Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Envision Sustainability Rating System

Transcription

1 Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Envision Sustainability Rating System Transportation Research Board ADC60 Waste Management and Resource Efficiency Summer Workshop, July 9 11, Presentation by James D. Heeren, PE, ISI ENV PV

2 Summary Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Envision Sustainability Rating System Envision Scoring Envision Credits Envision Credit Assessment Envision Online Project Application Tool ISI Sustainability Professional Credentials 2

3 Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) is a not for profit educational and research organization structured to develop and maintain a sustainability rating system for the civil infrastructure of the United States. It was founded by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). 3

4 ISI Envision Sustainability Rating System A joint collaboration between ISI and the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design developed the Envision rating system for infrastructure projects. Envision is designed to cover all civil infrastructure including roads, bridges, pipelines, railways, airports, dams, levees, solid waste landfills, water supplies, wastewater treatment plants, power transmission lines, telecommunications towers and the public spaces in our cities, towns and local communities. It is not intended to supplant existing, sector specific infrastructure rating systems such as those that cover buildings, roads, airports and hydropower facilities. It is intended to provide the essential context for the rating results. 4

5 Envision Scope and Purpose A rating system for North American infrastructure Roads, bridges, pipelines, railways, airports, dams, levees, landfills, water treatment systems and more components that make up the built environment Does not include buildings or facilities. Purpose Foster a dramatic and necessary improvement in the performance and resiliency of our physical infrastructure across the full dimensions of sustainability 5

6 Filling the Gap in Sustainability Rating Systems There is a big gap in the U.S. in the rating of sustainable infrastructure Current sustainability rating systems for infrastructure are sector specific LEED covers buildings (single sector) Others are focused on a single sector, e.g., roads, airports, hydropower No U.S. system covers all aspects of infrastructure The ISI sustainable infrastructure project rating system is designed to fill that gap 6

7 Improving Infrastructure Integration Infrastructure elements aren t like buildings Buildings Under the control of a single entity Can readily optimize building systems Infrastructure No single responsible entity Multiple departments with different issues, agendas, schedules, budgets, customers Integration needed at the city/community and regional levels 7

8 Envision Key Features 8

9 Envision Key Features 1. Expands the breadth of project contribution to sustainability 2. Avoids infrastructure traps and vulnerabilities 3. Expands opportunities and targets for performance improvement 4. Makes restorative an explicit level of performance achievement 5. Rewards focused innovation 6. Addresses our changing operating environment 7. Advances sustainability knowledge and education 9

10 Expands the Breadth of Project Contribution to Sustainability Breaks project contribution to sustainability into two parts Performance contribution Pathway contribution 10

11 Performance and Pathway Contribution Does this project truly contribute to sustainability? Performance contribution Sought out all reasonable opportunities to improve sustainable performance Raised the bar in one or more dimensions of sustainable performance Achieved what was reasonable Pathway contribution Considers how the project aligns with overall community needs Enhances quality of life Use of recycled concrete and asphalt in highway construction Highway traffic congestion 11

12 Avoids Infrastructure Traps and Vulnerabilities Resources traps Increased community dependence on resources that could become very scarce and expensive. Configuration traps Create configurations highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, natural disasters, economic conditions and/or actions by others. Standards traps Use design standards and methodologies that are not in alignment with new conditions or concerns. Houses being torn down in Flint, Michigan to consolidate infrastructure and reduce operating costs 12

13 Expands Opportunities and Targets for Performance Improvement Expansion in three dimensions Project life cycle More durability and flexibility End of life disassembly, up cycling Stakeholder collaboration Project team collaboration Stakeholder issues and concerns By product synergy Regulatory relief Range of sustainable performance (Levels of Achievement) Beyond sustainable equilibrium Restoration of natural resources and systems 13

14 Expanding Opportunities, Performance Targets Expanding Opportunities, Performance Targets Levels of Achievement Restorative Superior Decommission / Deconstruct/ Reuse Repurpose/Reconfi gure Operation & Maintenance Enhanced Construction Design Planning Improved Conserving Project Life Cycle Conventional Affected stakeholders Partner organizations Regulatory, standardsetting institutions Stakeholder Collaboration 14

15 Makes Restorative an Explicit Level of Achievement Levels of Achievement Project Achievements Conventional performance (state of the practice) More sustainable performance Restorative performance Existing benchmark, e.g., LEED, BREEAM, CEEQUAL Compliance Restorative (restore resources and ecological carrying capacity, economic and social systems) Reduced adverse impacts Conserving (Zero impacts) Superior (Remarkable performance) Enhanced (On the right track) Improved (Encouraging) Conventional (state of the practice) Project life cycle May or may not be regulated Project team Owner organization Areas of control Stakeholder collaboration Design Construction 15

16 Recognizes and Rewards Innovation Innovation points can be earned in each Category - XX0.0 INNOVATE OR EXCEED CREDIT REQUIREMENTS Special awards for truly outstanding focused innovation performance - Extraordinary performance - Significant problems, barriers or limitations overcome - Scalable - Transferable 16

