Past & Current Projects

Evaluating New York GreenLITES for Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Projects

CDOT is starting to take a proactive approach in integrating sustainability elements into their transportation practices from transportation planning through system construction. The New York State Department of Transportation has developed an internal sustainability rating and certification process for transportation designs (GreenLITES). CDOT is using this model on two Interstate 70 (I-70) interchange design projects to determine how the GreenLITES sustainability program can be integrated into CDOT transportation projects state-wide.
TerraLogic, in teaming cooperation with PBS&J is taking a LEED AP approach, which involves close coordination with the Eagle Interchange design team to develop design approaches, look for scoring synergies to maximize scoring opportunities, and to help select the most efficient scoring and evaluation to meet the team’s GreenLITES certification goal. The GreenLITES evaluation and scoring will center on the five GreenLITES certification categories: 1) sustainable sites, 2) water quality, 3) materials and resources, 4) energy and atmosphere, and 5) innovation.
TerraLogic and PBS&J have developed the following approach that will evaluate how well the GreenLITES process can be incorporated into CDOT projects and provide recommendations for state-wide implementation:

• Formalize and commit to a program which encourages conformance with sustainability principles and tracks compliance

• Evaluate an existing program (New York GreenLITES) to determine applicability to CDOT and recommend enhancements or other programs

• Assess CDOT’s current sustainable design efficacy and the potential for improvements with an increased focus on design practices and accountability through a GreenLITES program. Determine benefits of such a program and the efficiency (i.e., “cost-benefit”) of emphasizing sustainable practices in CDOT operations

• Assess the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) GreenLITES program, research and assess other such national programs, and make recommendations for CDOT’s own program

Project Contact: Brad Beckham CDOT-Environmental Programs Branch

Final Report and Appendix (PDF) June 30, 2011

Download Cutsheets (PDF)