Road industry may no longer be trailing when it comes to LEED

The road industry is taking the LEED.

The University of Washington and CH2M Hill have released a project-based sustainability rating system for road construction that covers the following: design, construction, materials hauling and the production of portland cement concrete and hot-mix asphalt.

Greenroads Rating System v1.0 features 11 project requirements that must be executed to earn a Greenroads certification. Some of the requirements cover noise mitigation, low-impact drainage solutions, storm water management and waste management plans. There also are 118 voluntary credits that cover recycling, quiet pavement and the accommodation of non-motorized transportation.

In the future, road builders will be able to earn Greenroads rankings of certified, silver, gold and evergreen. To reach Evergreen status, a project must total at least 64 voluntary credit points.