SESSION: SUSTAINABILITY & METRICS
DDOT: Road to Sustainability and Resilient Infrastructure
Lezlie Rupert, DDOT
The presentation will address the policies DDOT has in place for Environmental Management Systems, Sustainability and Climate
Change Adaptation. I will speak to how DDOT has operationalized these policies to date with some case studies and project
examples. I will also speak to the next steps and areas for improvement in the presentation.
Lezlie Rupert is an experienced environment and transportation professional. She currently serves as the Environment and Major Studies Manager for the District Department
of Transportation. Ms. Rupert has managed and led several projects and programs in the areas of environmental management, environmental review and compliance, climate
change adaptation, multi-modal Transportation Planning, context sensitive solutions, sustainability, transportation programming and resource management. She has led and
contributed to several complex multi-modal NEPA and Environmental documents which include EISs, EAs and CEs. Her work includes regular coordination with several
federal agencies. Her program is responsible for managing the environmental management system for the agency, climate change adaptation, sustainability and
environmental compliance. Her program and projects have won several recognitions and awards.
Ms. Rupert has a Bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland, College Park MD and a Master’s degree from American University, Washington DC.
DDOT: the road to
sustainability
June 18, 2014
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS
Sustainability & NEPA
Meeting the needs of the
present without compromising
the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs
(Brundtland Report of the World Commission on Environment and
Development U.N. 1987).
Economy
Environment
Social
Structure
42 USC § 4331 Section 101:
Congress, recognizing the profound impact of
mans activity and the critical importance of
restoring and maintaining environmental quality to
the overall welfare and development of man
declares that it is the continuing policy of the
federal government to use all practical means
and measure in a manner calculated to foster and
promote the general welfare, to create and
maintain conditions under which man and nature
can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the
social, economic and other requirements of
present and future generations of Americans.
DDOT policies for sustainability:
 Environmental Management System
 Environmental Management System Manual
 DDOT Sustainability Plan
 Climate Change Adaptation Plan
 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
 Green Infrastructure Standards
 Sustainability DC
 moveDC
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS
EMS in the future
• The project development and environment team is going beyond
compliance
• Actively work on streamlining process
• Regular trainings on process and correlation with sustainability
• 2013: Audit program
• 2014: Environmental awards program
• Incorporate sustainable rating tools in project review
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS
DDOT Sustainability Plan
Sustainable transportation is a system that provides mode
choices in a balanced manner without compromising safety,
accessibility, and mobility; it enhances the economy, promotes
livability, and protects the environment.
Set the following priority areas:
• Promoting Transportation and Land Use Linkages
• Improving Mode Choices, Accessibility, and Mobility
• Effective Cost Assessments in Decision Making
• Supporting the Economy
• Improving DDOT Operations and Project Development
• Protecting the Environment & Conserving Resources
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Promoting Livability & Safety
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS
Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Recognizes the need for the transportation sector to be prepared for a
changing climate.
• DDOT owns 4,000 lane miles, 240 bridges / tunnels, 68,000 street lights
and over 1,400 signalized intersections.
• Coordination with local Department of Environment and regional
partnerships (Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern States)
• Conducted Vulnerability Assessment
• High: tree loss, power outage from storms
• Medium: invasive species, stormwater and flooding issues
• Identified Action Items
• Develop climate change projections
• Assess most critical needs
• Update standards and policies
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
The greenhouse gas inventory accounts for the
amount of greenhouse gases for DDOT for a specific
time frame.
Looked at DDOT in 2009 and 2040:
• Fleet
• Circulator Buses
• Facilities
• Streetlights & Signals
• Roadways
Overall, GHG emissions are predicted to decrease
by approximately 10% for carbon dioxide equivalent.
*DC Circulator emissions will increase due to expansion of the system.
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS
Green Infrastructure Standards
Green Infrastructure Standards: Green Book (2014)
• Helps attain retention of 1.2 inches of run-off to the Maximum
Extent Practicable (MEP)
• Public Right of Way (ROW) Construction Projects
• Public Space Permits Projects
• In correlation with District stormwater regulations and MS4 permit
• Includes
• approved types of permeable pavers
• Cross section diagrams
• Pavement types for different uses (alley, roadway, sidewalk,
trail)
• Bioretention types
• Bioswale types
• Approved plant type list
• Maintenance plan
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS
Sustainablity DC
District-wide initiative from the Mayor’s office.
Envisions an accessible, convenient, and resilient
transportation system:
• Improve connectivity and accessibility through
efficient, integrated and affordable transit systems.
• Expand provision of safe, secure infrastructure for
cyclists and pedestrians.
• Reduce traffic congestion to improve mobility.
• Improve air quality along major transportation
routes
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS
moveDC
• DDOT’s long-range vision plan
• Sustainability recommendations:
• Expand public space tree program (Urban Forestry)
• Increase tree canopy and tree species diversity
• Increase permeable surfaces
• Stormwater treatment
• Low impact design
Plan will be finalized summer 2014.
DDOT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROCESS