High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines: Utility Site Assessment Streetscape Pavement

site streetscape pavement utility
assessment
high performance infrastructure guidelines

october 2005
stormwater landscape construction

management Practices
DESIGN TRUST
FOR PUBLIC SPACE
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES
TABLE OF CONTENTS PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

PA.5 Use Reduced-Emission Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Design Trust for Public Space Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 PA.6 Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Department of Design & Construction Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Utility
UI.1 Minimize Impact of Utility Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
PART ONE ACHIEVING HIGH PERFORMANCE UI.2 Improve Restoration of Utility Cut Trenches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Overview UI.3 Coordinate Utility Infrastructure for Easy Access and Maintenance . . 108
What is the Public Right-of-Way?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 UI.4 Use Trenchless Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Why High Performance Guidelines?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Stormwater Management
Guidelines Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning. . . . . . . . 116
Guidelines Development Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SM.2 Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control . . . . . . . . . 119
Guiding Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations. 121
Best Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Integration of Best Management Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SM.5 Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Benefits
SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
High Performance Infrastructure Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Matrix of Best Management Practices and Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SM.8 Use Detention Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Trends and Precedents
SM.9 Use Infiltration Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SM.10 Use Bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
National Precedents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
New York City Precedents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Implementation Landscape
Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat. . . . . . . . . . . . 152
LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
PART TWO CITY PROCESS LA.4 Use Structural Soils Where Appropriate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
LA.5 Amend Existing Soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Description of Existing Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 LA.6 Perform Soil Berming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
‘Near-Term’ High Performance Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density, and Diversity of Trees. . . . . . . . . 163
‘Longer-Term’ High Performance Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 LA.8 Plant Trees to Maximize Shading of Pavement. . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
LA.9 Plant Trees in Trenches or Continuous Soil Zones. . . . . . . . . . . 168
PART THREE BEST PRACTICES LA.10 Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices. . . . . . . . . . 170
Site Assessment LA.11 Reduce Use of Turfgrass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . 38 LA.12 Use Low-Maintenance, Salt-Tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species. . 176
SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 LA.13 Use Water-Efficient Landscape Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 LA.14 Use Biointensive Integrated Pest Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 LA.15 Use Biotope-Based Plant Arrangement Along the Shade-Light Continuum 183
Streetscape Construction Practices

SS.1 Work with Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape . . 52 CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
SS.2 Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
SS.3 Improve Streetscape for Bicyclists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
SS.4 Improve Streetscape for Surface Mass Transit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 CP.4 Implement a Waste Management and Recycling Plan. . . . . . . . . 194
SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas. . . 64 CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction . . . . . 196
SS.6 Optimize Security Enhancements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 CP.6 Use Cleaner Construction Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
SS.7 Optimize Streetlighting and Signaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Appendix: Gateway Estates Case Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Pavement Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Acknowledgements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Illustration Credits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
PA.3 Maximize Pavement Albedo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines: Best Practices for the Public Right-of-Way
is a project of the New York City Department of Design and Construction and the Design Trust for Public Space.
New York City Department of Design and Construction

http://www.nyc.gov/html/ddc/
Design Trust for Public Space

http://www.designtrust.org/
EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Honorable Michael Bloomberg
Mayor
City of New York
David Burney, AIA
Commissioner
Dino Y.P. Ng, P.E.
Assistant Commissioner
Deborah Marton
Executive Director
Chelsea Mauldin
Deputy Director
PRIMARY AUTHORS
Hillary Brown, AIA
Design Trust Fellow
Principal, New Civic Works
Steven A. Caputo Jr.
Design Trust Fellow
Associate, New Civic Works
Kerry Carnahan
Signe Nielsen
Signe Nielsen Landscape Architects
© 2005 by the New York City Department of Design and Construction and the Design Trust for Public Space.
All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-0-9716942-7-9
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES
DESIGN TRUST PREFACE DDC PREFACE

The Design Trust for Public Space is a private non-profit organization dedicated to New York City has bit of a reputation. It is the most crowded, frenetic, and gritty city in
improving New York City’s public realm. Since our founding in 1995, we’ve tackled a the United States. However, like the proverbial tough guy with a heart of gold, New York
broad range of projects, but our goal has never varied: to provide project-specific, state- City is also, quietly, one of the greenest cities by several measures – including energy
of-the-art design expertise to New York City. It is our conviction that the city’s cultural use per capita and percentage of open space devoted to parkland. As Environmentalism
and democratic life depends on viable public space. To achieve our goals, we organize in the 21st Century is reconsidered, its traditionally perceived nemesis – dense,
teams of experts – architects, urban planners, graphic designers, landscape architects, concentrated urbanism – has emerged as its more energy-efficient redeemer. The two
ecologists, economists, or whoever may be required for a particular project. The philosophies, once thought to be incompatible, are in fact complementary.
selected experts become “fellows” of the Design Trust, which supports their work with
public agencies and community groups. These powerful and unexpected public/private In 1999, DDC’s Office of Sustainable Design, in partnership with the Design Trust,
collaborations generate solutions to complicated civic issues and overcome formidable affirmed a commitment to green building practices by publishing the High Performance
political and logistical hurdles. Building Guidelines. Today, six years later, DDC’s building portfolio is advancing the goal
of more environmentally responsible strategies. In order to also extend those strategies
Fundamental to all public space design is environmental sustainability, which the United to our public right-of-way, the DDC and Design Trust have reunited here to publish the
Nations World Commission on Environment and Development defines as “development High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines.
that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.” The Design Trust has taken the lead in helping New York The manner by which we design, build, maintain, and operate infrastructure within our
City become more sustainable through an ongoing partnership with the New York City urban right-of-way profoundly affects our ecology and every measure of our environment.
Department of Design and Construction (DDC). This collaboration began in 1999, with Our natural resources, such as air quality, waterway health, and vegetation, exist in
the publication of the High Performance Building Guidelines. Since that document’s a state of interdependence with each other and with our built urban infrastructure.
publication, DDC has built more than two dozen green buildings – a revolution in terms Whether directly or indirectly, both the built and natural environment affect our health,
of city building practices – and incorporated sustainable features in numerous projects. well-being, and quality of life. Although the environmental, social, and economic
In 2003, the Design Trust and DDC expanded these efforts by undertaking creation of benefits of green buildings have been understood for some time, the concept of green
the High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines. Nationally unique, this document will infrastructure is relatively new.
improve New York City’s environmental quality through design, as the innovative materials
and construction techniques it details are implemented over time. This document outlines the range of possibilities suggested by the notion of green
infrastructure. The landscape-intensive nature of this concept demands a certain kind of
To create the High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines, the Design Trust and DDC approach, and the reader may note that particularly urban variables, such as scale, age,
assembled a remarkable team, comprised of Design Trust fellows Hillary Brown, Stephen and proximity, have been given special consideration. Consideration has also been given
Campbell, and Steven Caputo; DDC Assistant Commissioner Dino Ng and his staff; to the type of infrastructure work addressed in order to endorse practices that promise
and Signe Nielsen Landscape Architects. This document attests to their dedication the most benefits.
and commitment to excellence. The team worked closely with the City agencies that
have jurisdiction over New York City’s infrastructure and solicited input from an array of In New York City, the majority of work performed in the right-of-way is remedial and
other expert sources, including an advisory panel of regional officials and academic and space is at a premium, precluding certain conventional notions of “greening.” However,
private-sector peer reviewers. This collaborative process provided invaluable feedback the massive scale of our built environment ensures even the most minor and invisible
and evinced a deep-rooted optimism for the future of high performance infrastructure. improvements to our current practice will resonate in a way that is both real and powerful.
The city is proceeding with a new era of infrastructure reconstruction and rehabilitation,
By implementing sustainable practices in the public right-of-way, we will conserve energy, both in lower Manhattan and citywide, and the publication of this document could not be
improve air and water quality, and protect our waters, making New York City more more timely. The sound practices and intelligent ideals embodied within represent and
beautiful and livable. Just as the High Performance Building Guidelines received wide reaffirm DDC’s commitment to a more fiscally, socially, and environmentally responsible
acclaim and inspired comparable guidelines in other U.S. cities, we are confident that the future for New York City.
High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines will encourage a groundswell of innovation
here and throughout the nation. Implementing sustainable practices in the public right-of-
way enriches the urban experience for all New Yorkers, now and for generations to come.
David J. Burney, AIA

Commissioner, New York City Department of Design and Construction
Deborah Marton October 2005
Executive Director, Design Trust for Public Space
October 2005

PART ONE
ACHIEVING HIGH
PERFORMANCE
OVERVIEW
What is the Public Right-of-Way?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Why High Performance Guidelines? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Guidelines Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Guidelines Development Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Guiding Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Best Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Integration of Best Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
BENEFITS
High Performance Infrastructure Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Matrix of Best Management Practices and Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
TRENDS AND PRECEDENTS
Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
National Precedents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
New York City Precedents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
IMPLEMENTATION
Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART ONE ACHIEVING HIGH PERFORMANCE ˙ OVERVIEW
overview Finally, the right-of-way is host to nature and natural processes. Trees, vegetation, and
soil interspersed throughout the streetscape offset the sharp edges and hard surfaces
of the built environment. Landscaped areas perform invaluable services by producing
oxygen, improving air quality, providing shade and local cooling, and absorbing and
treating stormwater.
Sustainable practices can be applied each of these aspects of the right-of-way. The
public right-of-way in New York City comprises over 20,000 paved lane miles –
approximately 1.2 billion square feet – or an area nearly double the size of Manhattan.
Given the size of this asset and the scope of the City’s annual infrastructure
investments – over $2 billion – there is potential to gain considerable benefit from
even modest improvements in right-of-way components.
Why High Performance Guidelines?

This publication, High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines (Guidelines), provides
a roadmap for incorporating ‘best management practices’ (BMPs) into New York
City’s right-of-way infrastructure capital program. The Guidelines are written for
the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), but they are also intended for
use by planners, designers, engineers, public officials, and anyone else involved in
constructing, operating, or maintaining the right-of-way.
Through publishing these Guidelines, the City and the Design Trust for Public
“Streets and their sidewalks – the main public places of a city – are its most vital organs…” Jane Jacobs Space seek improved environmental, social, and economic outcomes for the City’s
infrastructure investments. Furthermore, the Guidelines consider improving natural-
system and human health an essential part of an infrastructure capital project.
What is the Public Right-of-Way? The High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines allow for a practical, incremental
approach to implementing best management practices. The BMPs that are described
The public right-of-way organizes the massive flow of energy and matter that courses
in Part Three of the document are applicable to a wide range of maintenance and
through the city on a daily basis. Right-of-way components include the roadway,
capital construction work, including minor structural roadbed work, street resurfacing
sidewalks, sub-grade systems, and landscaped areas, and the design of each
projects, sewer or water main rehabilitation, sidewalk construction projects, and major
these components profoundly affects our experience of the city. By undertaking
right-of-way reconstruction or new construction – all undertakings of the Department
coordinated, sustainable approaches to streetscape design, construction, operations,
of Design and Construction. DDC’s implementation of best practices in a series of
and maintenance – and by joining considerations of function and performance with
pilot projects over time, coupled with the agency’s ongoing upgrading of standards
concern for the human experience of the urban environment – cities can promote
through research and development, represents a measured but committed approach
safety, reliability, cost effectiveness, public health, and quality of life.
to enhancing the performance of right-of-way infrastructure.
On its surface, the right-of-way rationalizes and choreographs the complex circulation
Many of the best practices contained in the Guidelines already have a proven track
of automobiles, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians, prioritizing them through its geometry,
record in New York City. Photographs and brief descriptions of exemplary New
lane markings, crosswalks, and signaling – allowing each to yield to the other in a safe
York projects are woven throughout the Guidelines, and six of these projects are
mix. The streetscape is also shared public real estate for the social and economic
described in detail in Part One. Other best practices are drawn from public and
activity that enriches civic life. City streets double as play space and rallying grounds,
private sources in the United States and abroad and were chosen for their relevancy
while sidewalks serve as zones of casual interchange, shopping, dining, and display.
to the metropolitan area. Some of these best practices are readily achievable in New
Below grade, the right-of-way houses a complex and vital network of utility York City, while others are more far-sighted. By weaving together innovative goals and
infrastructure. Pipes and conduits convey potable water, gas, electricity, and proven best management practices, the Guidelines will help diverse stakeholders
telecommunications, while others carry off storm- and wastewater. make coordinated, incremental infrastructure improvements according to a long-term
shared vision.

Guidelines Organization Guidelines DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

On any given capital project, players from both the public and private sectors The High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines are the product of collaboration
participate in planning, scoping, funding, designing, constructing, and maintaining between the Design Trust for Public Space and the New York City Department of
municipal infrastructure. Part One of the Guidelines provides each participant Design and Construction (DDC). Founded in 1995, the Design Trust for Public
with an overview of the desirability of improved infrastructure and a general Space is a private non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality
understanding of critical objectives. Part One also assists external stakeholders and understanding of New York City’s public realm. Also founded in 1995, The
– politicians, community groups, developers, and citizens – in strategic thinking Department of Design and Construction is the centralized agency that performs
about place-based, environmentally sound infrastructure solutions. the majority of New York City’s capital improvement projects that were formerly
undertaken by a number of separate agencies. DDC’s interagency mission is a
Part Two provides an overview of how infrastructure is planned, funded, designed
tremendous asset to implementing high performance infrastructure practices
and built by the New York City Department of Design and Construction, in
citywide.
collaboration with its client agencies. Part Two contains recommendations for
helping the involved City agencies and private utilities incorporate high performance The High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines are conceived to complement a
practices into both typical and special infrastructure work. Part Two also proposes previous publication that DDC and the Design Trust collaboratively produced in
enhancements to decision-making techniques – including life cycle cost analysis 1999, the High Performance Building Guidelines.1 The publication of the Building
and environmental valuation that is fundamental to achieving the most cost Guidelines provided a roadmap for DDC to incorporate sustainable practices into its
effective, best performing, and sustainable infrastructure projects. This section capital building program. Since publication, DDC has designed and built 25 green
advocates for a more coordinated right-of-way planning effort and integrated buildings, and it is continually revising design standards to mainstream sustainable
design among public agencies as well as residential, commercial and industrial practices. The High Performance Building Guidelines were widely acknowledged
stakeholders, helping them effectively coordinate long-term implementation across throughout the building industry and public sector, and led to the development of
space and time. similar guidelines in major U.S. cities.
Part Three is the technical component of the Guidelines. It begins with a discussion To develop the High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines, the team – comprised of
of optimal site assessment and scoping techniques. It then sets out numerous Design Trust fellows, DDC representatives, and landscape architecture consultants
best management practices organized according to the primary categories – worked closely with the City agencies that have jurisdiction over right-of-way
of infrastructure work – streetscape design, pavement, utilities, stormwater infrastructure, including the Departments of Transportation (DOT), Environmental
management, and landscape. A final section in Part Three contains best practices Protection (DEP), Parks and Recreation (DPR), and Housing Preservation and
for construction and site management. The BMPs in Part Three are formatted Development (HPD). DDC’s ‘client agencies’ influenced the scope of research,
to help frame both problems and solutions. They contain useful background advised on technical and procedural issues, and conducted a peer review of the
information, key objectives for improved performance, and detailed technical Guidelines.
strategies for achieving those objectives. The BMPs also explain benefits and
limitations, and identify opportunities for integrating multiple practices. The team also solicited input from a regional advisory panel – consisting of
infrastructure planning officials from northeastern cities and states – and a peer
A brief case study on the development of Gateway Estates in Brooklyn, New York,
review panel – consisting of New York City consultants, academicians, and
follows the BMPs. Based on a design simulation conducted during the development
infrastructure experts. Finally, the authors of InfraGuide – the Canadian National
of the Guidelines, the case study envisions how the High Performance Infrastructure
Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure – and the sustainable design
Guidelines could be implemented in future phases of Gateway Estates and other
consultants, Steven Winter Associates, Inc., conducted separate technical reviews
projects like it. A glossary, acknowledgements section, and index conclude the
of the Guidelines.2 All of these groups provided invaluable feedback, enthusiasm,
Guidelines.
and direction for the project. For a complete list of contributors, please see the
acknowledgements section, beginning on page 208.
1
The High Performance Building Guidelines were also made possible through funding from the Robert Sterling
Clark Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority.
2
InfraGuide is funded by Infrastructure Canada and implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
in collaboration with the National Research Council.

Guiding Principles
Promote sustainable urban ecology
The emerging field of ‘urban ecology’ increases our understanding of how urban
environments are the product of complex interactions between constructed and
natural systems. While people are the dominant agents of change in cities, ecological
processes are also dynamic, and they may be affected in ways that significantly
impact human health and the built environment. Examples of these phenomena
include the urban heat island effect, smog formation, flooding and hydrologic
disruptions, and the proliferation of invasive species. The protection and regeneration
of local and regional ecosystems is essential since urban dwellers vitally depend on
‘ecosystem services’ such as breathable air, safe drinking water and nutritious food.
City planners, architects, engineers, and ecologists can develop infrastructure that
promotes harmony and synergy with the natural environment, resulting in improved
ecological productivity and better public health outcomes.
Enhance public health, safety, and quality of life

The design of the public right-of-way critically impacts urban living. Variations in
streetscape geometry, grading, materials, colors, textures, and thermal and acoustic
properties can either help or hinder our safe and comfortable navigation of the
city. Well designed streetscapes balance the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, mass
transit users, and automobile drivers, and they offer a range of amenities and
enhancements that will benefit public health, safety, and quality of life. Undertaking
streetscape improvements will encourage civic pride and social engagement, reduce
crime rates, bolster property values, foster economic development, and help to
revitalize communities.
Optimize lifecycle and performance

The ‘lifecycle’ of an infrastructure asset includes all the stages of its existence from
‘cradle to grave’ – i.e. from the initial production of its material inputs through the
end of its service life and disposal. The Guidelines seek to minimize costs and
environmental impacts throughout the entire lifecycle of infrastructure assets,
while maximizing performance and longevity. Critical objectives include effectively
coordinating right-of-way construction, using best-available technologies, designing
utilities for easy access, reducing conflicts between adjacent or overlapping
components, using non-destructive maintenance techniques, and undertaking
timely preventative maintenance. Consequently, the City will realize better returns on
infrastructure investments and will benefit from greater reliability, less environmental
impact, and less disruption to communities and businesses.
Manhattan’s Greenwich Street (top) and Route 9A (bottom) have both been redesigned using high
performance principles.

Best Management Practices trees to develop deep roots. This practice will significantly enhance
tree health and also minimize damage to pavements by preventing
High Performance Infrastructure best management practices are based on the core upward root growth. (LA.4)
principles of sustainable design: ˙ Using pervious pavement will reduce stormwater runoff and
˙ limiting waste and hazardous substances peak demand on stormwater management infrastructure, while
˙ using materials and resources efficiently providing an adequate driving surface for vehicles. (PA.4)
˙ reducing detrimental impacts to the air, water, soil and vegetation ˙ Utilizing trenchless technologies to repair water-main
˙ promoting energy efficiency infrastructure will minimize trench cutting and subsequent
˙ improving lifecycle and performance pavement degradation. (UI.3)
˙ enhancing public health, safety and quality of life
The Guidelines contain best management practices (BMPs) applicable to the typical Integrated Design
section of the public right-of-way, encompassing street and sidewalk, underground This systems-oriented approach focuses on improving the performance of the entire
utilities, stormwater infrastructure, landscapes, and streetscape elements. In the roadway system. Design integration requires cross-disciplinary teamwork at the
City of New York, considerable opportunity exists for incorporating BMPs into planning, scoping, design, and construction stages. It promotes comprehensive
projects of different scales and levels of complexity. Many BMPs will be implemented performance improvements, compounds environmental benefits, and potentially
incrementally through the upgrade and replacement of individual infrastructure offers substantial cost savings. Undertaking design integration is beneficial
components over time. In new developments or major roadway reconstruction for infrastructure upgrade and it is critical in creating new infrastructure. The
projects, the City can maximize benefits by employing best practices to coordinate “integration” section in each BMP identifies opportunities for integrated design. In
capital investments and to develop integrated designs for the entire roadway system. addition, a graphic on the following pages illustrates opportunities for integrating
BMPs within a typical streetscape.
Component Optimization
Examples of integrated design:
At the single-component level, standard details or specifications may be improved
˙ Designing a roadway with a diversely planted center median
to optimize performance, minimize environmental impact, use materials more
that functions as both a traffic calming device and a stormwater
efficiently, improve construction practices, or extend lifecycle.
bioretention area will improve pedestrian safety, minimize
Examples of component optimization: stormwater runoff, dampen street noise, and improve air quality.
˙ Using reclaimed ‘supplementary cementitious materials’ to ˙ Designing an accessible utility corridor for subsurface utilities
increase pavement strength. (PA.6) within the roadway will allow for easy maintenance, minimization of
˙ Using light-emitting diodes for streetlighting to increase efficiency right-of-way disruption, extended pavement lifecycle, and reduced
and reduce energy consumption. (SS.8) environmental impact from repeated excavation and disposal of
sub-base.
˙ Designing drought-tolerant, water-efficient landscapes to reduce
irrigation needs and potable water consumption. (LA.13) ˙ Designing a right-of-way with reduced impervious pavement area,
high-albedo pavements, and maximum shading by trees will
substantially help to reduce local urban heat buildup, improve air
Multifunctional Optimization quality, increase pavement durability, and calm traffic.
The density and close proximity of components in the right-of-way can lead to
unanticipated damage or degradation. Recognizing the mutual impact of adjacent
The advantages of employing these principles are explored in more detail in the
systems, the Guidelines seek to minimize conflicts among parts and, wherever
section titled ‘High Performance Infrastructure Benefits’ starting on page 12.
possible, to promote synergies. Undertaking multifunctional optimization strategies
A visual matrix relating best management practices to benefits is provided on pages
could lead to long-term cost savings, improved performance and lifecycle, reduced
16 and 17 to increase understanding and to aid in navigation of the document.
environmental impact, and increased returns on municipal investments.
Examples of multifunctional optimization:
˙ Using ‘structural soils’ in tree planters will provide load-bearing
capacity for sidewalk pavements while offering a better medium for

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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART ONE ACHIEVING HIGH PERFORMANCE ˙ BENEFITS
Benefits cars with electric vehicles.7 While no similar studies exist for New York City, the
benefits of reducing urban heat island effect are clear.
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE BENEFITS Improved Air Quality

