Metro Magazine

APR 2014

Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904

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struction manager/general contractor White Skanska Kiewit, a joint venture team that has participated in sustain- ability workshops with the client and p r o j e c t t e a m s , i n c l u d i n g A E C O M , HNTB, HDR and Gilbane, to ensure all players are aware of the sustainabil- ity drivers for the project. These driv- ers emphasize the importance of not cutting sustainability measures from the job and to provide the opportunity for developing and implementing sus- tainable solutions wherever possible. "T e GLX project is a great example of how, in today's environment, sus- tainability must no longer be perceived as a separate service, rather it must be a requirement for every solution present- ed to a client," said AECOM's Caroline Downing, GLX design deputy project manager. "Especially when looking at transit projects — which are already an inherently sustainable mode of trans- portation as they are ef ective, reduce carbon emissions and energy require- ments, and reduce impact on the envi- ronment — it is important sustainabil- ity is given equal weight in the decision making process by being a consider- ation made alongside cost, schedule and impacts to the community." The GLX's integrated process is en- abled by the melting pot of technical disciplines working together to promote innovation, ease of communication and integrated thinking to bring this proj- ect to life. SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK The GL X project centered its sus- tainability framework around the Mas- s a c h u s e t t s D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s - portation's (MassDOT's) GreenDOT program, which mandates sustainabil- ity goals for all MassDOT divisions, in- cluding rail and transit, which owns the GL X project. Launched in June 2010, GreenDOT aims to achieve three pri- mary goals: • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. • Promote the healthy transportation options of walking, bicycling and taking public transit. • Support smart growth development. By covering seven key sustainability themes — air; energy; land; materials; planning, policy and design; waste and water — the use of GreenDOT enables the project team to structure work in a way that leads to integrating sustain- ability without being too prescriptive or stif ing innovation. "GreenDOT's variety in sustainability forces the project team to address issues at all levels of the project and organiza- tion while providing a structured way in which to track and report performance," says Brennan. As another aspect of the GLX's sus- tainability framework, the project ad- o p t e d a d e d i c a t e d D i v i s i o n 1 S u s - tainability Specification as a primary mechanism for ensuring sustainabil- ity measures are integrated. This en- sures MBTA policies are implemented for sustainable landscaping practices, construction vehicles and equipment as well as construction and demoli- tion waste. "T e GLX project gives the MBTA the opportunity to formalize many ongoing practices that can then be implement- ed on all MBTA projects going forward," says Ainsley. Meeting the GreenDOT indicators also means implementing many U.S. Green Building Council Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainability measures, such as green and blue roofs that w ill be installed as part of the overall storm- water management strategy and con- struction and demolition waste man- agement goals that require at least 65% of waste to be rec ycled or salvaged, a s w e l l a s G re e n D O T-sp e c i f i c m e a - sures such as the implementation of complete streets concepts ; develop- ment of a climate change and adap- tation strategy; and implementation of internal sustainability practices for the project team's office environment. Fu r t h e r, t h e t e a m l o o k e d t o p u r s u e LEED in other cost-effective, best-val- ue ways that benefited the project and 29 APRIL 2014 m ETRO m AGAZINE > Dedicated Pedal and Park enclosed bicycle storage units (rendering shown) will of er a secure spot for cyclists to lock their bikes, which can be accessed using a Bike Charliecard. M E T R O 0 4 1 4 _ S U S T A I N . i n d d 2 9 METRO0414_SUSTAIN.indd 29 3 / 1 8 / 1 4 1 : 1 6 P M 3/18/14 1:16 PM

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