COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
GREENDOT OFFICE
GreenDOT Advisory Group
Meeting Notes
April 9, 2014 – Kick-Off Meeting
10 Park Plaza, Boston Common Conference Room, Room 4150, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Agenda and Notes
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Safety briefing
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Welcome and around-the-room introductions
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Presentation by Ned Codd, Assistant Secretary for GreenDOT (see presentation
at http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/0/docs/GreenDOT/GreenDOT_Kick_Off_Presentation.pdf )
GreenDOT background and policy context
GreenDOT Policy
GreenDOT Implementation
Status of GreenDOT tasks and initiatives
Questions and answers, discussion
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Katie Servis, MassDOT Aeronautics Division: Are there different GreenDOT
performance measures for the different MassDOT divisions?
Ned Codd: There are specific tasks and goals for different divisions included in the
GreenDOT Implementation Plan, as well as performance measures for tracking those.
We will be working with MassDOT’s Office of Performance Management & Innovation to
develop ways of aggregating those tasks into higher level performance measures.
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David Watson, Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike): The Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) has released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on
National Performance Management Measures for the Highway Safety Improvement
Program (HSIP), which does not include performance measures for non-motorized
injuries and fatalities. How is MassDOT going to respond?
Ned Codd: I know the NPRM came out recently; MassDOT has not had a chance to
discuss it or formulate a response, but pedestrian and bicycle injuries and fatalities are
important to track and understand, and that is something that MassDOT is certainly
going to take a look at.
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Rosemary Monahan, US EPA: Have there been any coordination or initiatives with
municipalities, such as local departments of public works?
Ned Codd: MassDOT is very eager to work with municipalities, especially since most of
the roadway network in Massachusetts is under local and not state jurisdiction. In 2011
and 2012, we did a number of Complete Streets design training sessions through our
Bay State Roads program, which reached many municipal employees, including DPW
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April 9, 2014
directors and staff. We are eager to work with municipal representatives and collaborate
on sustainable transportation initiatives, and we have many municipalities represented
here, as well as the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). asked if there had
been any association with the local DPWs?
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Susanne Rasmussen, City of Cambridge: Has MassDOT committed to any short-term
goals, as all the ones stated were longer term? What are the “wedges” that make up the
reductions in GHG emissions? What is the work plan for the Advisory Committee?
Ned Codd: The GreenDOT Implementation Plan discussed in the presentation includes
hundreds of specific tasks and initiatives for reducing GHG emissions and/or achieving
GreenDOT goals, including milestones for 2013, 2015 and 2020. In terms of the
“wedges” or the specific contribution of each task or initiative – the Patrick
Administration’s overall Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 broke down specific
contributions for different sectors, and transportation is a major GHG contributor. There
are some reduction targets for different areas of the transportation sector, but we also
need to work on our performance tracking to try to figure out benefits of different actions
and our progress toward goals. For instance, we want to track progress toward the goal
of tripling mode share of walking, biking and public transit by 2030, but it can be hard to
measure, especially walking and biking. In terms of the function and charge for this
advisory group, I expect that we meet maybe every two to three months. The advisory
group is intended as a sounding board for MassDOT while measurements and reporting
are developed. Does GreenDOT include the right actions, and are there things we are
missing. We also welcome suggestions on GreenDOT initiatives, resources, data
sources, etc.
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David Straus, A Better City Transportation Management Association: The Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) collects data on commuter behavior through its surveys
that are required by the rideshare regulation – that could be a source of data? Does
MassDOT use that data?
Ned Codd: Yes, DEP shares that data with us, and we use it with our MassRIDES
program, and it is very useful. But it is probably not comprehensive enough to be
statistically valid for mode shift, though it could serve as an indicator of commuter trends.
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Steve Nutter, Livable Streets: The metrics show that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) have
been going down but that doesn’t always translate into traffic projections for projects at
MassDOT. Is that going to change? What about the idea of a statewide land bank to
preserve land and reduce sprawl?