17 Addresses Our Changing Operating Environment Changes in cost, availability of energy, water, other key resources Petroleum based fuels, water resources Other critical materials New and changing operating conditions Higher ambient temperatures Sea level rise Extreme weather events, e.g., droughts, heat waves, storm intensity Potential for water conflicts in the western U.S. Source: U.S. Department of Interior 17

18 Advances Sustainability Knowledge and Education Captures, retains and disseminates knowledge Process and performance objectives designed to guide sustainable project delivery More than specifications, e.g., % waste sent to landfill Creates a new breed of sustainability engineer/practitioner Good knowledge of what it takes to design a project that truly contributes to sustainability Ability to work in the new engineering design paradigm 18

19 ISI Envision Sustainability Rating System Project Scoring Section Points 60 Credits Organized into 5 Sections 743 Total Possible Points Extra Points for Innovation Web Based Project Application Tool for Scoring and Reporting 1 D2fd Df3d Points 121 Points 182 Points 166 Points 122 Points 19

20 Envision Structure 20

21 Envision Quality of Life Credits for doing the right project: the extent to which the project improves the quality of life of affected communities 21

22 Envision Leadership Credits for providing effective leadership, collaboration and commitment Credits for expanding opportunities for performance improvement 22

23 Envision Resource Allocation Credits for Ecological Footprint reductions 23

24 Envision Natural World Credits for Ecological Footprint reductions 24

25 Envision Climate and Risk Credits for Ecological Footprint reductions. Credits for climate change mitigation and air pollution reduction Credits for reducing vulnerabilities, improving resilience and flexibility, and adapting to changing operating conditions 25

26 Envision Credit Assessment and Rating Guidance Example METRIC : How credit will be measured 26

27 Envision Credit Assessment Guidance Details Credit number and title Purpose of credit Reference to Evaluation Criteria and Documentation Short title and description 27

28 Envision Credit Assessment and Rating Guidance Performance that is above conventional. Slightly exceeds regulatory requirements Sustainable performance that is on the right track. Indications that superior performance is within reach. Sustainable performance that is noteworthy but not conserving. Point scores are designed to provide incentives for achieving conserving or restorative performance. Performance that has achieved essentially zero negative impact. Beneficial in the sense that conventional projects have substantial adverse impacts. Performance that restores natural or social systems. Such performance receives the highest award possible, and is celebrated as such. Not applicable to all objectives. Increasing levels of achievement Progression is not necessarily linear Some credits will not cover every level 28

29 Envision Credit Assessment Description Excerpt from RA3.1 Protect Freshwater Availability More details on the purpose and objectives Additional information on why the credit is important Other information that will assist the applicant and assessor rate the credit 29

30 Envision Credit Assessment and Rating Guidance Excerpt from RA3.1 Protect Freshwater Availability Conventional performance How to advance to higher levels of achievement A. <Criteria for assessing the level of achievement> 1. <Documentation and evidence required to demonstrate achievement> 30

31 Envision Web Based Project Application Tool 31

32 Envision Project Application Tool Entry 32

33 Envision Project Application Tool Entry 33

34 Envision Project Application Tool Report 34

35 Envision Project Application Tool Report 35

36 ISI Sustainability Professional Credentials Credentials ISI ENV PV (Provisional Credentials) for the period ending December 31, 2013, after which re application and testing may be required to obtain the ENV SP (Sustainability Professional) ISI ENV PV credentials are valid for no less than 18 months Qualifications 4 yr Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Sciences, or related program Completion of ISI 6 hr online course consisting of 6 online videos Familiarity with the Envision Guidance Manual and Project Application Program Successful passage of ISI online examination 36

37 ISI Sustainability Professional Credentials Application Fees ISI Members $350 Non Members $450 Full Time Government Employees $150 Testing Fees ISI Members $200 Non Members $200 Full Time Government Employees $0 37

38 ISI Sustainability Professional Credentials The exam is composed of 75 questions in 6 groups. 1. Overall 10 questions 2. Quality of Life 13 questions 3. Leadership 13 questions 4. Resource Allocation 13 questions 5. Natural World 13 questions 6. Climate and Risk 13 questions You must correctly answer 7 out of 13 questions in each of groups 2 through 6 and 57 out of the 75 total questions (75%) Exams must be completed within 72 hours once started but does not have to be completed in one session If you do not pass the exam on the first attempt, you will be able to take the exam again two additional times for no additional fee. Up to three exams can be taken within the six month time period. If you do not pass the exam after three attempts, you can review the education with no additional charge. When you are ready, you can purchase the test module to take the test. 38

39 Contributors Special thanks to Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure and Bill Wallace of Wallace Futures Group, LLC (Lead Designer of the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System) and Jeff M. Miller, PE, ISI ENV PV of Dewberry for their contributions to the content of this presentation 39

40 Questions James D. Heeren, PE, ISI ENV PV Associate, Senior Environmental Engineer T: F: