Greenroads international

Greenroads International: Advancing Sustainability in Transportation Infrastructure

Greenroads International is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing sustainability education and promoting a rating system for transportation infrastructure. The organization was founded in 2010 by Dr. Jeralee Anderson, who recognized the need for a comprehensive rating system that would help transportation professionals design and build sustainable roads, highways, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.

The Greenroads Rating System is the first performance metric designed specifically for sustainable roadway design and construction. It provides a framework for evaluating the environmental and social impacts of transportation projects, as well as their economic benefits. The rating system covers seven categories: project management, site development, construction activities, materials selection, water quality management, energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction, and innovation.

Greenroads International also offers sustainability education programs to help transportation professionals learn about best practices in sustainable design and construction. These programs include workshops on topics such as green stormwater management techniques; low-impact development strategies; renewable energy technologies; life-cycle cost analysis; community engagement; and more.

One of the key goals of Greenroads International is to promote collaboration among stakeholders in the transportation industry. The organization works closely with government agencies at all levels (federal, state/provincial/territorial), private sector companies involved in road building or maintenance (such as engineering firms or contractors), academic institutions conducting research on sustainable infrastructure practices or related fields like urban planning), NGOs focused on environmental issues related to transport (such as climate change mitigation or air pollution reduction), community groups concerned about local impacts from road projects (such as noise pollution or loss of green space).

Greenroads International has been recognized by numerous organizations for its contributions to sustainability in transportation infrastructure. In 2012 it received an award from the American Society of Civil Engineers' Environmental & Water Resources Institute for "outstanding leadership" in promoting sustainable roadway design practices. In 2014 it was named one of the "Top 10 Green Building Organizations" by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The organization has also been involved in a number of high-profile projects that demonstrate the benefits of sustainable infrastructure design. For example, it worked with the City of Seattle to develop a green street pilot project that incorporated low-impact development techniques to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality. The project was so successful that it has since been expanded to other neighborhoods in Seattle.

Another notable project is the SR 520 Floating Bridge Replacement and HOV Program in Washington State, which is currently under construction. Greenroads International provided sustainability consulting services for this project, which includes innovative features such as fish-friendly culverts; energy-efficient LED lighting; and a bike/pedestrian path separated from vehicular traffic.

In conclusion, Greenroads International is an important organization that is making significant contributions to sustainability in transportation infrastructure. Its rating system provides a valuable tool for evaluating the environmental and social impacts of road projects, while its education programs help professionals learn about best practices in sustainable design and construction. By promoting collaboration among stakeholders in the transportation industry, Greenroads International is helping to create more sustainable communities for future generations.