SESSION: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE & STORMWATER MANAGEMENT California High-Speed Rail Comprehensive Sustainable Infrastructure

Project

California has been among the most progressive states when it comes to implementing codes and incentives for sustainable, high-performance design. In tune with this leadership position, the California High-Speed Rail Authority is working on planning and design initiatives that deliver a comprehensive sustainable infrastructure project. This presentation will discuss the Authority’s principles for sustainable infrastructure and overall objectives, and implementation strategies including progressive construction practices such as net-zero carbon and renewable energy for operations, as well as the sustainable design criteria identified for stations and station areas. The presentation will discuss the monitoring and tracking required of contractors, and the innovations in data collection and reporting the Authority has developed. The presentation will also highlight the activities to progress sustainability, such as APTA commitments and a sustainable design task force, that is bringing together the most innovative minds on the subject to inform design and implementation.

Margaret L. Cederoth, AICP, LEED AP manages sustainability initiatives for Parsons Brinckerhoff and is currently managing the sustainability program for the California High-Speed Rail. She is an urban planner with more than a decade of experience working in the areas of transportation and sustainability planning, land use and international planning. She has a masters of urban planning from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Margaret Cederoth, AICP, LEED AP, Parsons Brinkerhoff

Comprehensive Approach to Sustainable InfrastructureMargaret Cederoth, Program Management Team Sustainability ManagerTRB Sustainability Committee Summer WorkshopJune 18, 2014New York, NY

• California - 8th Largest Economy in the World• Comparable to Northeast Corridor

»Distance, Population & Complexity• Transformational Investment• Connects all California Population Centers

MORE THAN A TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

A STATEWIDE RAIL MODERNIZATION PLAN

• Connecting California» Caltrain Electrification & Early

Investments in the Peninsula Corridor

» Central Valley “Backbone” of High-Speed Rail

» Regional Enhancements in Southern California

» Statewide Connectivity Projects & Investments

PROPOSITION 1A AND SUSTAINABILITY

• As determined by the California Legislature and voted on by California voters in 2008, high-speed rail will:

» Alignments will follow existing transportation or utility corridors if possible.

» Stations shall be located in areas with good access to local mass transit or other modes of transportation.

» High-speed rail should minimize urban sprawl and impacts on the natural environment.

» Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.

» Preserve wildlife corridors.

AUTHORITY’S SUSTAINABILITY PRIORITIES

Policy signed August 2013» Captured what the Authority was doing to make a difference with the project

Defines Sustainability in terms of California Priorities» Energy» Stations Communities & Ridership» Sustainable Infrastructure» Natural Resources» Business & Management

Highlights MOUs with Federal and National Partners» FRA, EPA/HUD/FTA sustainability partnership» APTA

SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS & COMMITMENTS

• Modernizing transit and growing transit ridership statewide

• Improving air quality, reducing greenhouse gases

• Enabling smart land use• Protecting agricultural land• Preserving and enhancing critical habitat• Decreasing auto dependence• 100% renewable energy for operations• Urban Greening: planting trees

EVOLVING BUSINESS AS USUAL

» Commitments beyond regulation » Improved outcomes for Californians» Evolving state of practice» Enhance communities, economy, and environment

100 PERCENT RENEWABLE ENERGY USE

The Authority has committed to using 100 percent renewable energy to power the system

This net-zero approach:» Reduces transportation dependence on fossil fuels» Provides the Authority with a cost-stable energy source» Reinforces clean energy economy» Supports AB 32 objectives for clean transportation

STATION AREA PLANNING

The Authority is partnering with several cities to establish smart, station-specific planning, unique to that location

» Fresno» Merced» Gilroy» San Jose» Palmdale» Bakersfield» Hanford

The Authority is providing» funding for critical planning» technical assistance on transit orientated design» strategies for creating development» Urban Footprint tool for local planning

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TASK FORCE

• Establish clear performance criteria• Identify barriers• Workshop ideas to overcome potential barriers• Start of integrated design process

CLEAN & GREEN CONSTRUCTION

Net-Zero Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions» Clean, green trucks for the site

• The most fuel efficient• Capacity for bio-diesel mixes, or hybrids

» Clean, green construction fleet: graders, scrapers, excavators, loaders, etc…• Have better filtration systems• Most efficient engines• Will be brought by contractor, setting precedent for other construction in

the state

» Other on-site actions• Anti-idling policies• Dust suppression• Streamlining/consolidating

materials deliveries

CLEAN & GREEN CONSTRUCTION

Eliminating Waste

» Recycling all concrete and steel• Estimated cost savings

» Recycling of construction waste• 75 percent of construction and demolition waste

to be recycled, or reused» Encouraging the use of recycled material

• Tire derived aggregate• Recycled aggregate• Fly ash or other cement replacement

» Keeping track and improving as we go

URBAN GREENING & AIR QUALITY

Tree PlantingThe Authority will partner with local organizations to plant over 21,000 trees• Off-sets 90,000 tons of carbon• Planted in public areas for public enjoyment• Provide shading to reduce energy use• Drought-tolerant, location appropriate such as

native sycamore or oak species

Voluntary Emissions Reduction AgreementWorking with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District to provide:

• New, clean buses for schools• Clean truck engines• Electrified irrigation pumps

MITIGATION WITH A DIFFERENCE

Habitat» Preserving high quality habitat• 500 acres with a vernal pool matrix• Contiguous, and connected to larger ecosystem

» Regional Advanced Mitigation• Coordinate with state agencies to carry out

mitigation• Enables protection of parcels at risk of

development• Help achieve a state priority for the benefit of all

PRESERVING IMPORTANT FARMLAND

According to the DOC between 2000 and 2008, over 115,000 acres of Important Farmland were lost to development in the San Joaquin Valley

»The Authority will take some farmland, but will preserve a greater amount, between 5 to 6,000 acres

»Enable local municipalities to preserve their agricultural heritage and economy

Environmental Mitigation Management and Assessment (EMMA)

TRANSPARENCY & KEEPING TRACK

RESULTS: GREEN HOUSE GASES EMISSIONS SAVINGS

THANK YOU

Margaret Cederoth, AICPSustainability Managercederoth@pbworld.com

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