Ned Codd: National VMT did drop during the recession; it has remained flat since then,
which represents a reduction in VMT per capita. This is great news that is taking a while
to get fully reflected in transportation projections. And even in light of this drop,
projections need to be appropriate to the geography and conditions, but you are right,
MassDOT and regional projections should properly reflect this trend. In terms of a land
bank, the Patrick Administration is working to promote that through Priority Growth
District/Priority Preservation District planning and through the Green Communities Act.
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Rafael Mares, Conservation Law Foundation: What will the annual report for GreenDOT
look like, and when will it be issued?
Ned Codd: It will be done by the end of year, and we need to figure out its format. I
would welcome suggestions from this group.
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Wendy Landman, WalkBoston: In advance of future meetings, could you send out a
briefing package, and ask specific questions of the group to be discussed at the
meeting. One topic could be data and measures for walking and bicycling. A good
resource would be a Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MassPIRG) report
on VMT.
Ned Codd: I would be happy to send out briefing materials and questions in advance of
meetings. Before this meeting, I sent out a number of links to references and an
explanation of those references – was that helpful? [General agreement] I would be
happy to include useful data and resources such as the MassPIRG report – members
are encouraged to send me resources that they find useful. I will also send out questions
to frame the discussion.
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Suzanne Condon, MA Department of Public Health. Do we know what other datasets
are available? Maybe we could survey the group.
Ned Codd: We would welcome any data sets or suggestions for resources to use.
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Eileen Gunn, MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning. Bob Frey at MassDOT
managed a large household travel survey.
Ned Codd: Yes, that was a major effort that entailed 15,000 Massachusetts households
keeping travel diaries. It was very expensive, and would be hard to do regularly, but we
should be thinking about ways to refresh the data more often, maybe using technology,
such as mobile phone tracking as a supplemental data source (though it would still need
to be supplemented to ensure we don’t have a sampling bias around smart phone
ownership).
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John Pourbaix, Construction Industries of Massachusetts: MassDOT should step up its
efforts to use recycled material, for example reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). It is not
being done consistently among the highway districts.
Ned Codd: That is a priority for us, and we are working to maximize recycled/reused
materials. But we need to test these materials in order to ensure proper performance.
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Ed Hsieh, MassRecycle: MassDOT should champion the use of recycled materials in its
material streams, such as the use of glass in asphalt. With DEP’s coming ban on
organics waste from commercial sources, there may be an opportunity to use some of
these materials in as compost for MassDOT projects.
Ned Codd: Those are great suggestions. We are eager to learn more about how to
reduce waste streams, and we would be glad to work with you on those.
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Suzanne Nichols, VHB: Are there national or international rating systems that you are
planning to use?
Ned Codd: We are going to be looking at making use of FHWA’s Infrastructure Voluntary
Evaluation Sustainability Tool (INVEST), a system of evaluating and rating projects and
practices for sustainability. There is also the LEED rating system for building efficiency;
building to LEED standards is a requirement for certain state buildings under the
Leading by Example program. Those are things that get at parts of GreenDOT, but we
also need to look at broader metrics, and measurements of things that are not covered
by those systems.
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Tom Philbin, Massachusetts Municipal Association: An important consideration for
municipalities is stormwater management, including requirements for phosphorus
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reduction. Another issue is that communities aren’t all happy with guidelines for
complete streets. For example, Harwich residents are concerned about MassDOT’s
project on Route 124, which is resulting in widening the road for sidewalks on both sides,
bike lanes. Communities need more flexibility on complete streets. It is also important
that groups, such as this Advisory Group, have representation from across
Massachusetts, not just east of 495.
Ned Codd: MassDOT recognizes the importance of stormwater management; it is an
important part of GreenDOT, but our highway and transit project design has long
incorporated best management practices for stormwater detention and filtration. Relative
to complete streets, MassDOT recognizes that flexibility is needed on project design,
and we are eager to work with communities, but we also have a responsibility to
consider all roadway users, including vulnerable roadway users, in addition to abutters.