Vehicular emissions, especially diesel-powered trucks and buses, are a primary
Through employing best practices that treat the right-of-way as a series of linked and
source of harmful air pollutants in urban areas – including greenhouse gases, carbon
interacting systems – and by making capital improvements accordingly – the City can
monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SOx), nitrogen dioxide (NOx), and particulate matter
capture a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits. A matrix on page
– and they are a contributing factor in up to 250,000 asthma attacks per year in New
16 depicts the relationships among the numerous best practices and their associated
York City.8 Numerous studies have linked particulate matter to respiratory ailments,
benefits. These benefits are described on the following pages.
chronic lung diseases, pneumonia, heart disease, and increased mortality rates.
Urban Heat Island Effect Mitigation In the past two decades, the amount of ‘vehicle miles traveled’ (VMT) on the City’s
highways has increased significantly, making it difficult to attain federal air quality
The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is the increase in urban air temperatures
standards for a number of air pollutants.9
resulting from the proliferation of dark colored, heat-absorptive pavements and
surface materials of buildings, as well as from changes to landscape and hydrology Undertaking best practices in right-of-way design and construction can result in
that reduce evaporative cooling. An increase in air temperatures as much as six to considerable air quality improvements. For example, streetscape improvements
eight degrees Fahrenheit can trigger a range of public health problems, especially encouraging walking, bicycling, and mass transit use in Portland, Oregon, resulted in
affecting children, the elderly, and people with existing respiratory ailments.3 The an 8% decrease in vehicle miles traveled, a 6% decrease in NOx emissions, and a 3%
urban heat island effect exacerbates the concentration of ground level ozone, a decrease in CO emissions.10 Other studies have documented the effectiveness of urban
harmful eye and respiratory irritant for which NYC is in ‘severe non-attainment’ of trees and vegetation in producing oxygen, intercepting and settling pollutant particles,
federal air quality standards.4 The urban heat island effect also increases demand for and absorbing gaseous pollutants. One such study found that localized air quality
air conditioning, resulting in higher energy consumption and power plant emissions. improvements in urban areas containing 100% tree cover are as high as 15% for
Projections indicate that the combined effects of urban heat and global warming, if ozone, 14% for SOx, 13% for particulate matter, and 8% for NOx.11 Studies conducted
left unchecked, could increase average temperatures by an additional five to ten by the USDA Forest Service in New York City estimate that in one year the City’s trees
degrees over the next 100 years, resulting in as many 90-degree days in NYC as were responsible for removing over 1800 metric-tons of air pollution at an estimated
currently in Miami.5 value of nearly $10 million.12 Yet another study found that a single mature tree can
New York City has 20,000 lane miles of dark colored, impervious pavement in the absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and release enough oxygen to support
right-of-way alone – in aggregate an area nearly double the size of Manhattan. two human beings.13 The economic benefits of urban trees are likely to increase as
Undertaking a comprehensive strategy to minimize urban heat island effect financial markets for trading carbon dioxide emissions develop in the near future.
– reducing paved area, using pervious pavements, increasing pavement albedo
(reflectivity), and designing landscapes to maximize shading of pavements – could 7
Brian Stone Jr and Michael O. Rodgers. Urban Form and Thermal Efficiency, How the Design of Cities
reduce summertime temperatures by several degrees and could save the City Influences Urban Heat Island Effect. APA Journal Spring, 2001. Vol. 67, No. 2.
millions of dollars. A recent study of the City of Los Angeles indicated that increasing http://www.wisc.edu/urpl/people/stone/UFTE.pdf
8
pavement albedo citywide could be worth $90 million a year in energy savings, Diesel exhaust, in particular, contains dozens of constituent chemicals that are human toxicants, carcinogens,
reproductive hazards, or endocrine disruptors. Diesel exhaust contains approximately 100 times more fine
smog reduction, and related public health benefits.6 Another study estimated that particulate matter than gasoline exhaust. Natural Resources Defense Council. Exhausted By Diesel: How
a reduction in urban temperatures of approximately 3 degrees Farenheit would America’s Dependence on Diesel Engines Threatens Our Health. Page V.
produce air quality benefits equivalent to replacing a city’s entire fleet of gas-powered http://www.coalitionforcleanair.org/pdf/reports/cca-reports-exhausted-by-diesel.pdf
9
Vehicle Miles Traveled on NYC’s highways and principle arteries increased by 40% between the years 1982
and 1996, while population grew by only 3%. US Environmental Protection Agency. Our Built and Natural
Environments: A Technical Review of the Interaction Between Land Use, Transportation, and Environmental
Quality. Page. 29. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/built.pdf
3 10
Lawrence Berkeley Lab Heat Island Group. http://eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/ US Environmental Protection Agency. Improving Air Quality Through Land Use Decisions. Page 28.
4
City of New York Department of City Planning. 2002 Report on Social Indicators. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/transp/trancont/r01001.pdf
Chapter 8 – The Environment. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/pub/socind02ch8.pdf 11
David J. Nowak. USDA Forest Service, Syracuse, NY “The Effects of Urban Trees on Air Quality.”
5
Janine Bloomfield. Environmental Defense Fund. Hot Nights in the City: Global Warming, http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/syracuse/gif/trees.pdf. (Page 1)
Sea-Level Rise and the New York Metropolitan Region. New York: EDF, 1999. Page 5. 12
Estimate based on data from the year, 1994. Ibid. (Page 2)
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/493_HotNY.pdf 13
Mike McAliney. Arguments for Land Conservation. Trust for Public Land, Sacramento, CA. As referenced in
6
Lawrence Berkeley Lab Heat Island Group http://eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/Pavements/Cost.html “Benefits of Trees in Urban Areas.” Colorado Tree Coalition. http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm#2
12
Improved Water Quality, Hydrology, and Aquatic Ecosystem Health Enhanced Ecological Health and Productivity
Despite major gains in water quality over the past few decades, New York City still In recent decades, the pace of urbanization in New York City has far exceeded the
faces a critical hurdle. Between 70% and 80% of the City’s 6,000 mile sewage rate of population growth, resulting in degradation of natural habitat and loss of
system consists of combined sanitary and stormwater sewers that become biodiversity.18 One endangered, yet still vital, natural resource in New York City is
overwhelmed during large storm events. As many as 40 billion gallons of ‘combined Jamaica Bay, which is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Jamaica Bay
sewer overflows’ (CSOs) – containing around 20% untreated sewage – are provides habitat for over 350 types of waterfowl and shorebirds, making it one of
discharged into the City’s receiving waters each year.14 CSOs are the single largest the best bird watching locations in the western hemisphere.19 However, salt water
source of pathogens in the NY harbor region, and also contribute high levels of marshes in the bay have diminished at an alarming rate in recent years as the result
nutrients, suspended solids, metals, oxygen-demanding substances, bacteria, and of landfilling operations, channel dredging, water pollution, and hardening of the
viruses.15 Besides causing combined sewer overflows, urban stormwater runoff also bay’s shores with infrastructure. Future efforts to develop infrastructure and housing
disrupts natural hydrologic cycles and harms receiving waters by causing erosion, in the bay’s watershed must seek to minimize environmental impact and enable
habitat damage, temperature increases, eutrophication, turbidity, and toxicity. In fact, regeneration.
studies show that untreated urban stormwater runoff generated during the first hour
of intense storm events – referred to as the first-flush or ‘water quality volume’ – can As the home of nearly 500,000 street trees, New York City’s public right-of-way
have even greater pollutant concentrations than raw sewage. comprises essential connective tissue for the regional ecosystem. The Guidelines
demonstrate numerous opportunities that exist within the right-of-way to improve
The Guidelines recommend numerous strategies to reduce, control, and treat ecological health and productivity, from the micro-scale of the streetscape to the
stormwater runoff as close to its source as possible. One highly successful and regional scale of Jamaica Bay. Increasing urban vegetation, promoting sustainable
versatile strategy is to use landscaped, or “bioengineered,” structures to capture landscape practices, and using bioengineered structures to reduce and treat
runoff, enabling infiltration or evapotranspiration to return water to natural hydrologic stormwater are among the many strategies.
pathways. Since soil and vegetation are excellent sinks for hydrocarbons, metals and
other stormwater pollutants, bioengineered BMPs offer the most cost-effective and Given its ability to reduce urban heat, sequester atmospheric carbon, reduce noise,
environmentally beneficial method of improving urban stormwater quality. provide habitat and control stormwater runoff, the value of urban vegetation cannot
be overstated. According to the USDA Forest Service, a single urban tree generates
The City of Seattle recently completed a pilot project to reconstruct a residential $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles
street in a threatened watershed using bioengineered stormwater management $37,500 worth of water, and controls $31,250 worth of soil erosion, over a 50 year
infrastructure. Known as the ‘Street Edge Alternative’, the reconstructed street not lifetime.20 In many cities, urban vegetation is responsible for billions of dollars of
only controls and treats runoff for storms as large as a once-in-two-years storm, but stormwater control.21 Investing in urban vegetation as part of a comprehensive plan
also it cost 20% less to build than a conventional street.16 Furthermore, the Street to improve infrastructure is extremely cost-effective. A recent study of the Chicago
Edge Alternative enhances roadway aesthetics, improves air quality, and offers other metropolitan area analyzed the costs and benefits of planting and maintaining
environmental, social, and economic benefits. The City of Philadelphia is undertaking 95,000 trees over a 30-year period. The study found that the benefits of air quality
similar initiatives in abandoned lots, roadway medians, and other hard-surface improvement, energy-use reduction, and stormwater management outweighed the
spaces to reduce CSOs and simultaneously promote urban revitalization.17 In a planting and maintenance costs by an average of nearly three-to-one, with payback
similar fashion, improving New York City’s streetscapes for stormwater management periods of as little as eight years after planting.22
will cost-effectively reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality,
while beautifying the urban environment, bolstering property values, and enhancing 18
From 1970 to 1990, urbanization in NYC increased 65% while population increased 8%. New York City
public health and quality of life.
Audubon Society. http://www.nycas.org/issues/population/
19
“A Report on Jamaica Bay.“ US Park Service. http://www.planning.nps.gov/document/gatenews1.pdf,
According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, birdwatchers spent $14.4 billion dollars – including $6 billion
on trip related expenses – in 1991 alone, and more than 24 million Americans took trips for the express
14
“Exploring the Nature of New York.” http://www.cs.gc.cuny.edu/~nature/nature/water.htm reason of bird watching.
15 20
NYC Department of Environmental Protection. 2003 Harbor Water Quality Report. USDA Forest Service Pamphlet #R1-92-100. Quoted in http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm#2.
http://www.nynjcoast.org/NYCDEPHarbor_survey/docs/factors/cso.htm 21
A recent study of the Washington DC region concluded that the existing 46% tree canopy reduces the need
16
Seattle Public Utilities. http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/About_SPU/Drainage_&_Sewer_System/index.asp for stormwater retention structures by 949 million cubic feet, valued at $4.7 billion. American Forests. “Trees
17
Glen J. Abrams. “New Thinking in an Old City: Philadelphia’s Movement Towards Low-Impact Development.” and Ecosystem Services.” http://www.americanforests.org/resources/urbanforests/naturevalue.php
22
NWQEP NOTES: The NCSU Water Quality Group Newsletter. February, 2004. ISSN 1062-9149. David J. Nowak, et al. Chicago’s Urban Forest Ecosystem: Results of the Chicago Urban Forest Climate
Number 112. North Carolina State University Water Quality Group. Project. USDA Forest Service, 1994. Referenced in “Trees as Community Infrastructure” from the Rhode
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/issues/notes112.pdf Island Statewide Planning Program. http://www.planning.ri.gov/forestplan/pdf/Part3.PDF
13
Reduced Noise Pollution Improved Energy Performance

Noise pollution is a serious public health hazard. In New York City, noise complaints New York City is already the most efficient urban energy consumer in America.
are the single most common call to the 311 citizen hotline, at an average of 1,000 For example, the average New York City household consumes 370 kilowatt hours
calls per day. Noise pollution not only causes hearing loss but can also pose per month compared to 865 kilowatt hours per month in the average American
higher risks of hypertension and certain types of heart disease. Unwanted noise household.27 Nevertheless, rising demand for electricity must be met with increased
also contributes to tiredness, impacts productivity, and induces anti-social and energy conservation and efficiency to maintain the viability of New York’s energy
depressed behavior.23 A primary objective for reducing noise is to minimize right- system. As previously mentioned, undertaking strategies in the right-of-way to
of-way construction and use proper noise-control techniques when construction is reduce urban heat will bring substantial energy savings. Additionally, New York City
necessary. The Guidelines advocate using greater discretion in granting permits for seeks to realize savings and improve emergency preparedness by maximizing the
night and weekend work, developing ‘noise management plans’ with community energy efficiency of streetlighting and signaling, and using renewable energy sources
input on large projects, and using special equipment to minimize the impact of wherever possible.
construction-related noise. To buffer noise from traffic and street-level activity, the
Guidelines recommend increasing the quantity and density of tree planting, and Reduced Use of Potable Water
using earth berms. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that street trees can New York City relies on over 1.1 billion gallons of water per day supplied from
absorb 50% of urban noise if planted appropriately.24 Earth berms can reduce noise upstate reservoirs. Although the City’s water supply is one of the most plentiful and
levels 3 to 5 dBa, while also providing aesthetic benefits and serving as repositories highest quality urban water supplies in the world, water conservation is a crucial
for excavated soil that would otherwise be transported to a landfill.25 Improving objective to ensure long-term viability and ecosystem health. The City has an existing
right-of-way design and construction to reduce noise pollution will lead to happy and conservation program that has successfully reduced consumption by more than a
healthier communities throughout the City. million gallons per day over the past few years. Notwithstanding this positive trend,
the potential need to develop new water filtration systems and to expand sewage
Reduced Waste infrastructure could result in significant capital expenditures in the future. The
Since the recent closing of Fresh Kills Landfill – the site that formerly received Guidelines seek to strengthen the City’s existing water conservation programs by
13,000 tons of New York City’s garbage per day – the City has faced rapidly advocating water-efficient landscape design to minimize irrigation needs. Additionally,
increasing costs for municipal waste disposal. Up to 40% of NYC’s annual landfill the Guidelines promote stormwater management techniques that will help to
material is construction and demolition waste. Finding ways to minimize waste and replenish underground aquifers, support the natural hydrologic cycle, and promote
recycle materials in right-of-way construction will help reduce pressure on the City’s the reuse of stormwater.
waste disposal system, decrease pollution, save money and energy, and in some
cases improve performance. For example, the use of coal fly ash and other reclaimed Improved Public Health, Safety, and Quality of Life
products as ‘supplementary cementitious materials’ in concrete not only offsets the Many of the environmental benefits previously discussed translate directly into
need for large quantities of energy-intensive Portland cement, but also increases improved public health, safety, and quality of life. For example, using urban
strength compared to conventional mixes. Through seeking a high rate of recycling vegetation and other strategies to decrease urban heat and air pollution will help
and waste reduction in infrastructure construction, New York City can promote reduce asthma rates, infant mortality, heat-related illness, cancer and other
significant economic development. The Netherlands, a small coastal country with ailments. Furthermore, studies show that the presence of urban vegetation leads
limited space for landfills, achieves 100% recycling for many materials used in its to a significant reduction in crime and domestic violence, and helps to improve
transportation sector, offering New York City a successful waste management model community relations and property values. Other beneficial strategies recommended
to emulate.26 by the Guidelines include designing streetscapes to support walking, biking, and
other forms of ‘active’ transportation; undertaking traffic calming to discourage
dangerous driving and reduce accidents; and enhancing right-of-way aesthetics
and amenities.
23
Center For Disease Control. National Center for Environmental Health. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/noise/
24
US Department of Energy Report. Quoted in http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm.
25
Highway Engineering Branch, Ministry of Transportation and Highways, British Columbia. Noise Control
Berms: Guidelines for the Use of Earth Berms to Control Highway Noise. January 1997. www.th.gov.bc.ca/
publications/eng_publications/environment/references/Noise_Control_Earth_Berms-Guidelines.pdf
26
Taylor T. Eighmy and Katherine Holtz. “Scanning European Advances in the Use of Recycled Materials in
27
Highway Construction.” Public Roads. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. “Addressing the Need for Long-term Reliable Energy in NYC.” Speech given on
July, 2000. Vol.64. No.1. http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/julaug00/recycscan.htm March 27th, 2001. http://www.nyc.gov/html/rwg/html/2001a/energy.html
14
Reduced Impact of Construction Decreased Operations and Maintenance Costs

As discussed above, the Guidelines seek to minimize preventable construction The Guidelines offer many strategies that could help reduce the cost of operating
activity whenever possible, and also to expedite construction and maintenance to and maintaining the public right-of-way. For example, the use of trenchless
minimize disruption to communities, street closures, traffic congestion and noise. technologies to repair a water main section would be far less expensive – not to
Other best practices are aimed at reducing the impact of construction on natural mention less harmful to the environment and less disruptive to local residents and
resources through implementing site protection measures, protecting water sources, businesses – than fully excavating the pavement to gain access to the utility. Other
minimizing damage to existing vegetation and habitat, using reduced-emission strategies, particularly for landscape, achieve cost savings by simply reducing the
materials, and using cleaner construction equipment. need for maintenance. Techniques include using low-maintenance native species
in landscapes, designing water-efficient landscapes, reducing the use of turf-
Enhanced Right-of-Way Lifecycle and Performance grass, using biointensive integrated pest-management, and so on. Finally, through
The Guidelines advocate the use of ‘lifecycle analysis’ to account for the full range improving the energy performance of streetlighting and signaling, the City could
of costs – including environmental and social impacts – over the entire life of an realize substantial operational cost savings.
infrastructure asset. The goal of lifecycle analysis is to determine the most cost-
effective technical strategies and investment decisions. Employing lifecycle analysis Deferred or Avoided Municipal Capital Costs
beginning in the early planning stages of an infrastructure project encourages Undertaking citywide, integrated stormwater management planning and seeking
designers to take proactive steps to ensure the reliability and durability of the to reduce, control, and treat stormwater runoff as close to its source as possible,
infrastructure asset. It also emphasizes the importance of effective, long-term are practices that could help defer or avoid enormous expenditures on centralized
maintenance, and minimization of unnecessary right-of-way construction that would water treatment facilities in the future. Experts agree that these techniques offer the
lead to lifecycle degradation. most cost-effective method of managing stormwater, minimizing combined sewer
overflows, and improving water quality. Expanding or creating new centralized
A compelling example of lifecycle degradation is the fact that over 100,000 cuts are water treatment facilities costs billions of dollars per site, and many communities
made annually in the City’s streets to gain access to subsurface utilities. Utility cuts throughout the City are opposed to such facilities. A change in approach would not
cause significant pavement degradation, which can eventually lead to water main only save money, it would also expedite water quality improvement. The cities of
breaks and other types of utility failure. The Guidelines contain recommendations Philadelphia and Seattle have recognized the value of localized stormwater initiatives,
for reducing the frequency of utility cuts, designing utilities for easy access and paired with other city planning initiatives, and have begun to realize significant
maintenance, using non-destructive trenchless technologies, and improving financial, social, and environmental benefits.
pavement restoration techniques. Other methods for improving infrastructure
performance and extending lifecycle include creating healthy low-maintenance Compliance with Environmental Regulations
landscapes, promoting strategies to minimize damage to sidewalks caused by Implementing the Guidelines will help New York City cost-effectively achieve
tree-roots, using certain recycled materials in pavements, and improving energy compliance with local, state, and federal regulations for air and water quality.
performance of lighting and signaling.
Increased Property Values and Economic Development
Decreased First Costs
Streetscape improvements have the potential to reinvigorate neighborhoods and
The most compelling scenario for decreasing first costs as a result of applying high increase property values – particularly in areas that currently suffer from urban blight
performance practices is a project like the Staten Island Bluebelt. The award-winning or disuse – since they help to improve community aesthetics, improve environmental
Bluebelt program uses bioengineered structures to provide ecologically-sound health, reduce crime rates, increase commercial and pedestrian activity, and
and cost-effective storm water management for approximately one third of Staten increase business investment. A persuasive example of this phenomenon is the
Island’s land area. The Bluebelt is estimated to have saved as much as $50 million community surrounding the Bluebelt in Staten Island, which has experienced
in infrastructure construction costs. First costs could also be reduced by decreasing significant increases in property values since the Bluebelt’s completion. Additionally,
roadway widths, using less expensive recycled or reclaimed materials in pavement, as the largest consumer of construction-related services in the northeast region,
minimizing construction and demolition waste, and so on. Many other techniques New York City can promote the development of sustainable technologies, products
in the Guidelines are cost-neutral, yet advantageous because they offer important and businesses, thereby enhancing long- term competitiveness of its regional
residual environmental and social benefits. construction industry.
15
Matrix OF
Improved Water Quality, Hydrology,

Best Management Practices
Reduced Impact of Construction

Improved Energy Performance
Reduced Use of Potable Water

and Aquatic Ecosystem Health
Municipal Capital Investment

and Benefits
Enhanced Ecological Health
Lifecycle and Performance
and Economic Development

Environmental Regulations
Increased Property Values

Safety, and Quality of Life
Reduced Noise Pollution
Improved Public Health,
Enhanced Right-of-Way
and Maintenance Costs

Decreased Operations
Improved Air Quality
Deferred or Avoided
Urban Heat Island
Effect Mitigation
Compliance with
and Productivity
Reduced Waste
SITE ASSESSMENT
SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities
SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis
SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation
STREETSCAPE
SS.1 Work with Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape
SS.2 Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians
SS.3 Improve Streetscape for Bicyclists
SS.4 Improve Streetscape for Surface Mass Transit
SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
SS.6 Optimize Security Enhancements
SS.7 Optimize Streetlighting and Signaling
PAVEMENT
PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide
PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
PA.3 Maximize Pavement Albedo
PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements
PA.5 Use Reduced-Emission Materials
PA.6 Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials
UUTILITIES
TILITIES
UI.1 Minimize Impact of Utility Work
UI.2 Improve Restoration of Utility Cut Trenches
UI.3 Coordinate Utility Infrastructure for Easy Access and Maintenance
UI.4 Use Trenchless Technologies
16
Improved Water Quality, Hydrology,
Reduced Impact of Construction

Improved Energy Performance
Reduced Use of Potable Water

and Aquatic Ecosystem Health
Municipal Capital Investment

Enhanced Ecological Health
Lifecycle and Performance
and Economic Development

Environmental Regulations
Increased Property Values

Safety, and Quality of Life
Reduced Noise Pollution
Improved Public Health,
Enhanced Right-of-Way
and Maintenance Costs

Decreased Operations
Improved Air Quality
Deferred or Avoided
Urban Heat Island
Effect Mitigation
Compliance with
and Productivity
Reduced Waste
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning
SM.2 Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control
SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations
SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
SM.5 Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips
SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts
SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets
SM.8 Use Detention Structures
SM.9 Use Infiltration Structures
SM.10 Use Bioretention
SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands
LANDSCAPE
LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning
LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat
LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
LA.4 Use Structural Soils Where Appropriate
LA.5 Amend Existing Soils
LA.6 Perform Soil Berming
LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
LA.8 Plant Trees to Maximize Shading of Pavement
LA.9 Plant Trees in Trenches or Continuous Soil Zones
LA.10 Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices
LA.11 Reduce Use of Turfgrass
LA.12 Use Low-Maintenance, Salt-Tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species
LA.13 Use Water-Efficient Landscape Design
LA.14 Use Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
LA.15 Use Biotope-Based Plant Arrangement Along the Shade-Light Continuum
CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan
CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction
CP.4 Implement a Waste Management and Recycling Plan
CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction
CP.6 Use Cleaner Construction Equipment
17
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART ONE ACHIEVING HIGH PERFORMANCE ˙ TRENDS AND PRECEDENTS
trends AND PRECEDENTS National Precedents

The City of Philadelphia
Trends The Philadelphia Office of Watersheds was created in 1999 to create and oversee a
multidisciplinary program to mitigate combined sewer overflows (CSOs). Since that
Throughout the country, people are developing local initiatives and practical programs
time, the Office of Watersheds has conducted integrated stormwater management
to promote sustainable development. A number of trends are converging to work in
planning to implement citywide and localized strategies for reducing stormwater
favor of constructing high performance infrastructure. These include emerging public
runoff. Using GIS mapping and lifecycle analysis, the City has determined that
awareness, political vision, and market forces.
the most cost effective approach to reducing CSOs and improving water quality
Increasing ‘civic environmentalism’: As part of a changing national attitude and one is to manage stormwater as close to its source as possible, rather than expanding
already emergent here in New York City, citizens are increasingly calling for local, or creating costly new centralized stormwater treatment plants. One example of a
incremental actions to prevent or solve environmental problems rather than relying on successful local intervention is the conversion of vacant lots throughout the city into
regulatory measures or capital improvement projects to address them. Local Business small ‘stormwater parks.’ Each stormwater park contains small-scale treatment and
Improvement Districts (BIDs), community greening programs, neighborhood block detention structures to manage the
associations, and grass-roots nonprofit groups are adopting innovative practices runoff from the lot and surrounding
through citizen engagement and partnership with local businesses that can improve buildings. The Office of Watersheds
community and regional environmental quality. worked with local community
groups in the design of the park
Sustainability as an emerging principle for capital planning: Cities and states across the environment, including seating, play
country are increasingly implementing ‘smart growth,’ transit-oriented development, areas, murals and landscaping. The
responsible energy policies, environmentally-preferable procurement, and green result is not only a cost-effective
building measures to promote sustainable development. These entities are realizing solution to managing stormwater
that undertaking integrated planning processes, applying best available technologies, runoff, but also the creation of
and coupling these efforts with positive economic development forces can revitalize valuable public space, which
communities, improve environmental quality, and realize cost-savings simultaneously. improves quality of life for residents,
improves environmental quality,
Market-driven innovation: The national green building movement’s success at market increases property values, and
transformation is the model for similar change from within the infrastructure encourages urban revitalization.
sector. The US Green Building Council has promoted widespread use of its green
building rating tool LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which Philadelphia is also conducting
is an assembly of consensus-based best management practices, similar to the demonstration projects to construct
Guidelines. National use of LEED®– in particular its adoption by many state and local bioretention BMPs in urban right-
governments and federal agencies – has significantly impacted conventional practices of-ways. The success of these
in the building sector. Promotion of high performance practices in the infrastructure demonstration projects could
sector can emerge from a coalition among industry professionals, government transform public rights-of-way
officials, economic experts, and product manufacturers. Greener products and throughout the city in an effort
technologies are already beginning to emerge in the pavement and wastewater to optimize on-site stormwater
infrastructure industries, and more are likely to follow. management. Other projects include
creating new parks and community
The following section outlines a number of compelling initiatives occurring in cities Philadelphia vacant lot (top) transformed into
stormwater park (bottom) gardens with bioengineered
and states across the country. stormwater management BMPs,
renovating school yards to reduce impervious area and increase green space,
constructing infiltration basins underneath playing fields, resurfacing basketball
courts with pervious pavement, building stormwater treatment and control structures
in parking lots, and constructing green roofs. Future objectives for the Office of
Watersheds include overhauling the city’s existing stormwater ordinance, updating
land development codes, providing economic incentives for eliminating runoff, and
educating the public about the importance of watershed health.
18
The City of Seattle

Seattle Public Utilities recently constructed a bioengineered stormwater management
demonstration project called the ‘Street Edge Alternative’ to test new approaches to
on-site stormwater management and streetscape improvement. The 660 foot long
reconstructed street has 11% less impervious pavement surface than a traditional
street, provides stormwater detention in small, diversely landscaped swales, and
contains over 100 new evergreen trees and 1,100 shrubs. The Street Edge Alternative
street not only controls and treats 98% of the stormwater from up to a two-year storm,
it also cost 20% less to build than a conventional street and offers a range of social
and environmental benefits.
Seattle Public Utilities is also partnering with Seattle Housing Authority to construct
a natural drainage system for a 129 acre housing redevelopment – one of Seattle’s
largest redevelopments in recent history – located in the threatened Longfellow Creek
Watershed. The natural drainage system integrates 22,000 linear feet of bioretention
swales into the right-of-way, providing both storage and infiltration for stormwater
from surrounding blocks. Once built, the natural drainage system will provide water
quality treatment for the 6-month storm and attenuate the two-year, 24-hour storm
to pre-developed pasture conditions, resulting in substantially improved water quality The green roof on Chicago’s City Hall
compared to conventional drainage infrastructure.
The City of Chicago
The City of Chicago has undertaken a series of innovative projects to reduce urban
heat, minimize stormwater reduce runoff, improve urban hydrology, enhance air
quality, increase urban vegetation and habitat, and promote urban revitalization.
Chicago’s most renowned initiative is the construction of a 38,800-square-foot green
roof on top of the City Hall, the most visible structure in the entire city. The roof
is a living laboratory that was designed to test cooling effects, stormwater control,
vegetative health, and habitat creation potential of three different green roof designs
containing over 100 plant species. Initial monitoring for heat reduction has proven
enormously successful: Surface temperatures of the roof have decreased over 70
degrees during the summer, resulting in a reduction of air temperatures on the roof by
15 degrees.
Chicago has also undertaken groundbreaking initiatives in landscaping and

streetscape design. For nearly 15 years, the City has abided by – and periodically
improved – a municipal landscape ordinance that requires plantings along roadways,
adjacent to buildings, in parking lots, and in many other areas citywide. The Chicago
Department of Transportation recently published streetscape guidelines to encourage
high quality, pedestrian-oriented design of the public right-of-way. The cumulative
effect of these initiatives has been transformative for the city. As Steve Berg of the
Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote, “few boulevards in the world can match the flower-
bedecked splendor of Michigan Avenue, and public beauty is spreading like a
contagion down every street in the Loop and into the neighborhoods. No corner gas
station is safe from decorative lampposts and baskets of drooping geraniums. No
surface parking lot can escape a border of wrought-iron fencing and leafy canopies of
A proposed natural drainage system in Seattle
newly planted trees.”28
28
Steve Berg, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, September 10, 2000. http://www.newrules.org/environment/chiland.html
19
The City of Portland, Oregon

The City of Portland started its Skinny Streets Program in 1991 to reduce street
widths, calm traffic, and improve pedestrian safety. The result of this initiative was
the development of the Portland Pedestrian Design Guidelines, the nation’s first
major planning effort aimed at enhancing walkability in cities. The Pedestrian Design
Guidelines became the model for pedestrian design initiatives in cities across the
country.
In 1995, Portland implemented an innovative, long-range planning initiative called

Metro 2040 to lay the groundwork for achieving a sustainable city in the future. The
Metro 2040 plans defines an urban growth boundary, encourages dense urban infill
development, promotes mass-transit ridership and walking, and seeks to minimize
urban sprawl over the coming decades. Ten years after its adoption, the Metro 2040
plan remains a model of enlightened urban planning in terms of its promotion of
efficient land use, proactive application of economic development forces, protection
of farmland and natural areas, advocacy of balanced transportation systems, inclusion
of diverse housing options, and overall sensitivity to urban ecology.
Newark Liberty International Airport infiltration trench
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has undertaken significant initiatives
to develop sustainable landscape specifications, improve planting and maintenance
practices, and optimize on-site stormwater maintenance at a number of regional
facilities. An important example is the recent construction of a diversely landscaped
infiltration trench at the Newark Liberty International Airport. Functioning as a
landscape median/buffer adjacent to a busy two-way road, the bioretention area has
a low curb profile to allow stormwater to flow across land and be captured. A pervious
paver buffer strip and a grass filter strip remove coarse sediments, debris, and salt
from runoff. Pretreated stormwater then flows into the infiltration trench, which is
landscaped with low-maintenance, salt-tolerant, native or naturalized species. Nearby,
the Port Authority built a long, narrow infiltration structure between a large impervious
parking area and the right-of-way. The infiltration structure is able to control and treat
stormwater runoff from both areas while taking up minimal space. These stormwater
management systems represent a significant enhancement to the aesthetics and
functionality of the airport’s right-of-way, and are well suited for application at many
other urban locations.
Portland’s Metro 2040 growth concept
20
New York City Precedents

New York City has a history of producing innovative infrastructure. It initiated
municipal streetlighting as early as 1762. In 1842, it began constructing what likely
is today the largest and highest quality urban water system in America. It was in
New York, in 1870, that America’s first underground subway was built. New York
revolutionized urban travel and recreation with the creation of the parkway system in
the 1920’s and 1930’s. But perhaps New York City’s most impressive infrastructure
achievement is one that few people would consider as such: Central Park.
Unsuspecting visitors to Central Park could mistake it for a swath of primordial

landscape. The Park’s meandering hills, broad water courses, and jutting rock
formations are such a stark contrast to its highly urbanized surroundings that it
seems to be a piece of preserved wilderness. In fact, Central Park is an entirely
constructed domain. Beginning in 1858, its construction involved 20,000 workers,
the transportation of five million cubic yards of rock and soil, the planting of
more than one million trees and shrubs, and the installation of over 100 miles of
drainage pipe.29 With this in mind, one can appreciate how ingenious the Park is as
infrastructure. It offers the City’s greatest recreational opportunities, with 250 acres
of lawns, over 50 miles of walking trails and bike paths, and dozens of playing fields.
An innovative series of bridges, tunnels, ring- and transverse-roadways enables cars
to drive through the Park with little impact. The Park contains a large reservoir and
system of lakes and subsurface infrastructure that control and treat huge volumes
of stormwater runoff. Its diverse vegetation provides habitat for over 275 species of
resident and migratory birds, making it one of the great bird watching locations in
America. So instrumental is Central Park’s landscape to cleaning New York City’s
air that since 1870, New Yorkers have referred to the park as the City’s “lung” and
“breathing place.”
It is the deft interweaving of constructed and natural systems that makes Central Park
– like other great City parks – such a compelling example of urban infrastructure. Its
provisions for recreation, transportation, water storage, stormwater management, air
quality improvement, and extensive natural habitat, have enriched urban living and
provided environmental benefits for generations of New Yorkers. The presence of the
Park has also spurred economic development, with nearby property values increasing
exponentially in its first decades of existence and rising ever since. At present, the
Park annually attracts 25 million visitors.30 Central Park is an enduring and instructive
model of the purposeful role of nature in the city, and a vision of the profound benefits
of urban design innovation. Its legacy is revealed in the recent New York City projects
described on the following pages.
29
Robert A.M.Stern, et al. New York 1880: Architecture and Urbanism in the Guilded Age.
New York: Mancellli Press, 1999. Page 89. Birds Eye View of Central Park in 2000 (top) and 1863 (bottom)
30
Undeveloped lots at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 86th Street that were valued at little more
than $500 in 1847 were worth in excess of $20,000 by 1868. Matthew Gandy, Concrete and Clay:
Reworking Nature in New York City, Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2002. Page 84.
21
EXAMPLE GREENING OF GREENWICH STREET Project Goals

˙ Calm traffic and improve safety through narrowing the roadway, adding traffic
signals, clarifying crosswalks and providing safe bus loading zones for children.
˙ Provide as much planting as possible within the widened sidewalk.
˙ Create a supportive space for a twice-weekly farmers market.
˙ Integrate and expand a popular neighborhood park.
˙ Provide pedestrian amenities including seating, bike racks, additional street
lighting and bollards at parking garage exits.
˙ Upgrade subsurface utilities to limit future reconstruction.
˙ Support local retail by encouraging more pedestrian movement.
Project Challenges
˙ A plethora of utility lines under the widened sidewalk that could not be
relocated, including a high-temperature steam line, water and gas mains and
fiber optic cables.
˙ Very limited area for in-ground tree planting due to utility conflicts.
˙ Opposition by some neighborhood businesses to perceived traffic congestion,
reduced double parking space, and potential for undesirable nighttime gatherings.
˙ Concern by local property managers over increased maintenance needs.
˙ Multiple agency approvals and jurisdictions.
Project Outcomes
˙ The 38 foot roadway includes two parking lanes and two moving lanes.
˙ Three laybys accommodate truck and school bus loading and double as head-in
parking at night to accommodate the local restaurant traffic.
˙ All intersections were upgraded with ADA-compliant ramps and striped crosswalks.
Location: Chambers to Hubert Streets, Manhattan ˙ Two traffic signals and one stop sign were added.
Client: NYC Economic Development Corporation ˙ In-ground trees were planted in double and triple rows by creating insulated,
Completed: 2000 continuous structural soil trenches that protect the roots from heat generated by the
Designer: Signe Nielsen Landscape Architect PC high-pressure steam line.
Project Cost: $3.5 Million ˙ Above-grade trees were added over water and gas lines by sealing the bottom of
the tree planters with concrete to protect the utility lines.
The Friends of Greenwich Street, a local community group, lobbied for nearly a ˙ Low in ground planters provide additional vegetation and are maintained by locals.
decade to have changes made to an eight-block stretch of Tribeca. The 110-foot right- ˙ Passive irrigation was provided for all planted areas for use during drought periods.
of-way was a holdover from the days when Greenwich Street was a major truck route ˙ The farmers market takes place in an unobstructed sidewalk zone with a
and an overhead railroad to transport goods from the waterfront to inland warehouses. mountable curb and reinforced pavement to accommodate trucks. In-ground
In 1996, NYC Economic Development Corporation funded a streetscape improvement hydrants were provided for wash down.
project to narrow the roadway to 38 feet from 80 feet, and to add 42 feet to the west ˙ The neighborhood park was expanded by 20 feet and the new fence integrated into
side sidewalk. Today, Greenwich Street has been reclaimed as a neighborhood street. the sidewalk design.
Festivals and parades are frequent occurrences, parents teach children to ride bikes, ˙ Pedestrian amenities were added throughout the streetscape, particularly at
and residents of all ages enjoy the sunny or shaded sitting areas. The Friends of pleasant viewing spots, residential and park entrances and popular retail locations.
Greenwich Street has become a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit maintenance corporation and ˙ All street lighting was upgraded with a more attractive fixture type and lower height
oversees landscape maintenance, public education programs to curtail dog damage, poles were added to illuminate the widened sidewalk.
de-icing salt spreading, and participation in seasonal plantings.
22
EXAMPLE RECONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 9A Project Goals

˙ Improve air quality by eliminating bottlenecks and improving signal timing.
˙ Improve pedestrian access to the waterfront and along Hudson River Park.
˙ Provide an important link in the Manhattan bikeway system.
˙ Ensure public participation in the planning and design process.
˙ Make utility upgrades to protect the 50-year pavement.
˙ Create a landscaped boulevard character by providing significant areas for planting.
Project Challenges
˙ Potential negative impacts to historic structures, public open space and
neighborhoods.
˙ Disruption of travel, congestion and noise during construction.
˙ Concerns over increased traffic on local streets serviced by Route 9A.
˙ Maintenance of access to waterfront during construction.
Project Outcomes
˙ Community groups participated in the planning process and contributed
significantly to the selection of light fixtures, crosswalk locations and local street
access, and construction impact mitigation.
˙ Construction was staged in six segments to minimize congestion and disruption,
and to maintain waterfront access.
˙ A crusher plant was constructed to create recycled aggregate; a local concrete
plant was reopened to avoid long distance transportation of concrete.
˙ The roadway is constructed of high-albedo concrete with a 50-year design life.
Location: Battery Place to 59th Street, Manhattan
˙ The Class I bikeway is 16 feet wide to accommodate two directions of travel plus
Client: New York State Department of Transportation
rollerbladers. A nine-foot raised, planted median separates it from the roadway.
Completed: 2001
˙ A 19-foot wide raised center median includes a double row of trees underplanted
Engineers: Vollmer Associates
with native shrubs (in lieu of turfgrass), and is protected from de-icing salts.
Landscape Architect: Signe Nielsen Landscape Architect PC
˙ Multiple tree and shrub species were used to avoid a monoculture; all plants are
Project Cost: $457 Million
drought-, salt-, and wind-tolerant.
˙ Sidewalk trees are planted in continuous structural soil trenches overlaid with
The reconstruction of Route 9A was originally conceived in the 1970s – recycled, un-grouted granite blocks.
in response to the collapse of the elevated West Side Highway – as an eight-lane
˙ Shoulders were eliminated to reduce the roadway width and increase the size of the
underground superhighway. However, heavy community resistance and a protracted
adjacent Hudson River Park. Parking is permitted on one side only.
legal battle ultimately led to the project’s demise. The project was revived and
˙ Many new pedestrian crossings were added, occurring approximately every three
redesigned in the late 1990’s, with significant public involvement, as an at-grade, tree- blocks. Bulb-outs were used on the east side to minimize crossing distance.
lined urban boulevard accommodating six to eight lanes of traffic, a continuous five-mile
˙ A continuous 15-foot wide pedestrian walkway is located between the bikeway
Class I bikeway, and a continuous walkway. To calm traffic and improve pedestrian
and the park, and is separated by a 5-foot planted median with pedestrian-scale
safety, the design speed was lowered from 60 mph to 40 mph. Substantial public
fixtures.
amenities, landscaping, and traffic calming features were provided while maintaining
˙ Lowered design speed (40 mph) improves safety and reflects urban character.
the roadway’s capacity and efficient operation.
˙ Four new landscaped open spaces containing passive and active recreation
Because of successful public participation and interdisciplinary planning, the facilities were created in conjunction with the realignment.
reconstruction of Route 9A is considered a premier example of ‘Context Sensitive
Design’, the FHWA’s methodology for creating safe, community-friendly, and
environmentally-beneficial transportation projects.
23
EXAMPLE STATEN ISLAND BLUEBELT Project Goals

˙ Preserve and restore natural drainage corridors, including streams, ponds, and
other wetland areas.
˙ Capitalize on the ability of natural and constructed wetlands to reduce the rate,
velocity and volume of stormwater runoff, promote aquifer recharge, and improve
overall area water quality.
˙ Connect natural drainage corridors with conventional storm sewers for an
integrated stormwater management system.
˙ Achieve community and environmental benefits from the preservation of open
space and wildlife habitat.
˙ Incorporate other publicly and privately owned wetland areas through DEP’s
acquisition program.
˙ Actively expand Bluebelt concept in mid-Island to develop 5,400 additional acres
of watershed.
Project Challenges
˙ New mid-island acquisitions are tidally influenced, with phragmites marsh
vegetation and flat topography.
˙ The arts and technologies of wetland restoration and artificial wetland construction
are relatively new and have never been attempted on such a large scale.
˙ Special attention to the problem of invasive species and other landscape
maintenance issues was needed.
˙ Required extensive interdisciplinary planning among ecologists, hydrologists, soil
Location: Staten Island, New York scientists, landscape architects, and engineers.
Client: Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Completion Date: Ongoing Project Outcomes
Project Team: Hazen and Sawyer; Center for Watershed Protection; ˙ The Bluebelt system currently drains 15 watersheds at the southern end of the
Environmental Concern; Blumberg & Butter island as well as Richmond Creek Watershed (approximately 10,000 acres).
˙ Preservation of existing wetland systems allows them to continue performing their
Large sections of Staten Island – NYC’s least populous borough – remain functions of conveying, storing, and filtering water.
undeveloped, particularly near the southern coast where the topography is glacial ˙ Community benefits include increased property values, enhanced aesthetics, and
low-lying outwash plain lined with streams, ponds, and wetlands. The combination provision of new open space resources.
of pre-existing wetlands and extensive undeveloped land area – much of which was ˙ The Bluebelt provides diverse wildlife habitats.
already owned by the City – presented an opportunity to develop a unique stormwater ˙ Community involvement is achieved through the Citizen’s Advisory Committee.
management system that would alleviate the excessive flooding that plagued ˙ The Bluebelt has lead to the development of new technical know-how that can
local neighborhoods and accommodate urban development, while minimizing be applied in projects of different scales throughout the City. The Bluebelt offers a
environmental impact and infrastructure construction costs. compelling new model for urban stormwater management.
˙ The Bluebelt has received numerous awards and accolades worldwide, most
The Staten Island Bluebelt provides ecologically sound and cost-effective stormwater recently a US EPA Region 2 Environmental Quality Award.
management for one third of Staten Island’s land area. The program connects ˙ The Bluebelt program saves tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure costs
structural stormwater control measures with existing natural drainage features to (estimated at $50 million in 1999) when compared with the costs of providing
manage runoff for 19 watersheds over 14,000 acres. Bluebelt-managed runoff is miles of conventional storm sewers to the same land area. This program
diverted into a series of constructed features, such as settling ponds, sand filters, demonstrates how wetland preservation can be economically prudent and
and constructed wetlands, that capitalize on the unique topography of the glacial environmentally responsible.
plain and provide water quantity and quality. Runoff then passes into the area’s
natural wetlands for final treatment, storage, and drainage. The Bluebelt has received
numerous awards and accolades worldwide, most recently a US EPA Region 2
Environmental Quality Award.
24
EXAMPLE GREENSTREETS PROGRAM Project Goals

˙ Transform barren concrete street islands, medians, and other impervious sections
of the right-of-way into gardens or allées.
˙ Encourage local stewardship of greenstreets.
˙ Promote urban beautification and revitalization cost-effectively.
Project Challenges
˙ Choosing appropriate sites and making sure that no underground utilities hinder
construction.
˙ Solving jurisdictional issues to gain access to the properties, especially sites that
were privately owned. Furthermore, sites must be of the right size and location.
˙ Designing the garden space to fit within very small boundaries;
˙ Designing to take in the flavor and texture of the community and a particular street.
˙ Ensuring that DOT curb standards are followed and that traffic signs remain
visible. All designs for DOT owned sites had to be approved by DOT.
˙ Determining the types of plants and landscapes that would survive in tough
conditions.
˙ Conducting excavation of complicated sites, particularly sites that were ‘painted
lines’ and needed curb and sidewalk construction.
˙ Maintaining the health and beauty of thousands of citywide street gardens.
Project Outcomes
˙ The 2,068 greenstreets citywide have added over 125 acres of green space to the
City – tens of thousands of shrubs, groundcover, and flowers. The green space has
markedly softened the streetscape environment.
˙ The addition of plant material helps clean the City of atmospheric pollutants and
moderates urban temperatures. In addition, it increases the space for wildlife
habitats and increases the beauty and property values of all New York City
neighborhoods.
˙ The Central Forestry and Horticulture Division receives dozens of requests for
greenstreets each year, coming from individuals, community groups, and politicians.
Location: Citywide ˙ About 40-50 sites are constructed or restored each year.
Client: New York City Department of Parks & Recreation ˙ A palette of hardy, pollution tolerant, and handsome plants has been developed
Completed: Ongoing and refined. The greenstreets ‘formula’ is reproduced for small streets or street-
Designers: Multiple DPR Landscape Architects adjacent horticultural sites all over the City.
˙ DPR has developed a successful maintenance program, with a team in each
Greenstreets is the most extensive urban beautification project in New York City borough. The agency keeps detailed data on the maintenance program, including
since the start of citywide neighborhood street planting in the early 20th century. In data on soil moisture and frequency of watering, cleaning, pruning, mulching, and
conjunction with the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Parks number of times a site has been visited.
& Recreation (DPR) has transformed over 2,000 street triangles, medians, and ˙ DPR has developed a stewardship program that has recruited individuals and
other impervious right-of-way areas into street gardens citywide. Greenstreets – “pint groups throughout the City to help care for greenstreets.
-sized parks,” as the New York Times referred to them – have lastingly greened the ˙ The greenstreets program has helped DPR refine its contract specifications, so
streetscape, improved air quality, reduced stormwater runoff, and improved quality of that contractors must guarantee their plants for two years and must water the
life for communities throughout the City. The total area of greenstreets equals more same plants for two years.
than 125 acres, providing bits of nature where least expected. ˙ DPR now grows replacement plants for all its greenstreets that are no longer under
contract guarantee at the Arthur Ross Citywide Plant Nursery.
25
EXAMPLE NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN CORRIDOR Project Goals

˙ Eliminate stormwater runoff from storms as large as a ten-year design storm.
˙ Reduce impervious surface area.
˙ Calm traffic and improve safety through narrowing the roadway.
˙ Provide as much planting as possible within the widened sidewalk.
˙ Provide pedestrian amenities including seating, bike racks, additional street lighting
and bollards at driveways.
˙ Design to meet all DEP and DOT design standards and regulations.
˙ Use low-maintenance, salt-tolerant native species that are adapted to both wet and
dry conditions.
˙ Save money on stormwater infrastructure improvements.
˙ Improve air quality through increased biomass.
˙ Enhance quality of life for community residents.
Project Challenges
˙ Accommodating driveways for truck access to remaining businesses along
the corridor.
˙ Developing a solution for conditions where a significant longitudinal slope moves
water too quickly for effective infiltration and plant root uptake.
˙ Selecting tree species that do not interfere with overhead utility lines.
˙ Mitigating the concern expressed by public agencies regarding maintenance
and safety.
Location: South Bronx, New York
Client: Design Funded by the National Oceanic Project Outcomes
and Atmospheric Administration ˙ An engineered soil was developed that allows for surface recharge of storm water
Completion Date: To Be Determined using a gap graded stone and organic soil medium.
Project Team: Signe Nielsen Landscape Architect PC; Gaia Institute; ˙ For streets with a gradient in excess of 5%, below grade check dams slow the flow
Leonard Strandberg Associates; Sam Schwartz LLC of stormwater to allow for greater infiltration and uptake of water by plant roots.
˙ A broad range of woody and herbaceous native plants have been selected for their
The Neighborhood Green Corridor has the goal of transforming de-designated truck tolerance of significant fluctuations in soil moisture. Wet tolerant species are located
routes into attractive pedestrian thoroughfares, while at the same time providing a on the downhill side where water will collect behind the check dams while dry
range of safety, environmental and health benefits, both locally and regionally. The tolerant plants are located on the uphill side of the check dams.
prototypical widened sidewalk will capture and infiltrate stormwater from up to a ˙ Plant material was also selected for tolerance to de-icing salts as well as a
ten-year storm in broad vegetated zones and deep soil buffers within the streetscape. maximum height that, without pruning, will not become entangled in overhead
The Neighborhood Green Corridor is designed to meet all NYC DEP and DOT utility lines.
requirements and is particularly well suited for areas of the City where changes in ˙ The hedgerow concept of planting within the widened sidewalk offers the
land use from former industrial buildings to residential enable reduction in roadway opportunity to separate a bikeway from slower speed pedestrian movement along
width. building faces. Periodic open joint pavers allow pedestrians to cross the planted
zone.
Design development requires an integrated dialogue between ecology, hydrogeology, ˙ Pedestrian experience is enhanced by buffering noise and visibility of traffic while
civil and environmental engineering, and soil science. The aim of this approach is to adding shade, improved air quality, and seasonal enjoyment of plantings.
provide an innovative and cost-effective model for urban stormwater capture while ˙ When situated near schools or community centers, the planted zones can be
simultaneously creating a more attractive and healthful landscape for local residents. ‘adopted’ for ongoing maintenance and educational purposes.
26
EXAMPLE QUEENS PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION Project Goals

˙ Improve the site’s legibility, accessibility, and connectivity.
˙ Increasing public space for pedestrians and bikers.
˙ Treat and celebrate the area’s infrastructure.
˙ Dramatically green the area to create a series of useful and beautiful places for
relaxation, recreation, and circulation.
˙ Create a streetscape environment that emphasizes rhythm and continuity to
ameliorate the chaotic existing conditions.
˙ Transform this gateway to Queens and Long Island City with an overall artistic and
environmental design.
Project Challenges
˙ Massive site infrastructure consists of up to 14 lanes of traffic, multiple subway
lines including the convergence of two elevated subway structures, and the landing
of the Queensboro Bridge and associated ramp structures.
˙ Extensive network of utility lines and existing structural footings create conflicts for
water management and greening strategies.
˙ Concern by City agencies over increased maintenance needs.
˙ Multiple agency approvals and jurisdictions.
Project Outcomes
˙ A system of local water retention planting strips will visibly collect surface
stormwater from major public spaces as well as mitigate stormwater outfalls from
elevated subway stations and the Queensboro Bridge that currently empty into the
street and contribute to flooding and erosion.
Location: East River to the Tompson Van Dam Intersection, Long Island City, NY ˙ The main site-wide pavement strategy plans to use light colored high albedo
Client: NYC Department of City Planning, NYC Economic Development Corporation asphalt aggregates, recycled asphalt from roadway reconstruction, and reused
Completed: Design Completed in 2005; Implementation Pending Funding demolition material for the sub-base.
Designer: Margie Ruddick Landscape Planning and Design ˙ Tree, shrub, and grass species have been selected to reference historical
Project Cost: $18-$22 Million landscape types such as wetland and upland conditions that were common to
the area before development; all plants are also selected for drought, salt, and
A team of designers, engineers, scientists, and artists is introducing a new landscape pollution tolerance.
at Queens Plaza, where the Queensboro Bridge sets down in Long Island City. The ˙ Vegetated berms are used to separate pedestrians and bikers from traffic lanes to
team has conceived the site as an urban green machine; two new urban parks as well reduce exposure to noise and air pollution as well as to clarify points of crossing.
as an overall greening of the massive urban infrastructure are included in the scope. ˙ A bike lane is planned from the landing of the Queensboro Bridge bike lane to
New structures will be designed to latch on to, cut through, build under, grow over, connect both east and west to existing and future bike lanes and greenways.
and link vertically, in order to make use of interstitial spaces and underused sites. ˙ Existing elevated structures will be highlighted with light and mesh scrims to define
Slivers of green, patchwork gardens, and strips of water retention, all working within the streetscape as a cohesive space, transforming an otherwise negative piece of
restructured patterns of movement, will reinvent the site, providing layers of vegetation urban infrastructure into an icon to be celebrated.
to clean air and stormwater and mitigate noise pollution. ˙ Vertical axis wind turbines are being considered for the East River Waterfront as
well as along the viaduct above Sunnyside Yards, where wind may help to generate
The design presents a clear, simple, and buildable vocabulary that will enhance and a small amount of electricity to power streetscape lighting.
amplify what is most compelling about Queens Plaza – its industrial character and ˙ Community groups are actively participating in the planning and design process.
history, the interweaving of its infrastructure, and the existing green systems of the
alley along Queensbridge Houses and the waterfront – while improving environmental
conditions, increasing the legibility of the landscape and streetscape, and reuniting
the Dutch Kills and Hunter’s Point Neighborhoods.
27
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART ONE ACHIEVING HIGH PERFORMANCE ˙ IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION Opportunities
New York City’s revitalized neighborhoods and business communities are indicators
Barriers of its economic health. Several ambitious redevelopment projects in progress
A number of institutional constraints pose challenges to the process of mainstreaming demonstrate an emerging trend towards mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented planning,
high performance infrastructure practices: including:
Lack of ‘integrated’ asset management: Roadway improvements, tree planting, storm ˙ Restoration and enhancement of lower Manhattan.
water management, and utility trenching are often conceived, budgeted, and ˙ Implementation of a vision for Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s west side.
executed in isolation from each other, with separate agency priorities and often ˙ Streetscape improvements and economic development initiatives along the entire
contradictory mandates. Utility companies, private development, and public agencies 125th Street corridor in Harlem.
that narrowly perceive their own mission make it difficult for cities to obtain the long- ˙ Redevelopments of Governors Island and the Brooklyn waterfront in the East River.
term synergies and economies of integrated right-of-way design. Worse still, this leads ˙ Strengthening of regional business districts in downtown Brooklyn, Jamaica,
to frequent doing, undoing and redoing of right-of-way work. Flushing, and Long Island City.
These large-scale investments represent an unprecedented opportunity to

Difficulty funding incremental first cost: Appropriate planning and budgeting mechanisms
comprehensively upgrade the right-of-way using high performance best practices,
must be created to encourage and underwrite citywide implementation of high
thereby promoting environmental, social and economic benefits for significant areas
performance infrastructure practices. The high cost of capital makes any funding
of the City.
increases challenging to obtain. Creative financing for streetscape improvements
should be considered, including shared public/private capital funding. Partnering As the City adopts sustainability and high performance as a core management outlook
mechanisms should be developed to encourage local voluntary groups to accept for its construction, planning, and economic development agencies, it will increasingly
stewardship of low–risk improvements and limited responsibility/liability for need to draw upon the collective intelligence of agency leadership, the real estate
maintenance. To affect this, cities should consider a tiered system of ‘shared’ development sector, and the local professional community to employ innovative
maintenance agreements. solutions holistically across all public and private construction programs.
Difficulty funding additional maintenance costs: Some BMPs may require routine Public works account for a large percentage of the metropolitan region’s construction
preventative maintenance to remain effective, particularly those that integrate with economy. As a significant consumer of technical services, the Department of
natural systems. For most governments, necessary expense budget funds are the Design and Construction will help accelerate the introduction of high performance
scarcest. Nonetheless, lifecycle cost analysis factoring in the environmental and social infrastructure practices, while growing the market for competitively-priced,
benefits of long-term upkeep will reveal the economic efficacy of proper streetscape environmentally sound products. Thus, from an economic development standpoint,
maintenance. proficiency with high performance concepts, technologies, materials and procedures
will help ensure the New York City construction industry’s continuing prominence in
Perception of risk and lack of local precedent: The uniqueness or perceived complexity of
global markets.
a non-conventional system may be viewed as a liability. Because of relatively limited
data on successful high performance infrastructure projects, many strategies may be Through use of this manual as a policy instrument, the City can encourage residential
easily dismissed as unproven or too costly. NYC is increasing the pace and scope of and commercial developers to undertake high performance objectives as an integral
its infrastructure pilot projects to demonstrate the feasibility of many strategies.31 component of New York’s real estate renaissance. Each of the major public/private
initiatives mentioned above represents an unprecedented opportunity to undertake
Learning curve for the construction industry: Knowledge of environmentally progressive
integrated planning, execute best practices, and develop exceptional designs. These
design and construction strategies is not sufficiently widespread among design and
projects will become models for high performance infrastructure and urban design
construction firms to optimize the right-of-way design on a consistent basis.
excellence in the future.
31
As part of the development of the Guidelines, the Design Trust and DDC held a forum on March 11, 2004
to share information on progressive infrastructure initiatives in the region.
28
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART ONE ACHIEVING HIGH PERFORMANCE
THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
29
PART TWO
CITY PROCESS
Description of Existing Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
‘Near-Term’ High Performance Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
‘Longer-Term’ High Performance Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART TWO CITY PROCESS ˙ DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING PROCESS
DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING PROCESS

The design and construction of New York City’s infrastructure projects requires extensive Typical infrastructure capital project types
coordination among multiple City agencies and other entities that own, lease, operate Projects with minimal impact or need for coordination:
or maintain utilities in the right-of-way. Infrastructure spending comprises the largest ˙ Resurfacing Projects
percentage of the City’s capital expenditures, in all totaling 57% of all allocations in ˙ Pedestrian Ramp Projects
the Mayor’s current Ten Year Capital Improvement Plan. In Fiscal Year 2003, DDC ˙ Sidewalk Reconstruction Projects
managed a portfolio of over $2.18 billion worth of infrastructure capital projects. ˙ Miscellaneous Structural Work (Retaining walls, bulkheads, step streets)
Infrastructure spending is primarily allocated to the Department of Transportation Projects with considerable impact and need for coordination:
(DOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with DOT managing ˙ Sewer/Water Main Installation or Rehabilitation
much of the City’s transportation infrastructure – streets, highways, sidewalks and ˙ Emergency Repair Work
bridges, street signs, traffic signals and street lighting – and DEP managing the ˙ Roadway Reconstruction Projects (typically includes utilities, pavement,
City’s water supply, watershed protection, wastewater management, noise, and curb, sidewalks, street lighting, traffic signals, and fire alarms).
hazardous materials. Other New York City agencies involved in infrastructure projects
include the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Department of Parks &
Recreation. All of these agencies are considered ‘client agencies’ of the Department Preliminary Design Investigation
of Design and Construction, which is mandated by the City charter to provide
The Preliminary Design Investigation (PDI) phase has two components:
design and construction services for all of the City’s capital improvement projects.
1) data collection and analysis, and
This section is divided into three parts. The first outlines the current process of
2) schematic geometric design.
executing capital infrastructure projects, which occurs in three phases: 1) capital
planning and project initiation, 2) preliminary design investigation, and 3) final Small and uncomplicated projects – about 25 to 30% of DDC’s projects – may bypass
design. The second part discusses ‘Near-Term High Performance Objectives,’ which the PDI phase and move directly to Final Design.
can be realized immediately by augmenting the existing City processes. The third
section discusses ‘Longer-term High Performance Objectives,’ which may require Data Collection and Analysis
broad consensus among stakeholders and public officials to attain administrative and ˙ Topographic and utility surveys: Production of base, topographic, and utility
process changes to the infrastructure management process, as well as the introduction location drawings.
of alternative financing mechanisms. The near-term and longer-term objectives share ˙ Traffic counts and studies: Assessment of present level of service and accident
a common requirement: for the City to maximize benefits, high performance practices analysis. Analysis of the need for, and impact of, comprehensive intersection
must be scoped, planned, budgeted for, and coordinated in an interagency context as controls, traffic calming measures, lane reconfigurations, and street geometry
early as possible, and must be continually refined throughout the entire process. changes. Recommendations made to the DOT for accident mitigation measures
and traffic.
Capital Planning and Project Initiation ˙ Investigation of Street Elements: Investigation of the condition of pavement,
DDC’s client agencies develop ten-year Capital Improvement Plans that prioritize curbs, traffic markings, etc. Causal determination of any existing deterioration.
potential capital projects based on the agency’s assessment of current inventories, Confirmation or modification of CPI work proposal.
maintenance requirements, census and demographic data, complaint history, ˙ Concerns and Requirements: Consideration of needs of other agencies owning or
community board requests, environmental conditions, and mandates. City operating facilities within the right-of-way, as well as the community board.
agencies are then allocated an annual discretionary budget with which they ˙ Tree Inventories.
are authorized to develop and fund priority capital projects; larger projects with ˙ Manhole and Catch Basin Inventories.
individual budgets exceeding $5 million are subject to interim review by the Office ˙ Soils Investigation.
of Management and Budget (OMB), which ultimately authorizes project funding. Schematic Geometric Design
Once client agencies have identified a need for service, they demarcate the limits of the ˙ Pavement Design: Layout of roadway using AASHTO and other design methods,
project, prepare a project scope with identified funding lines, and submit it to the DDC based on available soil support, traffic conditions, presence of utilities and other
as the Capital Project Initiation (CPI) report. Close coordination is often required between urban elements, and duration of serviceability.
the DOT and the DEP in order to prepare the CPI document. DDC reviews the CPI, ˙ Impact Assessments: Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment,
ensuring a valid scope of work, resolving any uncertainties regarding project limits, and Tree Assessment, and Utility Assessment
suggesting necessary modifications.
32
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART TWO CITY PROCESS ˙ ‘NEAR-TERM’ HIGH PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
Several alternate geometric designs are developed and analyzed for social, economic,
and environmental impacts. The designs must safely accommodate the projected
‘NEAR-TERM’ high performance OBJECTIVES
traffic volumes for the specified time duration and level of service. Capital Planning and Project Initiation
If it is determined that a project will result in environmental impact, a review process Include executing agencies in CIP planning process: Improve mechanisms to coordinate
must be undertaken, beginning with the preparation of the New York State-mandated asset management data, and utilize the perspective and expertise of DDC to assist the
Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS). If the EAS determines the possibility client agency decision-makers in incorporating high performance objectives into the
of significant impact, a more in depth Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Ten Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning process.
must be prepared and reviewed by relevant parties. The EIS discusses a project’s
environmental and social impacts, considers alternative solutions, and determines Initiate pilot projects: Undertake pilot projects to evaluate whether emerging
appropriate mitigation measures. The EIS analyzes land use, natural resources, water technologies or best management practices meet New York City’s stringent
quality, ecology, habitat, economic context, historic and archaeological significance, performance requirements. Develop monitoring criteria to quantify performance of
infrastructure and energy, hazardous materials, noise and traffic, and economics. pilot projects. Pilot projects may be initiated at the client agency or DDC level.
Once the EIS is approved, the project typically proceeds.
Prepare a High Performance Matrix:32 Utilize a relational database for each project as the
At the conclusion of the PDI and environmental review process, a specific design, primary consensus document for recording and tracking decisions. Use of the matrix
and any necessary mitigation measures, are recommended and presented to the local during budgeting, scoping, planning and design will facilitate collaboration among
community board. Once the PDI is completed and approved, a reference document City agencies and will ensure that consideration of high performance objectives is
containing a project narrative, drawings, and analysis is prepared and the project fully integrated into the infrastructure production process. Use of the matrix provides
proceeds to Final Design. a legacy document that tracks emerging practices, monitors research efforts, and
eventually leads to the full implementation of best practices.
Final Design
Adequately budget to design and build high performance projects: The development of high
In Final Design, conceptual decisions made during the PDI are fully detailed performance projects may require the provision of additional technical and consultant
and coordinated with other right-of-way stakeholders. Construction drawings are expertise, testing, or specialized construction practices in order to maximize benefits,
developed for roadway alignment, grading, sewer and water main design, street so it is crucial to budget accordingly. Where projects involve interagency collaboration,
drainage, and any additional work. Several mailings are sent out and meetings ensure adequate inter-fund agreement (IFA) time is budgeted at each agency.
conducted with stakeholders to ensure appropriate coordination, design and
construction. An alignment meeting is held with private utility companies to identify Plan and budget for maintenance and monitoring: Coordinate with maintenance divisions
and resolve utility interferences, and cost-sharing arrangements are made between within the client agency to ensure provision of appropriate levels of funding for post-
the City and utilities. Plans, cost estimates and specifications for bidding are construction monitoring, preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, and
developed. Final review by relevant agencies, utilities, the Art Commission and the periodic condition assessment. Consider using a ‘progress payment schedule’ to
Landmark Commission is undertaken. ensure contractors comply with special requirements.
Once all coordination issues are resolved, the final scoping, cost estimate, and Preliminary Design Investigation
specifications are prepared and reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget
Augment data collection and analysis with the following BMPs:
(OMB) and DDC’s legal department. After approval, OMB issues a Certificate to
˙ Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities. (SA.1)
Proceed (CP), which allows the City Comptroller to register the project and furnish
˙ Conduct Soil Analysis. (SA.2)
capital funding. After contract documents are finalized, a contractor is selected in an
˙ Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis. (SA.3)
open competitive bid. Permits are obtained and construction work may begin.
˙ Survey Existing Vegetation. (SA.4)
˙ Work with Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape. (SS.1)
Identify and prioritize high performance objectives in the kickoff meeting: Establish and
prioritize high performance objectives concurrently with determining project goals,
budget, scope, and schedule.
Incorporate high performance measures into geometric design alternatives.

32
See “Assess Site and High Performance Opportunitites” (SA.1) for more details.
33
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART TWO CITY PROCESS ˙ ‘LONGER-TERM’ HIGH PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
Prepare a preliminary high performance memorandum: Analyze the environmental, Expand the current condition assessment system to rate the condition and deterioration of
social, and economic benefits of each BMP alternative, and present as part of each infrastructure asset, forecast its future performance, and assess the risk and
the PDI report. benefits of different maintenance and upgrade scenarios. Use data to determine
infrastructure renewal priorities and set benchmarks for improved performance.
Final Design
Finalize the high performance memorandum: Prepare a narrative describing how the project Create infrastructure improvement districts: Based on economic, ecological and social
addresses key high performance criteria established during preliminary design. The criteria, coordinate among agencies to develop plans for comprehensive local
memorandum ensures communication about, and fulfillment of, the project’s goals for infrastructure improvements. Develop partnerships with local community boards,
high performance. Distribute memorandum as part of the initial mass mailing. business improvement districts, block associations, and streetscape gardening
groups.
Discuss and coordinate high performance practices with stakeholders: Discuss at the
alignment meeting and other meetings and review forums. Develop a citywide high performance infrastructure master plan: Encourage innovative
practices for citywide infrastructure management by developing a master plan that
Develop specifications, cost estimates, drawings and other relevant materials to implement high integrates the following objectives:
performance practices.
˙ Open space and habitat preservation or rehabilitation.
Ensure that the contract drawings and specifications comply with high performance objectives. ˙ Citywide landscape planning.
˙ Urban heat island mitigation.
˙ Air and water quality improvement objectives.
‘LONGER-TERM’ high performance OBJECTIVES ˙ Combined sewer overflow elimination.
˙ Watershed-based, land-use and stormwater management planning.
Capital Planning and Project Initiation
˙ Pedestrian, bicycling, and surface mass-transit initiatives.
Utilize high performance criteria to identify and prioritize CIP projects: During the CIP process, ˙ Traffic calming or traffic management initiatives.
prioritize projects that will provide the greatest environmental, social and economic ˙ Economic development and city planning objectives.
benefits to the agency and the City. Analyze quality of service, synergy with other local
projects, ability to reduce infrastructure loads or increase lifecycle, reduction of long- Preliminary Design Investigation
term maintenance, and opportunity to measure efficacy of experimental BMPs. Perform lifecycle cost analysis (LCCA): Use lifecycle cost analysis in coordination with
Achieve integrated infrastructure planning and implementation: Use interdisciplinary the high performance matrix to select the most cost-effective and environmentally
integrated design management approaches, consider pooling agency fiscal resources beneficial methods of infrastructure rehabilitation. According to the Federal
and co-sponsoring projects, and encourage public dialogue and partnership to Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), LCCA is “a process for
maximize benefits. evaluating the total economic worth of a usable project segment by analyzing initial
costs and discounted future costs, such as maintenance, user, reconstruction,
Conduct coordinated asset management: Improve existing asset management processes to rehabilitation, restoring and resurfacing costs, over the life of the project segment.”
provide for more systematic, cost-effective, and environmentally sound management Analyzing lifecycle costs is essential to achieving long-term goals for sustainability.
of right-of-way infrastructure components. Enhanced and coordinated asset
management will result in extended infrastructure lifecycles, improved performance, Final Design
more consistent levels of service, and better investment returns.33 Conduct a high performance workshop: At start of final design phase convene a meeting
among DDC, client agencies, and consultants to implement high performance
Develop a secure system for shared information management: Link existing databases and objectives. DDC may propose raising goals or pursuing alternative practices to meet
geographic information systems (GIS) to monitor, evaluate, and make decisions the high performance objectives. The high performance matrix will be edited and
about adjacent road, sewer, and water systems. Coordinate with other available data, distributed to all attendees as the final design ‘High Performance Report’. Conduct
including complaint reports, customer service records, maintenance data, financial a second workshop at the completion of the 75% contract documents to ensure
and budgetary data, and condition assessment ratings. Update the data management compliance with, and coordination of, high performance strategies.
plan periodically to reflect new needs and opportunities.
33
The Canadian National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure states that the goal of coordinated
asset management is to ‘spend the right amount of money, on the right things, at the right time, while
minimizing economic, social and environmental costs.’
34
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART TWO CITY PROCESS
CITY PROCESS
35
PART THREE: BEST PRACTICES
SITE ASSESSMENT
SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT ˙ SA.1 ASSESS SITE AND HIGH PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
SA.1 TECHNICAL STRATEGIES

Gather and analyze information about the site:
ASSESS SITE AND ˙ Conduct workshops, interviews and surveys to gain perspective of community. (SS.1)
˙ Conduct on-site observations of user behavior and activities.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
˙ Determine daily traffic counts and average travel speed.
˙ Document adjacent buildings, structures, and landforms and their effect on solar
access and prevailing winds.
OPPORTUNITIES ˙ Consider using time lapse filming or documentary photography.
˙ Incorporate data from site analysis into a citywide geographic information system
(GIS) database that is coordinated with existing GIS information.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Conduct soil analysis. (SA.2)
˙ Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic analysis. (SA.3)
Assess the site and determine opportunities for implementing High Performance ˙ Survey existing vegetation. (SA.4)
best management practices (BMPs) in the planning, design and construction of
ROW projects. Consider the proximity of the site to features that could reduce the need for,
cost or impact of construction.
˙ Assess availability of existing materials that could be recycled or reused. (PA. 6)
BENEFITS ˙ Assess alternative building scenarios for environmental, social and
+ Improves environmental performance of infrastructure. economic benefits.
+ Improves public health, safety, and quality of life. ˙ Assess possibilities for promoting local, sustainable urban ecology.
+ Optimizes municipal infrastructure investments.
Develop and utilize a ‘high performance matrix’: Utilize a relational database for each
+ Potentially reduces construction and operations costs.
major infrastructure project as an information management tool to coordinate
+ Potentially reduces waste.
the efforts of various participants in creating a high performance design.
˙ Utilize the matrix to analyze high performance design opportunities, site
LIMITATIONS conditions, operations and maintenance considerations, and other feasibility
issues.
– Increases need for up front coordination and potentially cost. ˙ Utilize the matrix to facilitate communication and decision-making among diverse
– Ineffective without coordination among various City agencies responsible for urban project participants. Record and track decisions.
redevelopment and infrastructure construction. ˙ Use lifecycle analysis to determine the cost-effectiveness of competing options.
˙ Use the matrix as a legacy document to enhance knowledge gain, track emerging
INTEGRATION practices, monitor research efforts, and aid in future implementation of best
practices.
˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis ˙ Use the matrix to help educate and motivate infrastructure planners regarding the
˙ SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis possibilities of high performance design.
˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation
˙ SS.1 Work with Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape Plan and budget appropriately to accomplish and maintain high performance objectives.
˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas See individual BMPs for details.
˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning
˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning Seek to minimize noise and disruption to the community. (CP.5)
Work with community groups to enhance and maintain streetscape. (SS.1)
38
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT ˙ SA.1 ASSESS SITE AND HIGH PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
EXAMPLE
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in collaboration with DMJM
Harris and Arup, developed a sophisticated information management tool known as
the “design for the environment” matrix to guide the preliminary design phase for the
proposed Second Avenue Subway project. The matrix enabled hundreds of industry
consultants and City stakeholders to work simultaneously at analyzing sustainable
design opportunities, site conditions, operations and maintenance considerations,
and other feasibility issues. The matrix facilitated and tracked communications and
decision-making among a diverse group of participants. In the process, the matrix
helped to educate and motivate infrastructure planners regarding the possibilities of
high performance design. The result of the “design for the environment” endeavor
was the creation of an innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable plan for the
proposed subway expansion. The process is an impressive model for the planning of
high performance infrastructure projects in the future.
references
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Second Avenue Subway Documents and Presentations Webpage
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/capconstr/sas/sas_documents.htm
39
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT ˙ SA.2 CONDUCT SOIL ANALYSIS
SA.2 INTEGRATION
˙ SA.4 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
CONDUCT SOIL ˙
˙
SA.4
PA.4
Survey Existing Vegetation
Use Pervious Pavements
ANALYSIS
˙ SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations
˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
˙ SM.5 Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips
˙ SM.9 Use Infiltration Structures
OBJECTIVE ˙ SM.10 Use Bioretention
˙ SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands
During the preliminary design investigation, perform appropriate soil tests
˙ LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat
corresponding to BMP strategies. Different tests are necessary to ascertain planning
and design responses as well as cost implications for
˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
a) landscape, ˙ LA.4 Use Structural Soils Where Appropriate
b) stormwater management, and ˙ LA.5 Amend Existing Soils
c) susceptibility to erosion. ˙ LA.6 Perform Soil Berming
˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
Assess soil test results for each category of BMPs and develop a comprehensive ˙ LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species
report that makes recommendations for proposed strategies. ˙ LA.13 Use Water-efficient Landscape Design
˙ LA.14 Use Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
˙ LA.15 Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along Shade-Light Continuum
BENEFITS ˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
+ Aids in determining landscape and stormwater management design strategies and ˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction
budgets early in the design process.
+ Reduces the long-term need for fertilizers and maintenance.
+ Predicts costs associated with on-site soil remediation, soil amendments, soil
TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
importation and excavation.
+ Minimizes environmental impact and costs associated with transporting and Planning
introducing imported topsoil or fill. Develop a consistent testing and reporting protocol:
+ Aids in determining appropriate plant palette for revegetation. ˙ Coordinate with testing laboratories prior to obtaining test reports.
+ Helps identify fragile soils and set limits on the use of heavy equipment, reducing ˙ Request testing laboratory to compare test results with relevant ASTM standards
soil disturbance. and NYS DEC (or USEPA) standards.
+ Reduces risk of slope failure, erosion and siltation, and protects water bodies from ˙ Prepare detailed logs for each test site showing locations, depth of test, soil
sediment loading. descriptions, depth to water and bedrock, presence of stratification, testing
standards and methods.
˙ Develop a comprehensive soils report that makes recommendations for each
LIMITATIONS category of BMP.
– Soil tests add up-front cost to project.
Conduct tests for planting soils: Perform soil tests to determine nutrient levels, soil
reaction, biologic composition and possible contaminants. These tests should be
conducted by a qualified geotechnical engineer or soils scientist licensed in the State
of New York. Tests should include the following:
˙ Chemical tests: Examine particle size analysis compared to USDA Soil Classification
System per ASTM D422 (hydrometer test) or ASTM F1632 (pipette test). Silt
and clay content to be determined on soil passing #270 sieve. Test for hydraulic
conductivity per ASTM F1815. Determine amounts of nitrate, ammonium, nitrite,
40
phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, ˙ Infiltration tests and evaluation (see next section).
soluble salts, cation exchange capacity and pH. ˙ See individual BMPs for more details.
˙ Biological tests: Obtain active bacterial biomass, total bacterial biomass, active fungal
biomass, total fungal biomass, protozoa content, nematode count and hyphal Determine if site is suitable for infiltration practices: Based on stormwater and hydrologic
diameter. Identify organic content by Ash Burn Test or Walkley/Black Test per tests, ensure the site meets the following criteria for design of infiltration practices:
ASTM F1647. ˙ Minimum infiltration rate of 0.5 inches per hour.
˙ Contamination tests: Test for molybdenum, aluminum, boron, lead, selenium, ˙ Able to exfiltrate design storm water volume completely in time for the next storm,
mercury, chromium, cadmium and PCB’s, petroleum distillates and hydrocarbons preferably within 24 hours.
in accordance with the testing methods of NYS DEC. ˙ Sufficient organic content and cation exchange capacity (CEC).
˙ Drainage rate test: Test for soil drainage rate using the hydrometer test or combined ˙ No contaminated soils.
hydrometer and wetsieving method in accordance with ASTM D 422. Use this as a ˙ Sub-grade maintains structural stability with extended saturation or head loading.
guide to measure pre- and post-construction drainage rates to allow attribution of ˙ Sufficient clearance from the groundwater table, bedrock or impermeable
responsibility for worsened conditions as a result of construction disturbance. soil layers.
˙ Sufficient clearance from building foundations, roads, subsurface infrastructure,
Tests For Landscape Health drinking water wells, septic tanks or drain fields.
Determine best strategy for planting soils: Suitable in-situ soils are those that fall within the ˙ Will not impact sensitive aquifers or violate groundwater quality standards.
following ranges without amendments: ˙ See “Use Infiltration Structures” (SM.9) and “Use Bioretention” (SM.10) for more details.
˙ Soil: Sandy loam per USDA classification, ASTM D 422 or ASTM F 1632. Coordinate results of stormwater management and infiltration testing with hydrologic and hydraulic
˙ Organic content: 3% minimum.
analysis. (SA.3)
˙ Hydraulic conductivity: no less than 3 inches per hour.
˙ PH: 5.0 – 6.5 +/- 0.5. Tests For Erosion Prevention
˙ Soluble salt content: 0.08-0.50 mmhos/cm (dS/m).
Perform tests for susceptibility to erosion: Determine if any soils on site that are anticipated
˙ Carbon nitrogen ratio: 10:1 to 25:1.
to be stripped, relocated or reused as fill are susceptible to erosion from natural
˙ Contaminants: within NYSCEC or USEPA limits of acceptability for proposed site use.
forces. Tests should include the following:
˙ If in situ soils do not fall within these ranges, determine if they can be amended. (LA.5)
˙ Pinhole dispersion test: Determine colloidal erosion tendencies of fine grained
˙ Determine appropriate planting palette based on test results to minimize
cohesive soils (clays) in accordance with ASTM D 4647 ‘Standard Method for
importation of amendments or new soil.
Identification and Classification of Dispersive Clay Soils by the Pinhole Test’.
Tests For Stormwater Management ˙ Crumb test: Determine field performance of dispersive soils.
˙ US Soil Conservation Service dispersion test: Identify types and extent of dispersive clays.
Perform tests for stormwater management design: Determine the site’s suitability for
˙ Universal soil loss equation: Use as a measure to predict erosion potential.
stormwater management BMPs by taking soil borings to at least 5 to 10 feet below
the underside of the proposed BMP. Take enough borings to obtain a comprehensive Determine strategies for erosion control during and post construction:
understanding of soil conditions surrounding the proposed BMP. Tests should include ˙ Pinhole dispersion test results: Cloudy soil specimens indicate a likelihood of erosion.
the following: ˙ Crumb test results:
˙ Standard penetration testing (SPT): Test every 2’ to a depth of 5’ below the BMP bottom. Soils registering readings of 3 or 4 indicate a high likelihood of erosion.
˙ Soil classification: Determine USDA or USC soil classification at the proposed facility ˙ US SCS test results: Rates in excess of 50% indicate a significant likelihood of erosion.
bottom and 4’ below the bottom. ˙ Measure change in surface water quality before, during and after construction to
˙ Groundwater depth test: Determine the depth to the groundwater table upon initial monitor efficacy of erosion control devices. Perform corrective action if evidence of
testing and then again after 24 hours. turbidity in excess of pre-disturbance condition.
˙ Bedrock depth test. ˙ Soils that exhibit a low susceptibility to erosion are suitable for creating on site
˙ Soil gradation tests: Perform enough tests to characterize soil strata across the entire berms and may also be suitable as planting soil depending on other test results.
facility. Conduct at least one soil gradation test per soil stratum. Describe all Timing of earthwork should be coordinated with optimum planting seasons to
soil horizons. establish a vegetated cover to avoid erosion and sedimentation.
˙ Contamination tests: Ensure that soil is not contaminated. ˙ Soils that exhibit a moderate susceptibility to erosion may also be suitable for on
˙ Organic content and cation exchange capacity (CEC) tests: Ensure sufficiency of site reuse but should be immediately covered with a biodegradable erosion control
soil organic content and cation exchange capacity (CEC) to treat polluted runoff. blanket until such time as a vegetated cover becomes well established.
41
EXAMPLE
Battery Park City, built completely on granular fill, must import planting soils for
its new landscape projects. All landscape projects since 1992 require testing of
imported, manufactured planting soils to meet specific soil characteristics using
procedures cited in this BMP. The results, now proven in 90% of all its parkland
(32 acres) are soils that are self-sustaining and require no chemical fertilizer
applications.
references
American Society for Testing and Materials
‘Dispersive Clays, Related Piping and Erosion in Geotechnical Engineering Projects’
ASTM Special Technical Publication
No. 623, May 1997
City of Seattle
Flow Control Technical Requirements Manual. 2000
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/dclu/Codes/dr/DR2000-16.pdf
Clean Water Campaign
‘Step 2: Soil Analysis’
Forest Hills Station – Queens, NY
New landscaping for historic LIRR station required soil tests to determine type of soil conditioning
In What Can I Do?
required prior to selecting plants and writing specifications. Atlanta, GA
http://www.cleanwatercampaign.com/what_can_i_do/xeriscape2.html
˙ Soils that exhibit a high susceptibility to erosion should, ideally, not be disturbed. Clearwater Landscape Design
They are likely to have a very poor bearing capacity as well as being very poor ‘Soil’ In Maintenance
candidates for infiltration BMPs and cannot be amended for use as planting soils Priest River, Idaho
without significant cost of imported amendments. http://clearwaterlandscapes.com/soil.htm
Design Craul, Philip J.
Urban Soil in Landscape Design
Use soil test data and assessment to aid in the following activities: New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1992
˙ Determination of suitability of soils for planting. p. 341-351
˙ Design of berms. (LA.6, SM.10, SM.11)
˙ Selection of plant material. (LA.10 to LA.15) Maryland Department of the Environment
˙ Selection of soil amendments to produce viable growing medium. (LA.5) Maryland Stormwater Design Manual
Seek to reduce long-term needs for fertilization and maintenance. (LA.12, LA.14) Baltimore: MDOE, 2000
˙ Identification of construction protection zones. (CP.1) http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/WaterPrograms/SedimentandStormwater/ stormwater_design/index.asp
˙ Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis. (SA.3) Musick, Mark and Howard Stenn
˙ Design of stormwater management BMPs. (SM.5 to SM.11) ‘Best Management Practices for Post-Construction Soils’
˙ Selection of in-situ soil remediation strategy. (LA.5) Biocycle: Journal of Composting and Organics Recycling
Vol. 45, No. 2
Incorporate data from soil analysis into a citywide geographic information system (GIS) database
February 2004, p. 29
that is coordinated with existing geologic information. http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/000103.html
42
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual
Trenton: NJDEP, 2004
http://www.njstormwater.org/bmp_manual2.htm
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual
Albany: NYDEC, 2001
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dow/swmanual/swmanual.html
Oklahoma Conservation Commission
Erosion Control and Abatement Practices
By Gerald Miller and Joakim Laguros 1999
Saint John’s River Water Management District
‘Obtain a Soil Analysis’
In Waterwise Florida Landscapes
http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/outreach/conservation/landscape/principle2.html
Soil Testing Offers Multiple Advantages
http://www.css.cornell.edu/extension/CornellGuidepdfFiles/ Field_Crop.pp_24.pdf
Urban, James
Soils and Fertility – Bringing Order to the Technical Dysfunction Within the Urban Forest
http://www.mntca.org/Refernce_manual/soils_and_fertility.htm
West Experiment Station, University of Massachusetts
Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory
Results and Interpretation of Soil Tests
University of Massachusetts
http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/factsheets
43
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT ˙ SA.3 CONDUCT HYDROLOGIC AND HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS
SA.3 INTEGRATION
˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis
CONDUCT HYDROLOGIC ˙
˙
PA.4
SM.1
Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning
AND HYDRAULIC
ANALYSIS ˙
˙
SM.6
SM.7
Use Catch Basin Inserts
Use Water Quality Inlets
˙ SM.8 Use Detention Structures
OBJECTIVE ˙ SM.9 Use Infiltration Structures
˙ SM.10 Use Bioretention
Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the site’s existing and proposed ˙ SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands
conditions to determine stormwater management needs and high performance ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
opportunities. Based on the analysis, design projects to minimize stormwater runoff ˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction
and incorporate best management practices.
BENEFITS TECHNICAL STRATEGIES

Perform a preliminary site evaluation:
+ Could enable downsizing stormwater infrastructure, resulting in capital cost
˙ Conduct soil analysis. (SA.2)
savings.
˙ Analyze site history. Determine history of flooding, erosion, channelization, siltation,
+ Helps prevent unexpected flooding and downstream impact.
and sedimentation.
+ Helps optimize onsite stormwater management, resulting in reduced runoff and
˙ Analyze site topography, vegetation, and urban context. (SA.1, SA.4)
combined sewer overflows, and improved water quality and hydrology.
˙ Consider the general feasibility and suitability of the site for best management
practices.
LIMITATIONS Use a calibrated continuous simulation hydrologic model: For the design of stormwater
– Adds up-front cost to projects. management BMPs for major projects, use a calibrated continuous simulation
hydrologic model based on EPA’s Hydrologic Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF), or
best available technology.35
background
Hydrology is the science that studies the “source, properties, distribution, and laws Analyze existing and proposed conditions: Analyze the following considerations, among
of water as it moves through its closed cycle on the earth (the hydrologic cycle).” others, across the entire site and drainage watershed:
Hydrologic analysis addresses and quantifies the “movement of rainfall over a defined ˙ Runoff volumes, velocities, and rates.
piece of land in the form of stormwater runoff.” Hydraulic analysis addresses and ˙ Patterns of water inflows and drainage outflows.
quantifies the movement of water through engineered structures.34 ˙ Time of stormwater concentrations.
˙ Water surface elevations.
˙ Capacity and performance of existing stormwater infrastructure, including overflow
and bypass infrastructure.
˙ Existing and potential downstream impacts from site runoff, including flooding,
erosion, channelization, siltation, and sedimentation.
35
According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, continuous simulation models are advantageous
because they account for the storms that precede and follow the design storm, while single-event based
models are only capable of considering the single design storm. Furthermore, continuous simulation models
based on EPA’s Hydrologic Simulation Program-Fortran incorporate local parameters and actual rainfall data,
34
Definition from Washington State Department of Ecology. and are, therefore, a better estimation of actual runoff circumstances.
44
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT ˙ SA.3 CONDUCT HYDROLOGIC AND HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS
Use hydrologic and hydraulic data to design onsite stormwater management BMPs:
˙ Design site to maintain, restore or mimic natural drainage patterns. Seek to
eliminate stormwater runoff. (SM.3, SM.4)
˙ Design stormwater management BMPs to control design storm at a minimum. If
possible, provide additional detention capacity.
˙ If possible, design BMPs to provide onsite infiltration and/or retention.
˙ Design overflow or bypass system to manage runoff from large storms. (SM.4)
Use hydrologic and hydraulic data to minimize water pollution during construction. (CP.3)
Incorporate data from hydrologic and hydraulic analysis into a citywide geographic information
system (GIS) database to aid in future planning.
˙ Coordinate with citywide drainage master planning activities. (SM.1)
˙ Consider allowing public use of this database.
references
Environmental Protection Agency
Watershed Academy Webpage
http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/wam/hydrology.html
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
“Appendix A Summary of Large Storm Hydrology”
In Stormwater Best Management Practice Design Guide
Washington, DC: EPA, 2004
http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/pubs/600r04121/600r04121appa.pdf
Washington State Department of Ecology
‘Hydrologic Analysis’
Chapter Two in Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
Volume III – Hydrologic Analysis and Flow Control Design/BMPs
Olympia, WA: WSDOE, 2001
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/Manual%20PDFs/searchable_file.pdf
45
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT ˙ SA.4 SURVEY EXISTING VEGETATION
SA.4 INTEGRATION
SURVEY EXISTING ˙
˙
SS.5
SM.1
Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
VEGETATION
˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning
LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species
OBJECTIVE ˙
˙ LA.13 Use Water-efficient Landscape Design
Survey existing vegetation. Develop a plan for protecting existing plant material to ˙ LA.15 Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along the Shade-Light Continuum
preserve habitat, minimize site disturbance, and reduce capital costs for reinstallation ˙ CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan
of new plants. If necessary, determine opportunities for transplanting existing planting ˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
material. Eliminate invasive species to minimize long-term maintenance costs and
protect preferred planting material.
BENEFITS Planning
+ Mature tree specimens provide immediate shade, cover, and landscape character. Perform a site visit to survey existing vegetation:
+ Mature tree specimens improve environmental quality by decreasing air ˙ Evaluate health and viability of valuable species.
and noise pollution, reducing and treating stormwater runoff, and reducing ˙ Identify and record individual specimen plantings and mass plantings to be
urban heat. protected during design and construction.
+ Reduces overall site disturbance. ˙ Identify individual plants by species, caliper and crown extent.
+ Minimizes costs by reducing need for soil amendments and new plantings. ˙ Note conditions that will impact protection (grading, utilities, access routes, etc).
+ Reduces long-term maintenance needs and costs, protects desirable ˙ Identify physical extent and density of invasive species, and determine optimal
plants from becoming crowded or shaded out, and improves biodiversity and eradication technique.
animal habitat. ˙ Consider potential of transplanting beneficial on-site species.
+ Mass plantings of valuable or native species provide immediate windbreak, ˙ Discuss tree and vegetation protection plans at the alignment meeting and take
cover and protect against erosion and sedimentation. necessary steps to coordinate utility work to reduce impact.
Develop a tree and vegetation protection plan:

LIMITATIONS ˙ Prepare a tree protection plan providing protection within critical root zone
– Protection zones may limit contractor maneuverability on site and add (12 x diameter of diameter breast height (DBH)).
cost to relocate protection fencing. ˙ Prepare a massed planting protection plan showing limit of shrub canopy or
– Manual eradication of invasive species is time consuming and costly. 12 x diameter of DBH of perimeter trees, whichever is greater.
– Chemical eradication of invasive species can harm water quality or ˙ Illustrate protection plan(s) on all relevant site plans, including the site preparation/
desirable species. demolition/removals plan and on the grading and site utilities plans.
˙ Include designated stockpile location(s) and truck access route(s).
˙ Indicate on plans and in specifications that protection barriers may have to be
relocated and reinstalled during construction to provide temporary access.
˙ Require contractor to maintain protection barrier in good condition throughout the
life of the contract.
˙ Specify that under no circumstances shall material, equipment or debris be
stockpiled within the protection zones.
46
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT ˙ SA.4 SURVEY EXISTING VEGETATIONS
˙ Require the use of grade beams and microtunneling to protect structural

tree roots.
example
˙ Ensure that all disciplines respect the protection plan throughout the design New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYCDPR) requires tree
process. inventories and tree impact mitigation plans as part of any infrastructure project that
may adversely impact existing vegetation. For new construction projects within sites
Develop a plan to eradicate invasive herbaceous species: exhibiting invasive vegetation, NYCDPR has developed standard specifications for
˙ Identify species to be eradicated. invasive species eradication.
˙ Understand invasive species’ growth habit and identify optimal season(s) for
eradication by hand or chemical means.
˙ Identify if permanent root barriers are required for long term protection of site.
˙ Specify contractor with experience and full-time supervisory personnel.
˙ Specify appropriate soil sterilant or non-residual systemic herbicide as applicable
to the particular specie to be eradicated and the surrounding vegetation and
hydrologic conditions. (CP.2)
˙ Request material safety data sheet on chemical treatment, if used.
˙ Specify that surrounding areas are to be protected from migration of chemical
applications.
˙ Specify that all parts of invasive plants are to be removed from the site and
disposed of legally.
˙ Exercise caution when using chemical treatment adjacent to aquifer, high quality
water, etc.
˙ Protect water sources during construction. (CP.3)
Develop a plan for tree and vegetation removal and transplantation:

˙ Identify individual trees and shrubs for removal. Select species based on their
relative invasiveness (as defined by NYSDEC or local experience), state of health/
viability for survival, and conflict with proposed construction.
˙ Specify top-down tree cutting rather than felling to protect viable trees/vegetation.
˙ If possible, tree cutting during migration periods.
˙ Identify species for transplant and show new locations; identify root pruning and
transplant procedures and timing in specifications.
˙ Require warrantee on transplants for two years.
Construction
˙ Perform root pruning of trees to be transplanted during dormant periods.
˙ Coordinate transplanting with seasonal limitations.
˙ Protect and maintain vegetation throughout construction duration. (CP.2)
˙ Enforce protection by specifying liquidated damages or imposing fines on
contractor(s) for violations.
47
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT ˙ SA.4 SURVEY EXISTING VEGETATION
references
CABI Bioscience Switzerland Centre and Global Invasive Species Prevention Programme
‘Toolkit Summary’
In Invasive Alien Species: A Toolkit of Best Prevention and Management Practice
http://www.cabi-bioscience.ch/wwwgisp/gtcsum.htm
City of Santa Cruz
Planning Department and Public Works Department
‘Construction Work Best Management Practices’
Chapter 5 in Best Management Practices Manual for the City’s Storm Water Management Program
Santa Cruz: City of Santa Cruz, 2003
http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pw/StormWater/ConstructionBMPs.pdf
City of Seattle.
Department of Parks and Recreation
‘Construction Site Management’
Chapter One in Best Management Practices
Seattle: City of Seattle DPR
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/Publications/policy/bmp.pdf
Grey, Gene W.
The Urban Forest
New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1996
Maine Department of Conservation. Bureau of Geology and Natural Areas
‘Management of Invasive Non-native Plants in Maine’
In Maine Natural Areas Program
http://www.state.me.us/doc/nrimc/mnap/programs/invasives.html
Mendler and Odell
The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design
pp.55-57
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
‘Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration and Landscaping’
In Natural Heritage Program
http://www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/native.htm
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Denver Service Center
‘Sustainable Site Design Philosophy’
In Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design
National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
http://www.nps.gov/dsc/dsgncnstr/gpsd/ch5.html
Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
‘Local Ecotype Guidelines’
http://www.for-wild.org/land/ecotype.html
48
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ SITE ASSESSMENT
SITE ASSESSMENT
49
STREETSCAPE
SS.1 Work With Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape . . . . . . . . . . 52
SS.2 Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
SS.3 Improve Streetscape for Bicyclists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SS.4 Improve Streetscape for Surface Mass Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas . . . . . . . . . . . 64
SS.6 Optimize Security Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
SS.7 Optimize Streetlighting and Signaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.1 WORK WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS TO ENHANCE AND MAINTAIN STREETSCAPE
SS.1 INTEGRATION
WORK WITH COMMUNITY ˙

˙
SA.1
SS.2
Assess Ste and High Performance Opportunities
Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians
GROUPS TO ENHANCE AND

˙ SS.3 Improve Streetscape for Bicyclists
˙ SS.4 Improve Streetscape for Surface Mass Transit
˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
MAINTAIN STREETSCAPE ˙
˙
SS.6
SS.7
Optimize Security Enhancements
Optimize Streetlighting and Signaling
˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
OBJECTIVE ˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
As part of street reconstruction projects or area-wide planning initiatives, work with ˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning
community groups, business improvement districts (BIDs), and key stakeholders to ˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density, and Diversity of Trees
enhance and maintain streetscape.
BENEFITS
+ Encourages active community participation and ownership of improvements. Planning
+ Partnership with BIDs is an effective way to enhance, beautify, and maintain the Assess site and high performance opportunities. (SA.1)
streetscape environment.
+ BIDs and community groups may have the ability to maintain non-standard Undertake a community-based planning process:
pedestrian amenities and landscaped areas. ˙ Identify a cross-section of community stakeholders and establish a task
+ BIDs are effective at encouraging active street life through minimizing retail force.
vacancy, providing security patrols and trash collection, and offering shopkeepers ˙ Gather historical data about neighborhood and identify critical issues for
assistance loans to enhance signage and security. the future.
˙ Develop strategic goals and a shared vision.
˙ Evaluate various improvement options and involve community members in
LIMITATIONS decision-making whenever possible.
˙ Maintain active participation throughout the planning and design process.
– Disagreement among various stakeholders may prolong the planning process.
˙ Encourage ongoing community stewardship of improvements.
– Too many BIDs within close physical proximity may cause visual confusion through
˙ Develop partnerships to manage and maintain improvements.
inconsistency in streetscape furnishings.
– NYC Department of Small Business Services (NYCSBS) needs to enforce Consider developing a Business Improvement District (BID):
regulations and agreements with BIDs to ensure guidelines are followed. ˙ Develop a project plan among stakeholders to determine if a BID is
appropriate.
BACKGROUND ˙ Develop a steering committee. Conduct public meetings and hold them
regularly to maintain an informed constituency.
Involving community members and key stakeholders in the process of improving ˙ Determine boundary of district.
and maintaining streetscapes is critical to long-term success. In recent years, New ˙ Survey local businesses and develop a database.
York City has had particular success working with business improvement districts ˙ Determine needed services and improvements and their scope and cost;
(BIDs) and private community groups to plan, undertake, and maintain streetscape Identify potential funding sources.
improvements. These models of public-private partnership should be replicated ˙ Determine assessment formula and submit it to NYC Department of Small
wherever possible. Business Services.
52
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.1 WORK WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS TO ENHANCE AND MAINTAIN STREETSCAPES
EXAMPLE
Greening of Greenwich Street: The Friends of Greenwich Street, a local community
group, lobbied for nearly a decade to have changes made to an eight-block stretch
of Tribeca. The 110-foot right-of-way was a holdover from the days when Greenwich
Street was a major truck route and an overhead railroad to transport goods from the
waterfront to inland warehouses. In 1996, NYC Economic Development Corporation
funded a streetscape improvement project to narrow the roadway to 38 feet from 80
feet, and to add forty-two feet to the west side sidewalk.
Today, Greenwich Street has been reclaimed as a neighborhood street. Festivals and
parades are frequent occurrences, parents teach children to ride bikes and residents
of all ages enjoy the sunny or shaded sitting areas. The Friends of Greenwich Street
have become a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit maintenance corporation and oversee
landscape maintenance, public education programs to curtail dog damage, de-icing
salt spreading and seasonal plantings.
Reconstructed Greenwich Street – Manhattan, NY
Consider developing partnerships with community groups to maintain and manage streetscapes:
˙ Encourage the formation of 501(c)(3) not-for profit community park maintenance
groups.
˙ Use flexibility when developing maintenance agreements with community groups.
˙ Consider establishing prizes and other incentives to encourage exceptional
streetscape maintenance.
Construction
˙ Work with community groups to develop plans to minimize construction
impact. (SA.1, CP.1, CP.5)
Operations and Maintenance

˙ After project completion, ensure proper maintenance and upkeep
of streetscape improvements.
˙ Overtime evaluate and respond to new or changing community needs. Reconstructed Greenwich Street – Manhattan, NY
˙ Develop more flexible maintenance contracts to encourage community participation
in streetscape upkeep.
53
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.1 WORK WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS TO ENHANCE AND MAINTAIN STREETSCAPE
references
Business Improvement Districts
http://www.sannet.gov/economic-development/business-assistance/small-business/bids
Christchurch City Council, New Zealand
‘Kinds of Living Streets’
http://www.ccc.govt.nz/LivingStreets/KindOfLivingStreets.asp
City of Hamilton, California
‘Streetscape Improvement. Design Process’
http://www.city.hamilton.ca/Planning-and-Development/long-range.html
City of Portland, Department of Transportation Engineering and Development
“Pedestrian Transportation Program”
Portland Pedestrian Design Guide
Prepared by Ellen Vanderslice
Portland: Portland DOT, 1998
http://www.trans.ci.portland.or.us/DesignReferences/Pedestrian/DesignGuide.pdf
Metrotech Business Improvement District
http://www.metrotechbid.org/bid.html
New York City Department of Small Business
http://www.nyc.gov/small biz
New York City Department of Transportation
Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project– Final Report
New York: NYC DOT, 2004
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html
Project for Public Spaces
“Health & Community Design”
http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/issuepapers/health_community
“Eleven Principles for Transforming Public Spaces into Great Community Places”
http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/casesforplaces/11steps
The Times Square Alliance
http://www.timessquarebid.org/bid.html
The Urban Land Institute
‘Continued Redevelopment of a Mixed-Use Waterfront Community’
http://experts.uli.org
54
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.2 IMPROVE STREETSCAPE FOR PEDESTRIANS
SS.2 BACKGROUND
Over recent decades, accommodation of automobiles has usurped public space,
IMPROVE STREETSCAPE
corroded health and safety, and visually degraded the urban fabric. The High
Performance Infrastructure Guidelines seek to correct this condition by advocating for
streetscapes that balance the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, surface mass transit
FOR PEDESTRIANS users, and automobiles. The NYC Department of Transportation has envisioned three
typologies for well-designed streetscapes:40
OBJECTIVE Travel Streets are large scale, multiple-lane thoroughfares that make up the skeleton
of the roadway system. Travel streets provide critical transportation connections,
Design streetscapes that are conducive to walking and that optimally balance the major mass-transit links, and local truck-routes; they also accommodate substantial
needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, mass-transit users, and automobiles. Undertake pedestrian activity and contain commercial, cultural, institutional, and occasionally
physical improvements and management measures to improve quality of life, residential building types. Despite their importance for private automobiles, travel
health and safety, accessibility, connectivity, comfort, amenity and aesthetics. streets must also facilitate safe and comfortable movement for pedestrians, bicycles,
and surface mass-transit. Travel streets should enhance connectivity between
different neighborhoods, destinations, and other major streets – not pose a barrier
BENEFITS – and should therefore offer attractive and spacious streetscape environments. Travel
+ Minimizes conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, making streets should incorporate traffic calming and management measures to promote
the experience of walking safer and more enjoyable. efficient travel, minimize congestion, and ensure safety.
+ Reduces vehicle miles traveled (VMT), automobile congestion, and air pollution.36
+ Improves public health by encouraging exercise and active forms of transportation. Community Streets are medium to large scale streets that serve as ‘town centers’ for
+ Attracts pedestrians to local businesses, reduces crime, and increases neighborhoods and business districts, and are usually fronted by mixed commercial,
property values. Serves as a catalyst for community regeneration. institutional and residential uses. Community streets often link travel streets with
+ Well-proportioned sidewalks include space for plantings that reduce the urban heat living streets. Pedestrian activity is substantial on community streets since they offer
island effect, improve air quality and local microclimate, and add scale and beauty. a range of destinations including shopping, entertainment, dining, services, cultural
+ Restores urban streetscapes that were degraded by excessive automobile activity. centers, mass-transit connections, parks and public spaces. Private vehicle travel
+ When designed appropriately, streetscape improvements and traffic calming is also substantial, but truck travel should be minimal. Design of community streets
measures do not adversely impact motorized traffic or emergency vehicle service.37 should reflect a careful balance between vehicular travel, bicycling, and pedestrian
+ Encourages the efficient use of precious right-of-way space. activity. As ‘town centers’, community streets should be attractively landscaped, well-
lit, amenity-rich, active places that encourage civic engagement, commerce, cultural
activity, and social exchange.
LIMITATIONS
Living Streets are narrow streets that are primarily residential and are not intended
– May increase project design, construction and maintenance cost. as major transit routes. Quality of life and safety for pedestrians and residents is the
– Acquisition of additional sidewalk space may be cost prohibitive or unfeasible. major concern, and impact of motor vehicles should be kept to a minimum. Traffic
– May require the relocation of catch basins.38 calming measures should be substantial to minimize vehicle speeds, discourage
– Maintenance of non-standard street materials is difficult due to frequent utility through-traffic and truck travel, and minimize disruption. Streetscapes should
repairs. provide attractive landscapes and gathering places, and offer pedestrian scale
– Isolated traffic calming treatments may only divert traffic problems.39 lighting to create a safe nighttime environment. Bicycling and other forms of active
transportation and exercise should be highly encouraged.
36
New York City Department of Transportation. 2004. Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project – Final
Report. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html. (Accessed June 2004). Pages 45-68.
37
Ibid. Pages 69, 72.
38
Ibid. Page 70.
39 40
Ibid. Executive Summary, Pages 16-17. Street typologies adapted from Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Final Report (NYCDOT).
55
˙ Evaluate bicycle and non-motorized vehicle traffic. Determine need for streetscape
improvements to encourage active transportation.
˙ Anticipate future pedestrian volumes and determine appropriate level of service.
˙ Consider increasing pedestrian level of service, comfort and protection.
˙ Consider reducing automobile level of service or design speed.
Planning
Develop a master plan that incorporates some or all of the following practices:
˙ Area wide traffic management and traffic calming.
˙ Bicycling facilities. (SS.3)
˙ Surface mass transit improvements. (SS.4)
˙ Public space, street furniture and green areas. (SS.5)
˙ Security enhancements. (SS.6)
˙ Streetlighting and signaling. (SS.7)
Integrate other high performance objectives into the planning process.

˙ Improve on-site stormwater management and minimize runoff. (SM.1 to SM.11)
˙ Undertake additional utility work to minimize future impact. (UI.1)
˙ Improve utility coordination for easy access and maintenance. (UI.3)
˙ Design to reduce urban heat island effect: Maximize pavement albedo (PA.3) and
increase shading of pavement. (LA.8)
Union Square – New York, NY
Enlargement of traffic island decreases roadway pavement, increases landscaping and provides safe
˙ Use pervious pavements where appropriate. (PA.4)
pedestrian crossing at a busy thoroughfare. ˙ Maximize landscaping to improve microclimate, air quality, stormwater
management, etc. (SS.5, LA.1, LA.2, LA.3, SM.1)
INTEGRATION
Conduct scoping and budgeting:
˙ SA.1 Assess Ste and High Performance Opportunities
˙ Develop project scope based on community planning process, infrastructure
˙ SS.1 Work with Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape
reconstruction or upgrade needs, and high performance objectives.
˙ Identify first costs, maintenance costs, maintenance entities, and funding sources.
˙ Coordinate proposed improvements with other publicly funded initiatives to
maximize effective use of funds.
˙ SS.6 Optimize Security Enhancements
˙ Ensure adequate funds for timely preventative and corrective maintenance.
˙ SS.7 Optimize Streetlighting and Signaling
˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area Design
˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density, and Diversity of Trees Sidewalks
Enhance sidewalk accessibility, continuity and connectivity:
˙ Plan sidewalk dimensions and layout on a district-wide scale.
TECHNICAL STRATEGIES ˙ Develop a strong pedestrian orientation and character to the streetscape to
encourage walking and active environments.
Site Assessment ˙ Promote connectivity, continuity and accessibility.
Assess site and high performance opportunities. (SA.1, SS.1)
Provide adequately sized sidewalks:
Evaluate pedestrian and vehicular movement: ˙ Determine the width of the ‘through pedestrian zone’, or the area that
˙ Evaluate pedestrian volumes and movement. accommodates unobstructed movement between a ‘furnishing zone’ (the area
˙ Evaluate vehicular activity, conduct traffic counts, and determine needs for traffic adjacent to the street containing street furniture, trees and landscaping, light
calming or traffic management. poles, signage, etc) and a ‘frontage zone’ (the area adjacent to storefronts that
56
accommodates window shopping and entrance facilities). Consider raised crosswalks with gentle side slopes:
˙ Eliminate obstructions in the pedestrian zone and ensure ADA compliance ˙ Move vehicle stop line back from crosswalk (10 to 20 ft. from crosswalk).
wherever possible, with a minimum clear width of five feet. ˙ Consider using an advanced warning stenciling to alert drivers to crosswalk.
˙ Where appropriate, allow eight feet of pedestrian space to enable two pairs of ˙ Ensure that crosswalk enhancements will be properly maintained.
pedestrians to pass each other comfortably.
˙ Ensure furnishing zone is wide enough to accommodate trees and landscaping, Provide pedestrian refuge islands where appropriate:
bus shelters, street furniture, and other amenities. ˙ Use raised islands in the center of wide streets to facilitate safe crossing.
˙ Where the curbside lane is a travel lane, attempt to provide a buffer zone or ˙ Consider using in conjunction with corner curb extensions.
planting strip of at least four feet. ˙ Maintain bicycle lanes and ensure ability of emergency vehicle access.
˙ Incorporate attractive, low-maintenance, absorbent landscaping. (SS.5, LA.3)
Consider expanding sidewalks to enhance pedestrian safety and level of service: Area Wide Traffic Calming and Management Plans
˙ Consider reducing roadway space and widening sidewalks.
˙ Downsize travel lanes and parking lanes to minimum sizes. With input from community groups, develop area wide traffic management and traffic
˙ If the entire sidewalk cannot be modified, consider widening at congested locations, calming plans:
intersections, entrances to major destinations, etc. ˙ Reduce traffic congestion, idling and impact.
˙ Designate and enforce truck routes: minimize disruption on community streets and
Corners and Intersections living streets.
Keep corners clear of obstructions: ˙ Maximize pedestrian accessibility, circulation, orientation, and connectivity.
˙ Prohibit newspaper boxes and other street furniture from obstructing corners. ˙ Support biking and other forms of active transportation. (SS.3)
˙ Avoid locating light poles, above ground utilities, and traffic signals at corners. ˙ Alert drivers that they are entering a traffic-calmed environment.
˙ Locate street trees and other plantings away from corners to maximize visibility. ˙ Utilize visible amenities such as shade trees, benches, and landscapes to enhance
pedestrian orientation of streetscape.
Improve intersections: ˙ Incorporate physical measures including center islands, medians, roundabouts,
˙ Provide two, ADA compliant pedestrian ramps per corner, located to facilitate traffic circles and so on.
movement straight into the crosswalk.
˙ Design to avoid standing water and icy conditions.
˙ Utilize tactile pavements to alert the visually impaired to the intersection.
˙ Use curb extensions, bulb-outs and neck-downs at busy intersections to minimize
pedestrian crossing distance, calm traffic and improve safety. Incorporate bollards,
planters, or other devices to alert drivers to the presence of curb extensions.
˙ Ensure that bicycle lanes and emergency access are not impeded by curb
extensions.
˙ Consider using raised intersections to enhance visibility and safety of crossing
areas.
˙ Where appropriate, reconstruct intersection corners with a smaller turning radius to
slow turning vehicles.
Enhance crosswalk visibility and effectiveness:

˙ Use crosswalk enhancements at complex intersections and high volume crossings.
˙ Consider the use of high visibility, piano style crosswalks – designed to allow tires
of motor vehicles to pass between the lines – to enhance visibility while minimizing
maintenance of markings.
˙ Consider color-reinforced stamped, imprinted or embedded light-colored pavement
within the crosswalk.
˙ Consider ADA compliant textured or grooved surfaces to alert drivers of crosswalk.
˙ Consider light-colored interlocking paving stones within the crosswalk. Route 9A – Manhattan, NY
Provision of separated walking path improves safety and comfort for pedestrians and encourages active
transportation and exercise along waterfront.
57
˙ Consider traffic management measures including street direction changes, street ˙ Develop innovative ways to express historic or cultural heritage.
closings, modified signal times, etc. ˙ Imaginatively use materials, landscaping, or architectural elements to evoke
understanding of a place without adding to street clutter.
Utilize Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): Implement a range of communication technologies
to optimize management of the entire transportation system.
˙ Integrate ITS with surface mass transit improvements. (SS.4) EXAMPLE
Signalization The Freedom Trail in Boston,
Consider signalization changes to increase pedestrian safety and travel efficiency: Massachusetts, is a wayfinding
˙ Evaluate existing signal timing and pedestrian level of service. trail that links sites of
˙ Determine if signalization changes would be beneficial and feasible. importance to the Revolutionary
˙ Consider extending pedestrian crossing intervals. War. The trail, and the
˙ Consider adjusting signal progression to calm traffic during high-pedestrian volume foundation that manages it, is
periods and to minimize congestion during vehicle rush hour. dedicated to preserving and
˙ Consider utilizing leading pedestrian intervals (LPI) to give pedestrians a head start promoting the Revolution as
in crossing prior to allowing motorists to turn. the “cornerstone of Boston’s
˙ Consider utilizing ‘Barnes Dance’ (all-walk phases) at high pedestrian intersections distinct historic and cultural
to stop all vehicles on all approaches while allowing pedestrians to cross in all character.” Originally designed
directions. in the 1960’s with a red stripe
˙ Consider utilizing pedestrian detection signals – infrared systems or ‘pedestrian painted down the center of the
user friendly intelligent crossing’ (PUFFIN) systems – to delay signal change until street, it was later enhanced for
remaining pedestrians clear the intersection. pedestrians by using a double-
˙ Consider using audible signals to indicate crossing intervals at major intersections. brick pattern in the designated
˙ Consider using countdown signals to indicate crossing time to pedestrians. sidewalks making up the trail.
Pedestrians can use maps,
Improve visibility and legibility of signals: signage, and a new audio
˙ Consider increasing the size of the red signal heads (to 12 inch maximum) to self-guided tour to navigate the
improve visibility and to emphasize traffic control. trail. Significant sites feature an
˙ Use symbolic pedestrian walking signals instead of message-type pedestrian attractive bronze plaque inset
walking signals. into the sidewalk. According to
the Freedom Trail Foundation,
Signage
approximately 3 million people
Improve signage to enhance traffic safety: walk the trail each year and the
˙ Survey existing signage, examine accident reports, and interview community trail is a $400 million economic
members to determine needs and goals for improved signage. driver in the City’s $9 billion
˙ At critical crossing areas with high pedestrian volumes or histories of accidents, tourism industry. Sidewalk Enhancements – Brooklyn, NY
utilize fluorescent signs and post reflectors to caution motorists. As part of the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project, the
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/ NYC Department of Transportation installed neckdowns and
˙ Use oversized street name signs to help orient motorists and prevent erratic driving.
pedestrian ramps at Fulton and South Oxford streets.
˙ Place speed-limit signs in areas with high pedestrian volumes. The NYC DOT’s Downtown
Brooklyn Traffic Calming Initiative is a highly successful, community informed initiative
Develop wayfinding or interpretive signage: that piloted traffic calming techniques and developed an area-wide streetscape
˙ Use a distinct system of signage to provide useful information in urban areas for improvement plan that is currently under construction. Dozens of streets in Downtown
pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. Wayfinding signage helps encourage sense of Brooklyn were classified as ‘travel streets’, ‘community streets’, and ‘living streets’,
place and efficient pedestrian and vehicular movement. and streetscape improvements were undertaken to enhance the quality, safety, and
˙ Provide information about major destinations, including places of cultural, historic, efficiency of each street according to its needs. For more details, see:
and geographic importance, and preferred pedestrian streets. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html
˙ Distinguish between wayfinding systems for tourists and systems for locals.
˙ Maintain graphic or symbolic continuity throughout wayfinding area.
58
Portland, Oregon found that improving the quality of the pedestrian environment to a New York City Department of Transportation
level comparable to that of Portland’s most pedestrian-oriented zones would result in Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project – Final Report
a 10 percent reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT). New York: NYC DOT, 2004
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html
references _____
School Safety Engineering Project: General Mitigation Measures – Final Report
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials New York: NYC DOT, 2004
Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities
1999
“Transit-Friendly Streets”
Central Atlanta Progress, Atlanta Downtown Improvement District http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/casesforplaces/transit_friendly_sts
“A Wayfinding and Signage System for Atlanta, Georgia”
Transport for London Road Network
February 14, 2003
Streetscape Guidance. Consultation Draft – July 2004
http://www.atlantadowntown.com/Plans%20and%20Documents/wayfinding_program.pdf
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/streets/streetscape-guidance.shtml
City of Chicago Department of Transportation
City of Chicago Streetscape Guidelines
2003
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Transportation/
Portland Pedestrian Design Guide.
Prepared by Ellen Vanderslice
Portland: Portland DOT, 1998
http://www.trans.ci.portland.or.us/DesignReferences/Pedestrian/DesignGuide.pdf
City of Seattle
“Seattle Wayfinding System” – April 17, 2003
http://www.cityofseattle.net/dclu/CityDesign/DesignLeadership.pdf
City of Vancouver Sidewalk Taskforce
A Walking City: Sidewalk Safety, Access and Ambience for All Pedestrian – 2002
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/020625/rr1.pdf
Our Built and Natural Environments: A Technical Review of the Interactions
between Land Use, Transportation, and Environmental Quality. EPA 123-R-01-002
Washington DC: EPA, 2001
http://www.epa.gov/livability/pdf/built.pdf
Ewing, Reid
The Institute of Transportation Engineers, Federal Highway Administration,
and Fehr and Peers Transportation Consultants
Traffic Calming: State of the Practice
Washington D.C.: FHWA
http://www.trafficcalming.org/
NYC Department of City Planning and Department of Transportation Bicycle Program
“NYC Cycling Map” – 2004 edition
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/bike/gp.html
59
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.3 IMPROVE STREETSCAPE FOR BICYCLISTS
SS.3 TECHNICAL STRATEGIES

Develop and implement area-wide bicycle master plans:
IMPROVE STREETSCAPE
˙ Prioritize bicycling as an integral part of the overall transportation system.
˙ Seek to maximize accessibility, continuity and convenience of bike travel citywide.
FOR BICYCLISTS
˙ Promote traffic calming and management through physical and operational
improvements to the right-of-way. (SS.2)
˙ Assess current bike ridership through sampling, surveys, etc. Anticipate future
demand.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Develop strategies to facilitate intermodal transportation. Provide properly sized bike
facilities at mass-transit stops.
Improve streetscape to support bicycling and other forms of non-motorized active ˙ Encourage businesses and public facilities to provide bike parking and storage, and
transportation. Implement area-wide bicycling master plans to facilitate bicycling on a lockers and showers for bicyclists.
citywide basis. Dedicate bicycling-only zones and install bike racks and other features ˙ Conduct public awareness and education initiatives to inform riders about bicycling
to support bicycling. Anticipate future demand in sizing bicycling facilities. Integrate safety measures, bike path navigation, and the environmental and public health
design of these areas with other objectives. benefits of bicycling.
Dedicate highly-visible zones for bicycling in the right-of-way:

BENEFITS ˙ Provide bike paths with adequate widths, smooth surfaces and proper drainage.
+ Improves safety for bicyclists and non-motorized vehicle users. ˙ Retrofit existing streets with dedicated bicycle lanes. If possible, narrow automobile
+ Reduces automobile speeds and increases safety. lanes to reduce speeds and improve safety.42
+ Reduces vehicle miles traveled (VMT), automobile congestion, and the emission of ˙ In new or reconstructed streets, integrate bike lanes into streetscape design to
greenhouse gases, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.41 increase safety and improve aesthetics.
+ Improves public health and fitness by reducing air pollution and encouraging ˙ When possible, separate bike lanes from vehicular traffic and pedestrians through
outdoor exercise and active transportation. the use of small medians or other features.
+ Encourages the efficient use of precious road space, with no adverse impact to the ˙ Where space is limited for dedicated bike lanes, consider combined, dedicated
visual environment. bike and bus lanes. Consider implementing part-time bike lanes.
˙ Use traffic calming to improve safety of bicyclists. (SS.2)
˙ Use light-colored pavement where possible to differentiate bike lanes. (PA.3)
LIMITATIONS ˙ Use highly visible pavement markings and signage to indicate bicycle zones and to
– May increase project design and construction costs. alert cars to drive safely and share road space with bicyclists.
– May be difficult to implement where right-of-way space is limited. ˙ Use bike-friendly catch basins.
– Communities may oppose bike lanes if parking is reduced. ˙ Consider bike-only boulevards or ‘thru streets’ to separate bike and vehicular
traffic.43
INTEGRATION
˙ SS.2 Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians
42
In NYC, this practice has resulted in a reduction in motor vehicle speeds of between 3-5 mph. NYCDOT.
School Safety Engineering Project. General Mitigation Measures-Final Report. 2004.
43
The Thru Street’s in Manhattan have successfully decreased cross-town travel times and congestion on
designated streets. This concept could be applied to a series of dedicated, bicycle only streets. A pilot-project
could be conducted on several east-west streets in Manhattan: the streets could be designed for limited
41
New York City Department of Transportation. 2004. Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project – vehicular access – using bollards or other physical measures – allowing bikes to be the dominant mode of
Final Report. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html. (Accessed June 2004). transportation. Only local delivery trucks, emergency vehicles and other necessary vehicles would be able to
Pages 45-68. travel on the designtated bike thru-streets.
60
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.3 IMPROVE STREETSCAPE FOR BICYCLISTS
references
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities –1999
Portland Pedestrian Design Guide. Prepared by Ellen Vanderslice. Portland, Portland DOT, 1998
http://www.trans.ci.portland.or.us/DesignReferences/Pedestrian/DesignGuide.PDF
Environmental Protection Agency.
Our Built and Natural Environments: A Technical Review of the Interactions between Land Use,
Transportation, and Environmental Quality. EPA 123-R-01-002. Washington DC: EPA, 2001
Ewing, Reid
The Institute of Transportation Engineers, Federal Highway Administration, and Fehr and Peers Transportation
Consultants. Traffic Calming: State of the Practice
http://www.trafficcalming.org/
Go for Green. “Developing Communities for Active Transportation”
http://www.goforgreen.ca/active_transportation/resources
National Center for Bicycling and Walking
“The Economic Benefits of Bicycle and Pedestrian-based Tourism”’
http://www.bikewalk.org/assets/Reports/economic_impact.htm
NYC Department of City Planning and Department of Transportation Bicycle Program
“NYC Cycling Map” – 2004 edition
Greenwich Street – Manhattan, NY
Provision of bicycle lanes and amenities encourages ridership.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/bike/gp.html
New York City Department of Transportation
Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project – Final Report – 2004
example http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html
In the reconstruction of Route 9A in Manhattan, portions of the NYC Greenway Plan
and Bicycle Master Plan were implemented, signaling the start of a multi-year effort
to create new public recreational opportunities and increase the mobility of cyclists
and pedestrians. Currently the NYC Greenway Plan is at 90% completion around the
island of Manhattan with an ultimate goal of creating 350 miles of landscaped bicycle
and pedestrian paths crisscrossing New York City.
The City of Chicago recently constructed a 12,000-square-foot bicycle station in

Millennium Park. The station has parking space for 300-bikes and also provides
changing, showering and locker storage facilities for bike riders. Since its opening the
bike station has been operating at or near capacity and there is now a lengthy waiting
list for access to the facility. The bike station was funded by the Congestion Mitigation
and Air Quality program, administered by the Federal Highway Administration and the
Federal Transit Administration under the TEA-21 Act. Chicago is currently improving
bicycle lanes and facilities throughout the city as part of an effort to increase bike
ridership substantially.
Shore Parkway Bike Path – Queens, NY
61
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.4 IMPROVE STREETSCAPE FOR SURFACE MASS TRANSIT
SS.4 INTEGRATION
˙ SS.2 Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians
IMPROVE STREETSCAPE ˙
˙
SS.5
SS.7
Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
Optimize Streetlighting and Signaling
FOR SURFACE MASS

˙ CP.6 Use Cleaner Construction Equipment
TRANSIT
Physical Improvements
Consider constructing bus nubs: Bus nubs are sidewalk extensions that extend through
OBJECTIVE the parking lane to the travel lane, enabling the bus to travel and stop in the same
Make physical and operational improvements to the right-of-way to improve the lane, thus reducing loading time and conflicts with other vehicles, and increasing
efficiency, cost-effectiveness, convenience, and sustainability of surface mass transit. transit efficiency and timeliness.44
˙ Consider employing temporary, pre-manufactured bus nubs to evaluate their
performance and appropriateness at new locations.
BENEFITS ˙ Integrate seating, bus shelters, landscaping, and other amenities into the design of
+ Establishes a clear priority for mass-transit vehicle operations and provides bus nubs. (SS.5)
more convenient transit stops.
Consider creating transit-priority or transit-only lanes:
+ Improves safety and quality of life for mass transit users and pedestrians.
˙ Adequately mark and enforce mass-transit lanes to increase efficiency and service.
+ Improves the efficiency of mass-transit by reducing loading times, idling times, and
˙ Consider whether mass-transit lanes could double as bike lanes, if space for fully
conflicts with other vehicles.
+ Reduces emission of greenhouse gases, particulate matter, volatile organic dedicated bike lane is limited. (SS. 3)
compounds, and other pollutants. ˙ Consider implementing turning restrictions to increase transit efficiency.
+ Improves energy efficiency and reduces operating expenses. ˙ For mass-transit only lanes, consider using priority green signals that give buses a
+ Use of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) enables mass-transit users to make head start at intersections, allowing them to pick up passengers with minimal traffic
better transportation decisions by providing them with real-time information. interference.45
+ Improves overall efficiency of the transportation system. Improve transit facilities:
˙ Work with community stakeholders to improve transit facilities. (SA.1, SS.1)
LIMITATIONS ˙ Develop designs that will improve both transit operation and community well-being.
˙ Adequately light transit facilities and surrounding area. (SS.5)
– May increase construction cost. ˙ Provide well-designed, accessible, comfortable, convenient, and safe bus-shelters
– May require the relocation of catch basins. where appropriate.
– Traffic management measures are ineffective without proper enforcement. ˙ Provide amenities for mass-transit users and pedestrians, including benches, trash
– ITS technology requires significant investment to purchase, install and maintain receptacles, adequate signage, telephones, clocks, etc. (SS.5)
communication systems. ˙ Increase landscaping and provide features that will improve aesthetics. (LA.3, SS.5)
– Clean-fuel technology requires investments in research and development, ˙ Integrate transit facility improvements with larger area-wide streetscape
new equipment, and non-standard maintenance procedures. improvements.
˙ Develop partnerships with community groups that will help ensure the maintenance
and upkeep of the improved transit facility. (SS.1)
44
Research in San Francisco showed that delays for motorists caused by bus nubs are small or nonexistent.
45
European example.
62
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.4 IMPROVE STREETSCAPE FOR SURFACE MASS TRANSIT
of ULSD, having used approximately 47 million gallons of ULSD annually. They

do not report any engine or fuel system problems related to ULSD use, and have
not experienced a change in fuel economy from the fleet. After-treatment retrofits
implemented by NYCT include diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts
Review the NYCT case study at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/retronyc.htm. Refer
to DDC Low Sulfur Fuel Manual (see references) for detailed emission reductions, a
general description and evaluation of each fuel formulation, and current feasibility.
example
As part of the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming initiative, the NYC Department of
Transportation piloted various techniques to improve surface mass transit operation.
Downtown Brooklyn is serviced by eighteen bus routes, but traffic congestion slows
bus speeds, causes bus bunching, and leads to conflicts when buses merge back
into traffic after stopping. Implementing bus nubs and undertaking other traffic
management measures improved the flow of surface mass transit. For more details,
see: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html
references
Behnke, Robert
“An Advanced Public Transportation/Information System
for Residents of Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities”
Streetscape Enhancements for Mass Transit – Brooklyn, NY http://www.cascadepolicy.org/bgc/athena.htm
As part of the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project, the NYC Department of Transportation Flamm, Bradley
installed new bus lanes on Fulton Street. “Advanced technologies in public transportation”
October 2001
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Intelligent Transportation Society of America
“What is ITS’?”
Employ a range of communication technologies to improve mass-transit efficiency, reliability and
http://www.itsa.org
safety, and to provide real-time information to travelers:
˙ Use automatic vehicle locator (AVL) systems. Mouskos, Kyriakos
˙ Integrate vehicle location data into real-time passenger information systems located “Advanced Traveler Information System”
at mass-transit facilities, on-line, and at other prominent locations. Provide users New Jersey Institute of Technology Research, Vol. 4, Spring 1996
with alternate route planning information. New York City Department of Design and Construction
˙ Coordinate vehicle locator systems with traffic signal system to enable real-time Low Sulfur Fuel Manual
transit signal priority for transit vehicles.
New York City Transit, Department of Buses
˙ Use ITS data to respond to demographic and demand changes, facilitate inter- “Heavy-Duty Clean Vehicle Technology Conference”
modal transportation coordination, improve cost-efficiency, increase ridership, and 2002
plan future transit initiatives.
˙ Integrate ITS data into wayfinding systems. (SS.2) Project for Public Spaces
“Transit-Friendly Streets”
Facilitate Intermodal Transportation. http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/casesforplaces/transit_friendly_sts
Transit Best Practices – Workshop Primer
Use Clean Fuel Technologies (CP.6): In September of 2000, MTA New York City Transit
National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
(NYCT) became the first and largest bus fleet operator using ULSD in the country, 2003
using it in all 4,500 buses in their fleet. Nationally, they are the largest single user
63
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.5 INCREASE AND IMPROVE RIGHT-OF-WAY PUBLIC SPACE AND GREEN AREAS
SS.5 INTEGRATION
˙ SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities
INCREASE AND IMPROVE ˙

˙
SS.1
SS.2
Work with Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape
RIGHT-OF-WAY PUBLIC SPACE

˙ SS.6 Optimize Security Enhancements
AND GREEN AREAS ˙
˙
PA.2
PA.4
Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
OBJECTIVE ˙ SM.10 Use Bioretention
Increase the quality and quantity of right-of-way public spaces, green spaces, street ˙ SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands
furniture, and parks within or adjacent to the public right-of-way. Where adequate ˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning
space exists, encourage economic, cultural, and recreational activities to enhance ˙ LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat
streetscape vitality. Integrate with other high performance objectives. ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density, and Diversity of Trees
˙ LA.8 Plant Trees to Maximize Shading of Pavement
BENEFITS
+ Activating the street as a public space encourages social interaction and a stronger
sense of community. TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
+ Increases neighborhood safety. Planning
+ Increases property values.
+ Improves quality of life by offering ‘pauses’ for socializing and leisure activities. ˙ Work with stakeholders to plan, design and maintain public spaces. (SA.1, SS.1)
+ Green areas reduce air pollution and stormwater runoff.
+ Economic activities such as green markets support local businesses and enable Design
consumers to purchase fresh produce and healthy goods.47 Incorporate green areas or public spaces where space exists:
+ Encourages public stewardship of streetscapes. ˙ Replace impervious areas in medians, traffic circles or triangles, and roadway
shoulders with low-maintenance, salt-tolerant vegetation. (LA.1 to LA.3, LA.12, SM.4)
˙ Create more opportunities for planting by using bulb-outs/neckdowns or similar
LIMITATIONS traffic calming devices on residential streets. (SS.2)
– May encounter reluctance to change conventional standards, incur risk, increase ˙ Integrate stormwater management practices. (SM.3 to SM.11)
potential maintenance costs or reduce on-street parking. ˙ Consider converting parking areas into green spaces.
– Existing sidewalks may not allow for additional green space and open public space. ˙ Create inviting and open entrances to public spaces.
˙ Incorporate paths to encourage connectivity and movement through public spaces.
Meet or exceed the following minimum width requirements for planting soil zones:
˙ Lawn or herbaceous planting: 3 feet.
˙ Shrubs: 5 feet.
˙ Single row of trees: 8 feet.
˙ Double or staggered row of trees: 12 to 18 feet.
Incorporate seating and street furniture into public spaces and throughout streetscape:
47
Supporting local farmers maintains attractive and productive agrarian landscapes within close proximity to ˙ Locate benches in desirable locations to encourage sitting and socializing.
urban areas. It also consumes less energy and raw material in transport and packaging, and reduces solid ˙ Place benches in view of pedestrians, but avoid obstructing movement.
waste disposal.
64
˙ Incorporate seating at transit stops, outside department stores and offices,

and anywhere else where seating may be utilized.
˙ Construct seating of durable, weather resistant and vandal resistant materials.
˙ Use recycled materials where possible, while maintaining aesthetic standards.
˙ Make steps, ledges, and other features conducive for sitting.
˙ Increase trash, recycling, and composting receptacles. Use separate organic
waste bins and integrate with localized composting programs.48 Incorporate
with the citywide waste management initiative. (CP.5)
Incorporate public art into streetscapes and public spaces:

˙ Encourage ‘integrated’ public art that is incorporated into design elements
of the streetscape such as paving, railings, sets, bollards, fountains, bridges
or plantings.
˙ Encourage ‘stand alone’ public art, such as sculptures, permanent or temporary
installations, wall murals, or interpretive panels.
˙ Encourage performance art or temporal events that celebrate seasons, events,
historic or cultural expressions.
Encourage green markets and other forms of economic activity:

˙ Provide infrastructure in the streetscape or adjacent public spaces to support
outdoor activities including water and electric supply, tent tie-downs and pavements
that can withstand truck loading. Reconstruction of Stone Street – New York, NY
˙ If necessary, redirect traffic during market times. Reuse of granite blocks stockpiled on-site for street furniture in historic district
Provide lighting for pedestrians: parking stops, and other elements. (See PA.6 for additional applications in pavement
˙ Consider scale, geometry, and character of space when determining appropriate design).
lighting criteria for green areas and public space amenities. ˙ Use low-emission, non-toxic and/or bio-based products. Examples include water-
˙ Where appropriate, employ smaller-scale fixtures to emphasize pedestrian activity based coatings, arsenic-free pressure-treated wood, and naturally rot-resistant
and reduce energy costs. hardwoods (See PA.5 for additional applications in pavement design).
˙ Provide lighting at transit stops, entrances of public and residential buildings, and ˙ Use products with low embodied energy. (e.g., wood or other bio-based products,
other destinations. locally harvested stone).
˙ Light the edges of public spaces and parks. ˙ Use products that are locally manufactured or extracted.
˙ Light sculpture, fountains, architectural details, and other notable streetscape ˙ Use products that offer lifecycle benefits over conventional products
elements. (e.g. products with improved durability, or products that can be refurbished
Use Environmentally Preferable Materials in Streetscapes:49 and reused).
˙ Use sustainably harvested / certified woods. Possible applications include benches, ˙ Utilize the Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) program, part of the EPA’s
playground equipment and street furniture. continuing effort to promote the use of materials recovered from solid waste.
˙ Utilize recycled materials (recovered content plastic, aluminum, concrete, glass, ˙ See EPA RMANS recommended recycled-content levels for bike racks, light poles,
steel, rubber, etc.) in street furniture, fencing, playground equipment, curbing, street signs and street sign posts for right-of-way applications.
˙ Utilize recycled content in transportation products such as temporary traffic control
devices, traffic cones, channelizers, etc.
48
˙ Ensure that street furniture using recycled materials meets aesthetic standards and
2500 tons of organic waste is generated in the City per day, and could be diverted from the wastestream and
reused for landscape fertilization.
maintains streetscape ambiance.
49
According to the EPA, an ‘environmentally preferable’ product will have ‘a reduced effect on human health
and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.’
Considerations include raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse,
operation, maintenance or disposal of the product or service.
65
Examples
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation began the Greenstreets
program in 1996 to convert barren concrete triangles, traffic islands and other
impervious streetscape areas into productive and attractive landscapes containing
trees, shrubs and flowers. Since its founding, the program has created more than
2,000 Greenstreets throughout the five boroughs. Over the same period, the Parks
Department also planted more than 85,000 trees. Parks employees and community
volunteers regularly water, weed and clean the Greenstreets spaces.
The City of Vancouver began a Green Streets program in 1994 to encourage local
citizens to beautify traffic circles, sidewalks and corner bulb outs. The City installs
the initial ‘structural’ plants – drought tolerant, evergreen and seasonally diverse
shrubs and trees. Seasonal flowers may be provided by the City or contributed by
local volunteers. Members of the volunteer Green Streets program receive regular
newsletters, free classes on responsible gardening practices and hold an annual party
to share images and ideas on successful spaces.
references
‘Better Streets, Better Places: Delivering Sustainable Residential Environments’
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellant/groups
Bullock, Simon
“The Economic Benefits of Farmers Market”
Friends of the Earth, 2002
City of Vancouver Green Street Program
“Green Streets”
December 2003
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engvcs/streets/greenstreets/general.htm
Corum, Vance and Marcie Rosenzweig
“Benefits of Farmer’s Markets for Vendors, Consumers and Communities”
The New Farmers Market, 2001
Earth Care Products
http://www.ecpl.com/products.html
National Parks Service Sustainable Practices and Opportunities Plan
http://www.nps.gov/sustain/spop/wood.html
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines
2004
http://www.epa.gov/cpg/about.htm
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste
Consolidated Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN)
for the Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG)
2001
Duane Street – Manhattan, NY http://www.epa.gov/cpg/pdf/rmanal3.pdf
Conversion of a traffic triangle into an attractive urban landscape and public space that is maintained
by a 501(c)(3) community maintenance group
66
Example sources for sustainably harvested / certified woods:

