubstantially
higherthancurrentcommonpractice.
WhatisSustainability?
Sustainabilityisthecharacteristicofasystemthatrepresentsitscapacitytosupportnaturallawsandhumanvalues.(Anderson,
2008;Muenchet.al,2010)
ProjectsthatregisterusingtheGreenroadswebsiteareeligibletoearnacertificationawardandwillbeabletodisplaythe
Greenroadslogoontheirprojecttorecognizetheirachievement.

STRUCTURE OF THE METRIC

Ingeneral,theGreenroadssustainabilitybestpracticesaredividedintotwotypes:requiredandvoluntary.Thereiscurrentlyone
requiredcategorywith11requiredbestpracticescalledProjectRequirementsorPRs.Atminimum,allofthesebestpracticesmust
becompletedinorderforaroadwaytobeconsideredaGreenroad.Thirtyseven(37)othervoluntarybestpracticesare
characterizedinfiveadditionalcategories,calledvoluntarycreditsorVCs.AfterthePRrequirementshavebeenmet,anumberof
differentVCsmaybeachievedandpointsmaybeearnedtowardoneoffourratings:Certified,Silver,GoldandEvergreen.
Additionally,asixthVCcategoryisavailabletoprojectsthatdemonstrateandimplementinnovativeideasormoresustainable
practicesandwouldliketowriteorsubmittheirowncustomizedornewideasforpoints.
FollowingisabriefdescriptionofthesevencategoriesinGreenroads.TherelativeweightsofthefivemainVCcategoriesareshown
inFigureA.1.
ProjectRequirements
Thiscategorycontainsall11ProjectRequirements(PR)thataGreenroadsprojectmustmeetinordertobeconsideredfora
certificationlevelaward.Thegeneralintentofthiscategoryistoencourageenvironmentallyresponsibledecisionmaking
processesandtohavemanagementplansinplaceforconstruction,andtoestablishaminimumbaselineforeveryprojectthat
appliesforcertification.
Environment&Water(EW)
Thiscategorycontainseight(8)voluntarycreditsworthupto21points.Theintentofthiscategoryistopromotebestpractices
relatedtostormwatermanagementandecologicalresourceswithintheprojectboundary.
Access&Equity(AE)
Thiscategorycontainsnine(9)voluntarycreditsworthupto30points.Theintentofthiscategoryistopromotesafety,access,
andmobilitytousersoftheroadway.
ConstructionActivities(CA)
Thiscategorycontainseight(8)voluntarycreditsworthupto14points.Theintentofthiscategoryistopromoteresponsible
constructionmanagement,reduceuseoffossilfuelsandimprovehealthandsafetyofconstructionworkers.

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

Greenroads Pilot Project

Materials&Resources(MR)
Thiscategorycontainssix(6)voluntarycreditsworthupto23points.Theintentofthiscategoryistopromoteresponsible
materialsandenergymanagementbycombinationsofrecycling,reusingandreducingbothvirginandwastematerials.
PavementTechnologies(PT)
Thiscategorycontainssix(6)voluntarycreditsworthupto20points.Theintentofthiscategoryistohighlightspecificpavement
engineeringinnovationsandideasorbroadtypesoftechnologiesortechniqueswhicharewellestablishedinpracticeandhave
directsustainabilitybenefits.
CustomCredits(CC)
Thiscategorycontainsupto10creditswhichmaybeearnedbyaprojectthatimplementssustainableorinnovativeideas.The
projectteammaysubmitapplicationswithadetaileddescriptionandexplanationofthepracticetoearncreditsinthiscategory
ranginginvaluefrom1to5points.Pointsawardedforthecustomcreditaredeterminedthroughreviewandcollaborationwith
Greenroadsrepresentatives.Thereiscurrentlynolimitestablishedforhowmanycustomcreditsaprojectmaysubmitfor
review.

FigureA.1.RelativeWeightsofGreenroadsVCCategories(Muenchetal.2010)
TableA.1Greenroadsv1.0.1ListofCredits
No.
Title
ProjectRequirements(PR)Mandatoryforallprojects
PR1
EnvironmentalReviewProcess
PR2
LifecycleCostAnalysis(LCCA)
PR3
LifecycleInventory(LCI)
PR4
QualityControlPlan
PR5
NoiseMitigationPlan
PR6
WasteManagementPlan
PR7
PollutionPreventionPlan
PR8
LowImpactDevelopment(LID)
PR9
PavementManagementSystem
PR10
SiteMaintenancePlan

November 3, 2010

Pts.

Description
Req
Req
Req
Req
Req
Req
Req
Req
Req
Req

Completeacomprehensiveenvironmentalreview
PerformLCCAforpavementsection
PerformLCIofpavementsection
Have aformalcontractorqualitycontrolplan
Haveaconstructionnoisemitigationplan
HaveaplantodivertC&Dwastefromlandfill
HaveaTESC/SWPPP
CompleteaLIDfeasibilitystudy
Haveapavementmanagementsystem
Havearoadsidemaintenanceplan

A-5

Greenroads Pilot Project

14th Street, Market Street to Colfax Avenue

TableA.1Greenroadsv1.0.1ListofCredits
No.
Title
Pts.
Description
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 Use WMAinplaceofHMA
PT4
CoolPavement
5 Contributelesstourbanheatislandeffect(UHI)
PT5
QuietPavement
3 Useaquietpavementtoreducenoise
1 Relateconstructiontoperformancedata
PT6
PavementPerformanceTracking
CustomCredits(CC)Availableforallprojectsbasedoncontextandinnovation,subjecttoapproval
CC1
CustomCredit1
15 Designanewvoluntarycredit
CC2
CustomCredit2
15 Designanewvoluntarycredit

GreenroadsTotalPoints:
118

November 3, 2010

A-5