We have also invited several representatives to the GreenDOT Advisory Group from
outside of I-495, including Wayne Feiden from Northampton who is on the phone, Jane
Wynn from the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, and Bill Elovirta from Becket.
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Bill Elovirta, Becket: Rural communities are very dependent on Chapter 90 funds for
roadway repairs, but the state has not released the full $300 million appropriated by the
Legislature. And I agree that complete streets design needs more flexibility, especially
for rural towns.
Ned Codd: Thanks, and we understand the need for flexibility, but there are a lot of
people walking, including in rural communities, and we want to help them to be safe.
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David Watson, MassBike: What is the connection between the Global Warming
Solutions Act (GWSA) Implementation Advisory Committee (IAC) and this committee?
Ned Codd: The GWSA IAC is an advisory committee for the GWSA as a whole,
including all GHG sectors and all agencies of state government, while the GreenDOT
Advisory Group is focused on transportation and MassDOT, so it can address the
transportation sector in greater detail.
Sonia Hamel, State Smart Transportation Initiative: The GWSA IAC reviews the overall
25 percent GHG reduction target for 2020 and the 80 percent reduction target for 2050,
and talks about gaps on the 25 percent reduction target. Transportation is a sector that
has a significant gap in its 2020 reduction target.
Ned Codd: Transportation is challenging too because of what we don’t control. For
example, the mode shift target is related to how we built and operate the system, and
communicate with our customers, which we are doing the best we can at, but it is
ultimately dependent on the actions of travelers. At the same time, we want to know
what else MassDOT can do, how to do a better job, and work with you.
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Wendy Landman, WalkBoston: We need to talk about what gets done now to set stage
for mode shift. Talking about public health can set the stage for mode shift.
Tom Tinlin, MassDOT Highway Division: That is why education is so important.
MassDOT needs to focus on the way that we communicate and educate the public on
the options that are available, the importance of making sustainable choices. And we
have to make sure those options are attractive.
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Jackie Douglas, Livable Streets Alliance: Will the GreenDOT Office have an
enforcement function in MassDOT? Because policy and initiatives don’t always trickle
down to implementation throughout the organization.
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Ned Codd: The GreenDOT Office’s functions are intended to be principally the
development of policy and implementation recommendations, coordination and
communication throughout MassDOT to get those recommendations put in place,
external communication and advocacy, and tracking of progress. Changing culture and
practice throughout a huge organization is a big challenge, but it can eventually work (as
shown by the steady adoption of Complete Streets design standards). The Secretary is
extremely supportive of the GreenDOT policy and implementation initiatives, which is
very helpful.
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Michelle Ciccolo, Town of Hudson, Metropolitan Area Planning Council: Years ago, I
participated in the MassDOT Transportation Advisory Committee, which eventually
broke down and stopped meeting due to a lack of focus and structure. This group needs
to have a focus, and it might make sense to establish working groups within the Advisory
Group.
Ned Codd: We want to make this group as useful and relevant as possible. The
GreenDOT Policy and its various implementation initiatives have really important
external constituencies, and we want to keep you all constructively engaged. As we
have proposed the function of the Advisory Group, it is MassDOT’s responsibility to bring
ideas and proposals for the Advisory Group to react to, but we are open to other ideas
and suggestions. Some things that might be helpful include identifying resources and
briefing materials for the group’s review, and identifying data sources that could help
MassDOT to track progress on GreenDOT goals. I encourage everyone to contact me
with suggestions for tasks that the GreenDOT Advisory Group could take on, as well as
data and analytical resources that could be useful to the group.
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Question: Will the presentation be available?
Ned Codd: Yes, I will send out the presentation, agenda, and meeting notes. I will also
work on setting up a web page as a clearinghouse for information and materials.
Action Items
1. GreenDOT Advisory Group members to send Ned Codd input on:
• GreenDOT Advisory Group tasks and functions
• Data and analytical resources to be shared with the Advisory Group
• Topics for future meetings
2. Ned Codd will share this information and set up a web page for the Advisory Group
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