˙ Natural Forest Products – http://www.forestworld.com
˙ Certified Forest Products Council – http://www.certifiedwood.org
Examples of recycled plastic manufacturers within 500 miles of NYC:
˙ American Ecoboard – http://www.americanecoboard.com (NY)
˙ Millennium Lumber – http://www.bjmindustries.com (PA)
˙ Perma-Deck – http://www.cascadesreplast.com (Montreal, Canada)
˙ Plastic Lumber – http://www.aeo1.com (PA)
˙ Plastic Lumber – http://www.4-inteqcorp.com (OH)
˙ Plastic Lumber – http://www.plasticlumber.com
˙ Polywood Plastic Lumber Inc. – http://www.polywood.com (NJ)
˙ SeaTimber – http://www.weaward.com (VA)
˙ The Forever Deck – http://www.plasticlumberyard.com (PA)
˙ Trex – http://www.trex.com (VA)
Examples of recycled content safety surface manufacturers within 500 miles of NYC:
˙ Child Safe Products, Inc. – http://www.childsafeproducts.com (NY)
˙ Cushion Play – http://www.playworlsystems.com (PA)
˙ Playface – http://www.turtleplastics.com (OH)
˙ Playground surfaces – http://www.surfam.com (NY)
˙ Safe Guard Surfacing – http://www.safeguardsurfacing.com (NY)
˙ Softile kroslock – http://www.sofsurfaces.com ( Petrolia, Canada)
˙ Tirec – http://www.perma-turf.com (NJ)
˙ Tire Turf – http://www.continetalturf.com (OH)
˙ Vitriturf – http://www.vitriturf.com (NY)
The following are examples of low-VOC and low-toxic exterior paints for metal:
˙ SafeCoat MetalCoat Acrylic Metal Primer – http://www.afmsafecoat.com
˙ Benjamin Moore M29 Direct to Metal Acrylic – http://www.benjaminmoore.com
˙ Sherwin-Williams EnviroSpecDTM – http://www.sherwin-williams.com
˙ CCI – http://www.neutrarustinc.com
˙ DTM – http://www.fuhrinternationall.com
˙ Rust-Oleum, Sierra Performance Coatings S-37 MetalmaxTM DTM – http://www.rustoleum.com
67
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.6 OPTIMIZE SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
SS.6
transportation centers and other facilities of regional or symbolic importance. While
enhancing security in urban spaces is an essential objective, equally important is
the need to maintain the City’s vitality and openness. Security measures do not
OPTIMIZE SECURITY necessarily have to restrict access and movement, nor do they have to detract from
streetscape aesthetics. Security enhancements can integrate measures to beautify
ENHANCEMENTS
the public realm, provide increased amenity and landscaping, and improve the
streetscape environment for pedestrian movement. In fact, actively used streetscapes
or public spaces are safer and easier to police over the long run than empty ones.50
OBJECTIVE INTEGRATION
Balance legitimate security objectives with good urban design practices. Preserve
uncluttered and uncongested access to public space, sidewalks and streets. Integrate
streetscape enhancements and beautification with security improvements. Expand the ˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
palette of elements that can provide perimeter security while also providing amenity ˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
and improved aesthetics. Incorporate other BMPs into the design of security measures.
BENEFITS
Site Assessment
+ Attracts pedestrians to local businesses, reduces crime, and increases property
values. ˙ Convene designers, security experts, and local/state/federal agencies
+ Replaces unsightly and makeshift barriers with well-designed, appropriately scaled to conduct a risk assessment and threat analysis of site. (SA.1)
security solutions. ˙ Determine an appropriate ‘protection level’.
+ Opens streets to emergency vehicles and maintains public access appropriate to an ˙ Avoid over-design of security measures.
open and democratic society.
Planning
+ Coordinated security measures within a district reduce individual project costs and
overall maintenance. Develop a security master plan for site:
+ Well-designed and well-sited security measures minimize disruption and space ˙ Produce a coherent strategy for deploying specific families of streetscape and
consumption on public streets and sidewalks. security elements. Achieve aesthetic continuity along streets.
+ Well-designed, ‘hardened’ streetscape elements can offer both security and amenity. ˙ Coordinate planning for specific buildings with larger area-wide planning initiatives
to ensure compatibility and avoid duplication/redundancy of security measures.
˙ Provide perimeter security in a manner that does not impede commerce and
LIMITATIONS vitality, and does not excessively restrict pedestrian and vehicular mobility.
– Maintaining high urban design standards in security retrofits is challenging. Best ˙ At locations where greater standoff zones impact roadways, coordinate solutions
results are achieved when streetscape measures are designed in conjunction with to improve surface mass transit operation, bicycle lanes, increased pedestrian and
new building construction. green space, and emergency access routes.
– Achieving consistency and aesthetic continuity is difficult since security strategies ˙ Evaluate whether positive streetscape elements such as streetlights, planters
are usually highly site specific. and benches can be ‘hardened’ so they can function as both amenities and
– Quality materials and custom design are more costly than off-the-shelf solutions. components of perimeter security before resorting to bollards and walls. Avoid
– Underground utilities may require relocation to accommodate footings for practices that will compromise the health of street trees.
‘hardened’ elements. ˙ Develop an efficient and cost-effective implementation strategy.
Design
Background ˙ Consider the site context and architecture to design measures that are
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, heightened security in New complementary.
York City has led to the proliferation of security features within the streetscape 50
Project for Public Spaces. ‘Safety & Security in Public Space.’
environment, particularly near public buildings, religious and financial institutions, http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/issuepapers/safety_security.
68
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.6 OPTIMIZE SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
˙ Preserve historic features in significant or landmarked buildings.

˙ Conduct engineering and crash testing of all elements prior to installation as
security measures.
˙ In new building designs, integrate walls, terraces, raised planting beds, and other
security features so that they appear to be an extension of the building itself.
˙ Plant or maintain mature trees (8’ caliper minimum) as effective security barriers.
˙ Use ‘hardened’ planters between trees to maintain required distance between
vertical barriers.
˙ ‘Harden’ other streetscape elements such as kiosks, newsstands, trashcans,
benches, bike racks, tree guards and drinking fountains.
˙ If required, use posts and bollards that are compatibly scaled and attractively
designed; utilize retractable and removable bollards at vehicular access points.
˙ In locations of sufficient width consider incorporating ornamental fountains or pools.
˙ Integrate stormwater management objectives. (SM.3, SM.4)
˙ Where appropriate, consider ‘jujitsu’, or ‘tank trap’ techniques that allow surfaces
to collapse under the weight of a truck causing the penetrating vehicle to nose dive
into a below-grade bunker.
˙ Integrate other high performance practices with security measures, including traffic
calming, increased landscaping, stormwater management, etc.
references
Architectural Institute of America, AIA Best Practices
“Best Practices: A Model for Harmony of Urban Design and Security” – December 2003
Gallagher, Patti and Alex Krieger
“Security with Dignity”
Urban Land, March 2003
General Services Administration
“Physical Security Criteria and Standards” – 1997
National Capital Planning Commission
“National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan”
http://www.ncpc.gov
National Capital Planning Commission
“Designing for Security in the Nation’s Capital”
NCPC report – November 2001
http://www.ncpc.gov
Transportation Alternatives
“Establish Attractive Security and Pedestrian Areas in Lower Manhattan”
http://www.transalt.org
US Department of Defense
“UFC 4-010-01 DoD Minimum Anti-Terrorism Standards for Buildings” – 2002
Whole Building Design Guide
Coney Island Water Pollution Control Plant – Brooklyn, NY “Accommodate Life Safety and Security Needs”
Sweet-smelling and flowering plants are trained up the security fence surrounding a sewage http://www.wbdg.org/design/index
treatment complex.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE ˙ SS.7 OPTIMIZE STREETLIGHTING AND SIGNALING
SS.7
Light
The nighttime environment has the potential for high contrast lighting and glare due
to multiple man-made light sources under the dark sky vault.
OPTIMIZE Accordingly, specific lighting quality issues must be taken into account:
˙ Nighttime visibility, peripheral detection, adaptation.
STREETLIGHTING ˙ Security, safety, shadows, facial recognition, uniformity.

˙ Color appearance and contrast.
AND SIGNALING ˙ ‘Light trespass’ is unwanted light from an adjacent source, which causes spill and
glare.52 Light trespass causes annoyance and discomfort and may become a safety
concern by impairing nighttime visibility.
˙ ‘Light pollution’ is a reduction in sky magnitude, or the relative visibility of the stars
OBJECTIVE or darkness of the sky. It is caused by the direct loss of light up into the atmosphere
and also reflected light off the earth or other surfaces.
Achieve the most energy efficient streetlighting and signaling while maintaining a
Energy
safe, uniformly lighted, and aesthetically pleasing nighttime environment.
Globally, 8% of lighting energy use is devoted to street and other exterior lighting.53 In
terms of energy expended, street lighting has considerably less impact than lighting in
BENEFITS the residential, service, and industrial sector. However, it is estimated that 15 TWh are
+ Reduces energy use and saves money. used annually for street lighting in the United States, which in itself is considerable.54
+ Improves streetscape for pedestrians by increasing visibility and safety. Diminishing fossil fuel resources, air pollution from power plants, and the increasing
+ Off-grid street lighting enhances emergency preparedness and improves security cost of energy make increasing energy efficiency in streetlighting a high priority.
during blackouts and emergencies. Materials
+ Minimizes glare and light-pollution caused by light trespass. The embodied energy of streetlighting and signaling fixtures can be minimized by
+ Highlights the identity and character of an area. using recycled materials in poles and appurtenances, which are typically aluminum
or steel. Additionally, hazardous wastes such as lead, mercury and other chemical
LIMITATIONS compounds should be eliminated from lamps and ballasts.
– Additional research, prototyping and pilot installations are needed for

emerging technologies. INTEGRATION
Background ˙ SS.2 Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians
New York City has provided lighting on its streets since 1762, and currently ˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
maintains approximately 300,000 street lights within its five boroughs. In the City, ˙ PA.3 Maximize Pavement Albedo
pedestrians’ nighttime safety is of primary importance in determining illuminance
design standards since NYC is predominately a walking and mass-transit city.51
To improve lighting systems, it is essential to consider their environmental,
physiological, social and biological impacts. These impacts can be discussed in
terms of light, energy, and materials:
52
Spill is increased direct or reflective illumination, and glare is the sensation caused by an excessively bright
source directly within view.
53
51 http://eetd.lbl.gov/emills/PUBS/PDF/Global_Lighting_Energy.pdf
The NYC DOT’s Division of Street lighting is responsible for determining street lighting standards, and
54
installation, operation and maintenance of all City lights and most signals. 1TWh = 25 trillion lumen-hours
70
Retrofit of Existing Fixtures
Re-lamp existing luminaries to reduce light trespass, provide more even illumination, and improve
energy efficiency and sustainability:
˙ Attempt to reduce light trespass and pollution without increasing light fixture
numbers or decreasing light levels on the ground.
˙ Use highest-cutoff fixtures possible while still meeting photometric requirements.
˙ Use flat lens lamps.
˙ Reduce luminance ratios to provide more even illumination.
˙ Install shielding devices.
˙ To reduce the amount of kilowatt-hours consumed, re-lamp with lamps that have
high relative efficacies, and re-install luminaires with high relative efficiencies.
Select lamps with long rated lamp life.55
˙ Clean luminaires regularly to maintain greater efficiency.
˙ Replace electromagnetic ballasts with electronic ballasting, where applicable, to
achieve improved lifetime lamp performance.56
˙ Re-lamp with reduced or no-mercury lamps to minimize environmental impacts
associated with disposal of hazardous material.
Installation of New Lighting Fixtures

Prevent light trespass and improve ground-level illumination:
˙ Consider the use of full-cutoff fixtures. If necessary – and if energy consumption is not
increased – install new poles at a closer spacing to meet photometric requirements.
˙ Use flat-lens lamps to reduce glare. NYC 2004 City Lights Streetlight Competition – Winning Design
In 2004, the NYC Department of Design and Construction, in partnership with the NYC Department of
Transportation, conducted an international design competition to seek out a new streetlight design for
Optimize energy performance: the City in the 21st Century. The winning proposal, currently under development by the City, incorporates
˙ To reduce the amount of kilowatt-hours consumed, select lamps with high relative light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic panels to allow for a more energy-efficient and environmentally
efficacies, and select luminaires with high relative efficiencies and long rated lamp life.57 beneficial design.
˙ Select lamps with high average lamp life.
˙ Consider the synergy between light colored, high albedo pavement and improved
˙ Use electronic ballasts.
light reflectance from street lights, in order to optimize energy performance. See PA.2
˙ Minimize luminaire dirt depreciation (LDD)58 by properly sealing and gasketing
for more details.
fixtures to prevent the ingress of dirt, water, and other foreign objects. Select
luminaires that can be easily cleaned.
Consider employing emerging lighting technologies:
55
˙ Consider induction lighting (60-75 lm/W, with up to 100,000 hours of life).59
Lamp efficacy is the ratio of light output to the electric power consumed (Lumens per Watt). Lamp efficiency
is the percentage of light exiting the fixture. New York City employs High Pressure Sodium lamping
˙ Consider light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for signaling and streetlighting (see
technology, which has an efficacy of as much as 110 lumens per watt, and rated lamp life that outperforms examples).60
most other technologies.
56
For more information regarding ballasting refer to the Advanced Lighting Guidelines published by the New
Buildings Institute, sponsored by the California Energy Commission. 59
Induction lighting is an energy efficient, emerging lamp technology used widely in Europe with good color
57 rendering (but high initial costs).
High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide lamps have higher efficacies than Mercury Vapor Lamps -
80-130 lm/W for HPS and 70-110 lm/W for MH, as compared with 40-60 lm/W for MV. High intensity 60
City traffic lights are illuminated with light-emitting diodes (LED), as opposed to the incandescent lights many
fluorescent lamps have high luminous efficacies for mesopic/night-time light levels and may consume less other cities currently employ. Red, yellow and green-colored LEDs are now available with efficacies of 25-40
energy overall than HPS. High-efficiency roadway luminaires generally have an efficiency of >75%. lm/W. Besides having efficacies that are comparable with or better than incandescents, they do not incur the
58 losses – up to 70% – due to filters used with incandescent lamps. The efficacy of white LEDs now achieves
The accumulation of dirt on luminaires results in loss of light output and therefore wastes energy and impairs
performance of streetlight. as much 40 lm/W and is advancing rapidly.
71
˙ Consider fluorescent lighting, which provides better color rendition and visual
acuity.
references
˙ Explore possibility of installing sensors that would send a signal to a central location Advanced Lighting Guidelines
when the light is out to reduce maintenance costs. New Buildings Institute, 2003
˙ Use photocells to ensure streetlights operate only when daylight or ambient light is DDC Lighting Guide
insufficient. (Draft Form – complete reference when published)
˙ To reduce demand on the central grid and increase emergency preparedness,
consider installing photovoltaic panels on a portion of street lighting and consider Harrington, S. and T. Hund
using distributed generation energy sources.61 “Photovoltaic Lighting System Performance”
Sandia National Laboratory, 1996
Use environmentally preferable materials and resources: National Technical Information Service (NTIS) order No. DE96010527
˙ Use a high percentage of recycled-content materials in support structures.
˙ Reuse materials and components where possible. Heat Island Group
˙ Use low-emitting (low VOC) paints and primers on poles and appurtenances. “Pavement Albedo at Night”
http://eetd.lbl.gov/heatisland/Pavements/Albedo/Night.html
˙ Use local materials to reduce embodied energy.
˙ Repair and reuse damaged poles. Re-galvanize if necessary. Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
˙ Recycle unusable, damaged poles and other materials. “American National Standard Practice for Roadway Lighting”
˙ Enforce proper handling and safe disposal of lamps, ballasts, and other lighting (RP-8-83)
elements containing hazardous materials.
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
“Recommended Practice Manual: Lighting for Exterior Environments”
EXAMPLES (RP-33-99)
Tucson, Arizona replaced 22,000 street lights with hooded light fixtures, preventing Lighting Research Center News
light trespass and reducing wattage by 50% compared to the old fixtures. The http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/news/enews/Apr04/general123.html
resulting energy savings enabled Tucson to recover the costs of installation in three New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
years. Remarkably, the Milky Way became visible to the downtown population of
“How-to Guide to Effective Energy-Efficient Street Lighting”
500,000 people for the first time in decades. http://www.nyserda.org
Calgary, Canada is the first city in North America to embark on an extensive program United States Department of Energy
to retrofit residential streetlights with new, lower-wattage, flat lens fixtures. “Consumer Energy Information: EREC Fact Sheet”
http://www.eere.energy.gov/erec/factsheets/eelight.html
Easthampton, Massachusetts utilized new prototype fluorescent streetlights in a
project in cooperation with the U.S. EPA, the Lighting Research Center, and a local United States Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
utility. These fixtures used 30% less energy than high pressure sodium. “USDOE Outdoor Photovoltaic Reference Brief”
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/refbriefs/db8.html
San Diego, California retrofitted 179 five-globe HPS fixtures in a historic district with
induction lamps, with expected annual energy and maintenance savings of nearly
$13,000.
61
Costs of PV paneled fixtures and grid connected lighting may be equivalent due to costs of cable laying and
street repair.
72
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STREETSCAPE
STREETSCAPE
73
PAVEMENT
PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
PA.3 Maximize Pavement Albedo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
PA.5 Use Reduced-Emission Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
PA.6 Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT ˙ PA.1 MAXIMIZE PAVEMENT LIFECYCLE CITYWIDE
PA.1
understand and track the relationship between municipal pavement investment and
the resulting level of service. This understanding will help to optimize infrastructure
investments, improve operational and maintenance techniques, and ensure long-
MAXIMIZE PAVEMENT term performance of the City’s roadway system. For best results, coordinate the
pavement management system with other citywide infrastructure planning processes,
LIFECYCLE CITYWIDE
including streetscape improvement planning (SS.1), utility infrastructure planning (UI.1),
stormwater management planning (SM.1), and landscape planning (LA.1).
INTEGRATION
OBJECTIVE ˙ SS.1 Work with Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape
Undertake a comprehensive regime of planning, budgeting, construction, ˙ PA.3 Maximize Pavement Albedo
maintenance, and monitoring strategies to maximize pavement lifecycle citywide. ˙ PA.6 Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials
Develop a citywide pavement management system to ensure that the entire ˙ UI.1 Minimize Impact of Utility Work
roadway system is performing as well as possible at all times. Coordinate pavement ˙ UI.2 Improve Restoration of Utility Cut Trenches
management system with other citywide infrastructure planning processes to reduce ˙ UI.3 Coordinate Utility Infrastructure for Easy Access and Maintenance
disruption and coordinate construction work, redouble the value of infrastructure ˙ UI.4 Use Trenchless Technologies
investments, and minimize unanticipated future work that would lead to pavement ˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning
degradation. ˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning
˙ LA.4 Use Structural Soils Where Appropriate
BENEFITS ˙ LA.8 Plant Trees to Maximize Shading of Pavement
˙ CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction
+ Improves the durability, performance, and lifecycle of pavements.
+ Decreases construction work and costs, and energy and material inputs.
+ Reduces impact of construction on the environment and community. TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
+ Optimizes the effectiveness and value of public investments in infrastructure.
Develop a citywide pavement management system: Develop and implement a system
+ Comprehensive planning helps to minimize unanticipated future work that could
to coordinate all pavement planning, construction, operations and maintenance
lead to pavement degradation.
activities. The pavement management system should encompass the following
activities:
LIMITATIONS ˙ Regular investigation of roads.
˙ Condition assessment and prediction of future performance.
– Implementation will require a substantial enhancement of the City’s current capital ˙ Selection of maintenance and rehabilitation techniques.
asset management program in order to address NYC’s extensive road system. Such
˙ Prioritization of critical maintenance and rehabilitation projects.
an initiative will require long-term, dedicated funding.
˙ Adequate budgeting for planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
– A comprehensive pavement management system will require extensive
˙ Design and construction.
coordination with and cooperation of public and private utilities.
˙ Ongoing monitoring.
˙ Preventative maintenance.
Background
Develop and maintain a central database to track and integrate the following information:
A pavement management system is a comprehensive strategy and integrated ˙ Road conditions.
process for operating and maintaining a city’s entire roadway system. A pavement ˙ Complaints.
management system oversees a comprehensive regime of planning, construction, ˙ Accidents.
operation, maintenance and monitoring activities, including preventative ˙ Community board requests.
maintenance, corrective maintenance, holding maintenance, emergency ˙ Maintenance needs.
maintenance, condition assessment, lifecycle cost analysis, and so on. A pavement ˙ Inspection reports and evaluations.
management system is extremely beneficial because it allows stakeholders to
76
˙ Condition assessments. The goal of preventative maintenance is to maintain pavements in good condition
˙ Utility cut data. prior to the development of structural damage, thereby slowing the rate of
˙ Maintenance and rehabilitation performed. deterioration and extending the lifecycle of the pavement.64
˙ Develop a preventative maintenance plan and schedule as part of the planning and
Coordinate pavement management system with other infrastructure planning processes: design of new roads or major reconstruction.
˙ Streetscape improvement planning. (SS.1) ˙ Integrate preventative maintenance programs with pavement condition assessment
˙ Utility infrastructure planning and coordination. (UI.1) systems.
˙ Integrated stormwater management planning. (SM.1) ˙ Establish a long-term source of dedicated funding for preventative maintenance.
˙ Citywide landscape planning. (LA.1)
Optimize corrective maintenance techniques:
Anticipate future utility infrastructure needs and plan accordingly to minimize future pavement ˙ Equip maintenance crews with non-destructive testing and sensing devices to
disturbance and to reduce long-term costs: locate and analyze problems promptly.
˙ Consider installing laterals and additional conduit to minimize future impact and ˙ Use mobile asphalt hole repair units capable of treating spot repairs with minimum
long-term costs. disturbance to traffic.
˙ Provide the regulatory and financial mechanisms to facilitate this process. ˙ Improve restoration of utility cut trenches. (UI.2)
˙ Coordinate with private utilities. ˙ Use trenchless technologies. (UI.4)
˙ Ensure quick response times for sending maintenance teams out to service roads.
Practice pavement lifecycle cost analysis: Identify the best value – i.e. the lowest long-term
˙ Consider using an overlay to extend pavement lifecycle.
cost that satisfies the objective being sought – for investment expenditures. Lifecycle
˙ Consider employing crack sealing to prevent water infiltration.
cost analysis accounts for environmental and social impacts62 and evaluates the
overall long-term economic efficiency of competing alternative investment options. ˙ Consider employing rubblization – i.e. breaking down concrete into pieces and
overlaying hot mix asphalt (HMA) – to rehabilitate deteriorated Portland cement
Conduct routine pavement condition assessment. concrete (PCC) pavement.
˙ Coordinate data with utility condition assessment information. ˙ Utilize grouting with fly ash.
˙ Use recycled and reclaimed materials where possible and beneficial. (PA.6)
Standardize pavement design, maintenance, and assessment methods:
˙ Ensure that all pavement stakeholders, including transportation agencies, private Optimize additional maintenance activities:
utility companies, design engineers and construction managers adhere to the ˙ Emergency maintenance treatments: actions performed during or immediately
same standards. following an emergency situation.
˙ Undertake research and development to take advantage of best available technology. ˙ Holding maintenance treatments: actions to prolong use of the pavement until more
substantial rehabilitation takes place.
Plan and implement a preventative maintenance program: Preventative maintenance is a ˙ Pavement rehabilitation treatments: periodic actions to restore initial pavement
‘systematic and proactive’ strategy in which cost-effective treatments are made to serviceability through resurfacing, overlay, etc.
an existing roadway system ‘to preserve the system, retard future deterioration, and ˙ Reconstruction: removing all surface layer materials, improving base and sub-base
maintain or improve the functional conditions of the system.’63 materials as necessary, and applying a new surface.
62
According to the Swedish Environmental Research Institute: ‘Lifecycle assessment is a tool which makes it Use pavement management system to optimize municipal infrastructure capital investments.
possible to assess the environmental impact of a product, a process or an activity, through identifying and
quantifying the flows of energy and material; evaluating the consumption of energy and materials as well
as emissions generated, and identifying and evaluating possible measures for improving the environment.’
Lifecycle analysis categorizes and evaluates all the costs of a construction alternative from ‘cradle to grave’,
i.e. from the production of all material inputs through the end of service life and disposal. The following
costs are analyzed: raw materials, energy inputs, processing, stockpiling, loading and transporting, design,
construction, testing and inspection, operation, maintenance, disposal and reuse, user costs (from pollution,
traffic disruption, etc), and environmental impact. Numerous lifecycle assessment studies exist for different
pavement types to serve as a model, however, local circumstances must be considered to develop accurate
and useful lifecycle data. The goal of using lifecycle analysis in the design of pavements is to choose the
technique that will result in the lowest lifecycle costs and environmental impact, and best performance over
the analysis period. 64
Studies have found that conducting periodic, low cost preventative maintenance extends the life of
63
U.S. Federal Highway Administration, 2000. Insights into Pavement Preservation, pavements, leads to better overall transportation service, and enables the best possible returns on pavement
www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/asstmgt/resource.htm investments. Canadian Priority Planning BMP, page 5.
77
“Insights into Pavement Preservation”

2000
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/asstmgt/resource.htm
Federal Highway Administration, Office of Asset Management
Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Primer, FHWA-IF-02-047
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Department of Transportation, FHWA, 2002
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/asstmgmt/lcca.htm
Federal Highway Administration, Office of Engineering, Pavement Division
“Life-Cycle Cost Analysis in Pavement Design”
Interim Technical Bulletin, FHWA-SA-98-079
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Department of Transportation, FHWA, 1998
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/asstmgmt/lcca.htm
Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council.
Timely Preventative Maintenance for Municipal Roads – A Primer
National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
2000
http://www.infraguide.ca
Foundation for Pavement Preservation
Pavement Preventative Maintenance Guidelines
2001
http://fp2.org
Stripple, Hakan
Route 9A Reconstruction – Manhattan, NY Life Cycle Assessment of Road: A Pilot Study for Inventory Analysis
Roadway was reconstructed with a 50-year design life, rigid pavement structure composed of high-albedo Gothenburg, Sweden: Swedish Environmental Research Institute Ltd
concrete. Improvements were made to subsurface utilities to prevent the need for near-term utility repair 2001
and to protect the 50-year pavement. http://www.ivl.se/rapporter/pdf/b1210e.pdf
EXAMPLE Wisconsin Department of Transportation, RD&T Program and CTC and Associates
Pavement Preventive Maintenance Transportation Synthesis Report
A recent paper by the Michigan Department of Transportation studied pavement 2003
preventative maintenance programs conducted in three states: Arizona, Montana http://www.pavementpreservation.org/publications/WIDOT_TPM.pdf
and Pennsylvania. The study determined that for every dollar spent on preventative
maintenance, an average of $4 to $10 was saved in rehabilitation costs. The study
also determined that the earlier the preventative maintenance was conducted, the
lower the cost and the higher the benefits. For more information see:
http://www.pavementpreservation.org/publications/WIDOT_TPM.pdf
references
City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services
“Simplified Life Cycle Approach: Sewer Pipe”
Portland: Bureau of Environmental Services
2000
http://cleanrivers-pdx.org/pollution_prevention/archive/pipe.asp
Federal Highway Administration
78
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT ˙ PA.2 MINIMIZE IMPERVIOUS PAVEMENT AREA
PA.2
The Federal Highway Administration advocates that designers employ the ‘flexibility’
that exists within roadway design standards to achieve an optimal design for each
road project relative to its unique context, and to provide environmental and social
MINIMIZE IMPERVIOUS benefits. Reducing impervious pavement area and roadway width is an important
objective, where feasible and appropriate. In New York City, this objective is
PAVEMENT AREA
particularly challenging, as pedestrian and commercial demands for space in the
urban right-of-way are heavy. However, creative solutions for minimizing impervious
pavement area are readily achievable; if properly designed, these streets enable
pedestrians, bicyclists, surface mass-transit vehicles and cars to mix safely, and
ensure that the flow of goods and commerce is maintained.
OBJECTIVE
Reduce impervious pavement area, where appropriate, to decrease stormwater runoff INTEGRATION
and water pollution, reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs), decrease urban heat
island effect, and improve pedestrian safety. ˙ SS.2 Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians
SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
BENEFITS ˙
˙ PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements
+ Can significantly decrease construction costs by reducing excavation, materials use, ˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning
landfilling, etc. ˙ SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations
+ Reduces urban heat island effect. ˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
+ Reduces stormwater runoff, combined sewer overflows, and water pollution. ˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning
+ Promotes traffic calming. ˙ LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat
+ Improves pedestrian safety. ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
˙ LA.7 Increase Quantity, Diversity and Density of Trees
LIMITATIONS ˙ LA.8 Plant Trees to Maximize Shading of Pavement
– Could result in reduced level of service (LOS) if improperly designed.
– Could impact parking availability. TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
– Could make it difficult to provide dedicated bicycle lanes. Site evaluation:
˙ Research site history, conduct traffic counts and accident analysis. (SA.1)
Background ˙ Determine if road geometry is oversized or is a factor in traffic accidents.
˙ Consider lowering design speeds or level of service, and implementing traffic calming.
New York City’s public right-of-ways consist of nearly 20,000 lane miles of dark-
˙ Analyze opportunities for pavement reduction.
colored, impervious pavement – approximately 1.2 billion square feet – an area
nearly twice the size of Manhattan. While impervious pavements create a smooth and ˙ Consider pedestrian criteria and streetscape amenities. (SS.2, SS.5)
stable riding surface for cars, they enact significant environmental and social impact. ˙ Coordinate with area-wide bikeway initiatives. (SS.3)
Impervious pavements disallow rainwater from infiltrating into the ground, resulting ˙ Coordinate with efforts to improve operation of surface mass transit. (SS.4)
in tremendous amounts of stormwater runoff that contains sediments, oils, toxins, ˙ Discuss strategies with community board and fire department. (SS.1)
heavy metals and other water pollutants.65 Impervious pavements also absorb a large
Develop an overall right-of-way geometry: Incorporate the following objectives:
percentage of the solar energy hitting their surface, making them a leading cause of
˙ Pedestrian design and traffic calming objectives. (SS.2)
the urban heat island effect. Finally, research shows that oversized roadways increase
˙ Bicycle planning objectives. (SS.3)
the probability of accidents involving pedestrians since cars are more likely to travel at
˙ Surface mass-transit operation objectives. (SS.4)
unsafe speeds.66
65
˙ Improvements to right-of-way public space, green areas, or streetscape amenities.
One acre of pavement produces sixteen times as much runoff as a one acre meadow. See the Stormwater
Management Section for more details.
(SS.1, SS.5, LA.3)
66
Institute of Transportation Engineers. 1999. Traffic Calming: State of the Practice. Informational Report
˙ Stormwater management best practices. (SM.4 to SM.11)
sponsored by the FHWA. FHWA-RD-99-135. Institute of Transportation Engineers. Washington, D.C. Available
at: http://www.ite.org/traffic/tcstate.htm
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT ˙ PA.2 MINIMIZE IMPERVIOUS PAVEMENT AREA
˙ Use the smallest allowable dimensions for regular parking stalls.

˙ Base parking lot design on average parking needs rather than peak parking needs.
˙ Consider using pervious pavements, especially in overflow parking areas. (PA.4)
EXAMPLE
The City of Portland implemented its Skinny Streets Program in 1991 to reduce
street widths and calm traffic. Reducing street widths has helped to enhance
livability in communities, decrease stormwater runoff, and reduce construction costs
of new streets.
After two decades of planning and design, the reconstruction Route 9A in Manhattan
– a vital 5 mile section of roadway beginning at the Brooklyn Battery and running
to West 59th Street – was completed. This southernmost section of State Route 9A
was originally conceived of as an eight lane elevated urban freeway, but through
an interdisciplinary design process involving planners, landscape architects,
and community representatives, the final result is a six lane urban boulevard
with a reduced design speed, dedicated bike lanes, and ample landscaping. A
Route 9A Reconstruction – Manhattan, NY distinguishing feature of the final design is the center landscaped median that is
Lane-widths were reduced to 11’ and breakdown lanes were eliminated (pullouts provided every 600’) to elevated .50 m to .85 m (20 in to 34 in) above the roadway to allow for increased soil
minimize impervious pavement, allow for landscaped medians, and dedicated bike and pedestrian lanes. capacity and tree plantings. In addition, lane widths were reduced from 12’ to 11’
Reduce right-of-way impervious pavement area, where appropriate: even though Route 9A is a truck route and high volume road. Breakdown lanes were
˙ Reduce vehicle lane widths, where appropriate.67 also eliminated. According to the FHWA, the Route 9A redevelopment illustrated that
˙ Reduce quantity of lanes, where appropriate. a collaborative, multidisciplinary, and public planning and design process can result
˙ Use turning lanes and shoulders only where necessary. in the creation of a world-class street design. It should be noted that Route 9A has a
high-intensity maintenance program, which is entirely paid for by New York State.
˙ Minimize street turning radii. (SS.2)
˙ Reduce ROW parking area, where appropriate.
˙ Implement traffic calming measures that reduce impervious pavement. (SS.2) references
˙ Increase landscaped areas by adding medians, planting strips, etc. (SS.5, LA.3) City of Portland Office of Transportation
˙ Redesign impervious medians and other features with landscaping. (SS.5, LA.3) Portland Pedestrian Design Guide – 1998
˙ Consider changes to sidewalks to reduce impervious pavement. http://www.trans.ci.portland.or.us/designreferences/Pedestrian/
˙ Minimize the extent of unbroken expanses of impervious pavement. Congress for the New Urbanism. Narrow Streets Database
˙ Increase landscaping within full-width sidewalk areas. (SS.5, LA.3, LA.7, LA.8) http://www.sonic.net/abcaia/narrow.htm
˙ Use pervious pavements. (PA.4)
Reduce impervious pavement in parking lots: Reduce impervious pavement in parking lots Our Built and Natural Environments: A Technical Review of the Interactions between Land Use, Transportation,
by up to 30% through the following changes:68 and Environmental Quality. EPA 123-R-01-002. Washington D.C.: EPA, 2001
Reduce impervious pavement in parking lots: Federal Highway Administration
˙ Substitute compact cars parking stalls for 30% of all spaces. Flexibility in Highway Design – 1997
˙ Share parking between businesses with different peak parking demand schedules. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/flex/index.htm
67
AASHTO Guidelines do not require 12’ wide lanes. Lane widths can be reduced without affecting level of Institute of Transportation Engineers
service or traffic volumes. Neighborhood Street Design Guidelines. RP-033 ITE: Washington, D.C. –2003
68
Recommendations from: Environmental Protection Agency. 2001. Our Built and Natural Environments:
A Technical Review of the Interactions between Land Use, Transportation, and Environmental Quality. Traffic Calming: State of the Practice. Informational Report sponsored by the FHWA. FHWA-RD-99-135
EPA 123-R-01-002. EPA: Washington DC. http://www.epa.gov/livability/pdf/built.pdf Washington, D.C.: Institute of Transportation Engineers – 1999
(Accessed December, 2003). Page 50. http://www.ite.org/traffic/tcstate.htm
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT ˙ PA.3 MAXIMIZE PAVEMENT ALBEDO
PA.3
Increasing the albedo of paved surfaces will decrease the absorption of solar energy,
thereby reducing the build-up of urban heat. The urban heat island effect has
played a primary role in increasing average summertime temperatures in NYC by
MAXIMIZE approximately 4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880.70 The urban heat island effect is
likely to be compounded in the future by increasing global climate change, causing
PAVEMENT ALBEDO
significant public health, economic, and environmental consequences. High air
temperatures inflict severe stresses on humans, especially on children, the elderly
and people with respiratory problems. The urban heat island effect increases the
concentration of ground level ozone – a harmful eye and respiratory irritant – and also
increases energy demand for air conditioning use, further increasing air pollution.
OBJECTIVE Studies estimate that Los Angeles could save $90 million a year from decreased
Maximize pavement albedo, or reflectivity, to reduce urban heat island effect, improve energy use and smog reduction if it increased pavement albedo citywide (to .25).71
air quality, and reduce energy consumption for air-conditioning. Researchers also estimate that a reduction in urban temperatures of approximately
3 degrees F. would produce air quality benefits equivalent to replacing a city’s entire
fleet of gas-powered cars with electric vehicles.72
BENEFITS
+ Reduces urban heat island effect and energy use.
+ Reduces the production of ground level ozone, significantly improving public health
INTEGRATION
and quality of life. ˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
+ Increases pavement durability, resulting in longer lasting streets and cost savings. ˙ PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements
+ Improves nighttime illumination by increasing the effectiveness of artificial street ˙ PA.6 Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials
lighting and enhancing natural ambient lighting. ˙ LA.8 Plant Trees to Maximize Shading of Pavement
˙ SS.7 Optimize Streetlighting and Signaling
LIMITATIONS
– Could increase the cost of design and construction, especially if new equipment
is required.
– Poor roadway maintenance and inadequate utility cut restoration could undermine
Planning
efforts to increase pavement albedo. Develop a comprehensive, citywide plan to increase pavement albedo:
– Could increase maintenance needs and cost. ˙ Analyze the benefits and costs of increasing albedo citywide.
– Light-colored asphalts or coatings that require routine reapplication may ˙ Set a goal for citywide pavement albedo.
be impractical for high-use roads or composite pavements with a sacrificial ˙ Conduct research and development
wearing course. ˙ Determine ways to improve pavement maintenance so albedo increase is not
undermined.
˙ Use lifecycle analysis to choose the most cost effective strategies.
Background ˙ Integrate with other city planning and high performance infrastructure initiatives.
According to the EPA, ‘albedo’ is the ability of a surface material to reflect incident ˙ Provide regulatory or financial incentives to encourage private sector participation.
solar (short wave) radiation. Albedo is expressed on a scale of 0 to 1 where a value
of 0.0 indicates that a surface absorbs all solar radiation, and an albedo value of 1.0
70
represents total reflectivity.69 Light-colored surfaces generally have higher albedos and Factoring in global warming, researchers estimate that by the year 2100, temperatures in NYC could
increase up to ten degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in many 90-degree days as Miami. Bloomfield, Janine,
dark materials have lower albedos. Conventional asphalt has an albedo in the range Environmental Defense Fund. Hot Nights in the City: Global Warming, Sea-Level Rise and the New York
0.04 to 0.12, while concrete has an albedo of around 0.5. Metropolitan Region. New York: EDF, 1999.
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/493_HotNY.pdf Page. 5.
71
Heat Island Group. http://eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/Pavements/Durability/
72
Stone Jr., Brian, and Rodgers, Michael O. Urban Form and Thermal Efficiency, How the Design of Cities
69
Environmental Protection Agency. From Heat Island Effect Webpage: Influences Urban Heat Island Effect. APA Journal Spring, 2001. Vol. 67, No. 2.
http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/resources/faq.html#7. http://www.wisc.edu/urpl/people/stone/UFTE.pdf
81
˙ Work with utility companies and private contractors to improve pavement

maintenance techniques and to minimize pavement disruption. (UI.1 to UI.4)
performance goalS
˙ Increase albedo in all road resurfacing and reconstruction projects. ˙ Increase citywide albedo to 0.25.
˙ Achieve an albedo of 0.3 or higher on road resurfacing and reconstruction projects.
Design
Consider using light colored aggregate in asphalt: Using light colored aggregate increases
average albedo over a pavement’s lifetime. As dark asphalt binder wears away, the EXAMPLE
light colored aggregate is revealed, raising albedo and reflectivity. Route 9A in Manhattan was reconstructed with a 50-year design life, rigid pavement
structure composed of high-albedo concrete. Improvements were made to subsurface
Consider using high-albedo asphalt coating: Asphalt coatings allow for an albedo of over 0.5. utilities to prevent the need for near-term utility repair and to protect the 50-year
One study found that the average summertime surface temperature of high-albedo pavement. To facilitate the use of concrete, a crusher plant was constructed to create
coated asphalt was 88 degrees F, compared to 123 degrees for conventional asphalt.73 recycled aggregate and a local concrete plant was reopened to avoid long distance
Consider conducting chip-sealing on low volume roads: Chip sealing is a pavement surfacing transportation. For this and many other reasons, Route 9A is considered a premier
technique that uses a thin layer of asphalt covered with partially exposed light example of “Context Sensitive Design.” See the “Precedents in NYC” section in Part I
colored aggregate. Chip sealing increases albedo to as high as 0.35, compared with for more details.
conventional asphalts albedo of 0.04 to 0.12. In Georgia, the non-profit group ‘Cool Communities’ – which is sponsored by the US
Consider painting sections of pavement with light-colored paint: Paint bike lanes, crossing Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency – has formed a coalition
areas, intersections and other zones with light-colored paint to enhance visibility and of public and private organizations to work together to reduce urban heat island effect
safety, and to reduce urban heat. by promoting increased pavement albedo, among other strategies.
http://www.coolcommunities.org
Consider using Portland cement concrete where possible: The albedo of Portland cement
concrete is around 0.5. Substitute Portland cement concrete for asphalt concrete
wherever possible.74 Ultra thin white-topping can be used as a rehabilitation strategy
references
to keep the costs of design and construction to a minimum, while increasing albedo. Asphalt Institute
http://www.asphaltinstitute.org
Consider using a tinted asphalt or white binder: Conduct research and development and
Bloomfield, Janine, and the Environmental Defense Fund
consider use of best-available technologies for light colored asphalt binders.
Hot Nights in the City: Global Warming, Sea-Level Rise and the New York Metropolitan Region
Consider using alternative soil stabilization resins: Alternative soil stabilization resins can be New York: EDF, 1999
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/493_HotNY.pdf
used to provide walking or vehicle surfaces in light-traffic areas such as park walks,
runs, and bike paths. California Chip Seal Association
http://www.chipseal.org
Maintenance
City of Seattle Department of Transportation
˙ Ensure that roadway maintenance does not diminish albedo.75
http://www.cityofseattle.net/transportation/chipseal.htm
˙ Work with utility companies and private contractors to improve pavement
maintenance techniques and to minimize pavement disruption. (UI.1 to UI.4) Heat Island Group
˙ Consider fines or penalties for non-compliance. “Cool Pavements Lower Temperatures”
http://eetd.lbl.gov/heatisland/pavements/lowertemps
73
Research conducted by the Heat Island Group, using asphalt coating developed by Reed & Graham, Inc. of
San Jose, California. http://eetd.lbl.gov/heatisland/pavements/lowertemps. Heat Island Group
74
The trend in metropolitan and urban areas is to move towards a composite pavement structure similar “Pavement Albedo at Night”
to NYC’s design rather than a rigid pavement, due to the difficulty in repairing utility cuts in the latter. http://eetd.lbl.gov/heatisland/Pavements/Albedo/Night.html
However, atypical city streets with no utilities may be a good candidate for a higher-albedo rigid pavement.
See Example. Livable Houston
75
According to the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project Final Report, published by the NYC
The Citywide Committee for the Building Environment:
DOT, ‘material and color changes to pavements are often rendered ineffective through poor roadway Urban Heat Island Reduction Group Recommendations
maintenance. Much more stringent maintenance practices are needed to maintain the effectiveness of Houston: Livable Houston – 2000
these techniques.’ http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html. (Accessed June 2004). http://www.livablehouston.org/cleanair/Urban-Heat-Island.doc
Pages 45-68. Pages 72-3.
82
National Asphalt Pavement Association

http://www.hotmix.org
National Center for Asphalt Technology
http://www.eng.auburn.edu/center/ncat
NaturalPAVE XL Resin Pavement
http://www.sspco.com
New York City Department of Design and Construction,
Office of Sustainable Design
Reducing New York City’s Urban Heat Island Effect:
Cost Effectiveness Calculations for White Roofs,
Green Roofs, Lighter Roadways and Trees
New York: NYC DDC Office of Sustainable Design, 2004
Pomerantz, M., B. Pon, H. Akbari, and S. Chang
The Effect of Pavements’ Temperatures on Air Temperatures in Large Cities
Report No. LBNL-43442
Berkeley: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2000
http://eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/PUBS/2000/43442rep.pdf
Stone Jr., Brian, and Michael O. Rodgers
“Urban Form and Thermal Efficiency, How the Design of Cities
Influences Urban Heat Island Effect”
APA Journal, Spring, 2001
Vol. 67, No. 2
http://www.wisc.edu/urpl/people/stone/UFTE.pdf
Washington State Department of Transportation
http://www.esdot.wa.goc/regions/eastern/chipsealresurfacing.cfm
83
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT ˙ PA.4 USE PERVIOUS PAVEMENTS
PA.4
surface unsealed, allowing water to infiltrate. The second type of pervious pavement
is ‘permeable surfacing’, which allows water to infiltrate through pervious joints or
spaces between pavement material. Permeable surfacing typically consists of unitary
USE PERVIOUS brick, stone, or concrete where the joints between the pavers are filled with a porous
material such as gravel. Open-grid pavement, another type of permeable surfacing,
PAVEMENTS
typically consists of plastic or concrete “grids” which are infilled with grass, gravel or
other porous material.
INTEGRATION
OBJECTIVE ˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
Use pervious pavements, where appropriate, to increase on-site infiltration, reduce ˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning
stormwater runoff and water pollution, and reduce urban heat island effect. ˙ SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations
BENEFITS
+ Reduces runoff, combined sewer overflows, and water pollution. TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
+ Improves water quality through physical filtration.
+ Reduces urban heat island effect. Site Evaluation
+ Improves urban hydrology and facilitates groundwater recharge. ˙ Conduct soil analysis. (SA.2)
+ Improves traffic safety by reducing hydroplaning and improving wet ˙ Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic analysis. (SA.3)
weather visibility. ˙ Ensure soil is suitable for infiltration. (SA.2, SA.3, SM.9)
˙ Determine if porous surfacing (porous asphalt, porous concrete, porous pavers,
LIMITATIONS etc.) or permeable surfacing (open-grid paving, interlocking paving stones, etc.) are
appropriate.
– Not appropriate for high volume roads. ˙ Avoid using pervious pavements near potential sources of pollution, including gas
– Could result in groundwater contamination. stations, truck stops, and industrial sites.
– Difficult to use where soil is compacted. ˙ Ensure that use of pervious pavements will not result in groundwater contamination.
– Requires periodic maintenance. ˙ Ensure that de-icing procedures will not decrease functionality.
– Diminished infiltration rate, clogging, and flooding could result from inadequate
maintenance. Planning and Design
– Sensitive to frost heave and clogging. Consider using pervious pavements in right-of-way applications:
˙ Low volume roads.
˙ Roads susceptible to flooding.
Background ˙ Parking areas or shoulders.
Pervious pavements are hard surfaces – often equal in strength and durability to ˙ Sidewalks and walking paths.
conventional pavements – that allow stormwater to percolate through the pavement ˙ Separated bike lanes.
and into the ground. Using pervious pavements to encourage infiltration throughout ˙ Fire truck access lanes.
the City will reduce runoff, combined sewer overflows, and water pollution. It will also
aid in groundwater recharge and urban heat island mitigation. Two types of pervious Use pervious pavements in other locations:
pavements exist. The first is ‘porous surfacing’, which allows water to infiltrate across ˙ Parking lots.
the entire paved surface through small openings. Types of porous surfacing include ˙ Roads and walkways in parks.
porous asphalt, porous concrete, and porous pavers. Porous asphalt and concrete ˙ Back alleys and service areas.
are created by leaving the fine aggregate out of the paving mix, and by leaving the ˙ City facilities, including warehouses, bus depots, maintenance facilities, etc.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT ˙ PA.4 USE PERVIOUS PAVEMENTS
Design references
˙ Provide reservoir of crushed stone or river-run pebbles below porous paving. CIRIA
˙ Use a geotextile below reservoir basin to reduce sediment migration into sub-base. “Introduction to Pervious Surface Types”
˙ Ensure that traffic markings will bond to the pavement and will not require http://www.ciria.org/suds/637_surface_types.htm
unreasonable rates of reapplication.
Environmental Building News
˙ Separate large expanses of impervious pavement with pervious pavements. (PA.2)
“Porous Pavement: A Win-Win Stormwater Strategy”
˙ Consider using BMPs in conjunction with pervious pavement installations to aid in Environmental Building News, September 2004
the reduction and treatment of runoff, and to prevent flooding. (SM.4 to SM.11)
˙ Edge pervious pavement areas with filtration strips compose of river stones or other Evaluation and Management of Highway Runoff Water Quality
(Young et al., 1996)
materials. (PA.5)
˙ Slope adjacent grade away from porous pavement to avoid carrying excess Federal Highway Administration
sediment into the porous pavement area. Stormwater Best Management Practices in an Ultra-Urban Setting:
Selection and Monitoring. FHWA-EP-00-002
Maintenance U.S. Department of Transportation
˙ Perform periodic vacuum sweeping and/or jet hosing to maintain the infiltrative FHWA: Washington, D.C.: FHWA, May 2000
capacity of pervious pavements. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ultraurb/
˙ Avoid sedimentation of downstream BMPs or water sources during maintenance. Florida Concrete and Products Association
(CP.3) http://www.fcpa.org
˙ If necessary, perform periodic mowing of modular open grid pavements planted Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute
with turfgrass. http://www.icpi.org
˙ Ensure that de-icing procedures will not decrease functionality. Avoid sand and salt
applications during winter maintenance. (SM.2) National Asphalt Pavement Association
˙ Use care when snowplowing. Grid pavers and turf-pave systems require a special
skid-plate on snowplows to keep the blades from digging up the pavement surface. National Resource Defense Council
˙ If possible, analyze sediment removal rate to optimize maintenance schedule and Out of the Gutter: Reducing Polluted Run-Off in the District of Columbia
infiltration performance. NRDC: New York, July 2002
http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/gutter/gutterinx.asp
EXAMPLE National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association

http://www.nssga.org
Reconstructed sidewalks along Route 9A in Manhattan incorporate un-grouted The Pervious Company – National Pervious Concrete Contractors
granite pavers on top of a continuous tree trench filled with structural soil to increase http://www.pervious.com/home
stormwater infiltration and uptake by trees. Use of structural soil and increased soil
volume also enables deeper root growth, and thus prevents damage to sidewalks. Pratt, C.J.
Sustainable Urban Drainage
Porous asphalt pavement was used on a section of Cross Island Parkway just A Review of Published Material on the Performance of Various SUDS Devices
south of Northern Boulevard to reduce periodic flooding. The asphalt looks just like London: Coventry University and the Environment Agency, 2001
conventional asphalt. Undertaking monitoring of this and other pervious pavement http://www.ciria.org/suds/pdf/suds_review_jan02.pdf
sites over time will help the City assess the cost effectiveness, performance, A Current Assessment of Urban Best Management Practices –
durability, and maintenance needs of using pervious pavements in highly trafficked Techniques for Reducing Non-Point Source Pollution in the Coastal Zone
right-of-ways. (Schueler et al., 1992)
Stormwater Infiltration
The Sunrise Yards Department of Transportation Maintenance Facility employs two
types of permeable pavements in a parking lot and fire truck route. (Furgerson, 1994)
85
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT ˙ PA.5 USE REDUCED-EMISSION MATERIALS
PA.5
can be applied to infrastructure materials. Limits on VOCs and other toxins can be
enacted by inserting requirements into standard specifications, which will ultimately
lead to increased use of reduced-emission, renewable, and biobased products.
USE REDUCED-EMISSION INTEGRATION

MATERIALS ˙ SM.2 Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control
˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction
OBJECTIVE
Minimize levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and overall toxicity in TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
compounds, sealants, coatings, traffic markings, and other products or materials used
in right-of-way construction. Conserve natural resources by specifying renewable or Ensure Compliance
biobased materials and products. ˙ Require submittal of product data sheet and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
for each product proposed for use. If VOC concentration is not indicated, request
BENEFITS information from manufacturer.
˙ Submit data indicating biobased material and content in product.
+ Reduces air pollution and the production of ground level ozone.
+ Increases health and safety of workers, reducing liability for the City.
Applications for Asphaltic Materials76
+ Increases public health and safety. Asphalt, the semi-solid residual product of petroleum refining, is used in urban areas
+ Reduces water and ground pollution. for a variety of applications from paving to patching. Diluents or solvents used in
+ Reduces resource depletion. asphaltic materials often contain high levels of VOCs. Consider the following strategies
to reduce environmental impact:
LIMITATIONS Prioritize use of hot-mix asphalt: Hot-mix asphalt (HMA) has minimal emissions of VOCs
and HAPs due to its high molecular weight and low vapor pressures and is preferred
– Some water-based products may increase construction times.
over high-diluent products.77 Current City practice is to use HMA wherever possible,
– Some water-based products cannot be used in cold weather.
for resurfacing, reconstruction and repairs.
Background Reduce impact of prime coat: In flexible pavements, minimize impact from prime coats
applied to the granular base before the asphalt course is applied:
Many construction materials and paints used in the public right-of-way contain ˙ Limit use of cutback petroleum- based asphalt.
compounds, chemicals and substances that adversely impact the environment and ˙ Specify asphalt prime coat with lowest possible diluents to achieve lowest possible
are hazardous to human health. One of the most serious consequences resulting VOC emissions.
from use of these materials is ground-level ozone, which is formed in photochemical
reactions with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrous oxides found in these Reduce patching and sealing emissions:
materials. Aggravated asthma, reduced lung capacity, and increased susceptibility to ˙ Cover asphalt container when possible.
certain respiratory illnesses are just a few of the health problems attributed to even ˙ Specify HMA or water-based (emulsified) asphalt use when possible in
very low levels of ground-level ozone. Ecological impacts include decreased plant warm weather.78
resistance to insects, harsh weather and generation of other pollutants.
76
Asphaltic cement: is either fluxed natural asphalt or residual asphalt derived from the distillation of asphaltic
Another class of toxins known as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) is found in typical petroleum.
77
infrastructure construction materials. HAPs are typically released in smaller quantities Emission Inventory Improvement Program Technical Report Series, STAPPA ALAPCO EPA Emission Inventory
but can be even more dangerous than VOCs. Certain products and processes are Improvement Program. January 2001, Vol. 3, Ch. 17.
Available at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/eiip/techreport/ (Accessed 10/13/04)
evaluated in terms of their toxicity – a measure of how harmful a chemical is to 78
Emulsified asphalt: is a liquid mixture in which minute globules of bitumen are held in suspension in water or
human health based toxicological data. Though toxicity measurement is primarily in a watery solution. Emulsified asphalt emissions are lower than cutback, however, some emulsified asphalts
limited to industrial processes, some of the same determinants used to rate toxicity contain up to 12% solvents.
86
˙ When petroleum-based asphalt (cutback79) is required, use compound with lowest ˙ Use negligible-VOC emissive thermoplastic traffic markings (less than 50 grams
possible diluent concentration to achieve lowest possible VOC emissions.80 per liter) for permanent markings; limit paint to temporary applications.
˙ Use low-VOC primer (less than 150 grams per liter) for thermoplastic reflectorized
Applications for Concrete Materials pavement markings and thermosetting adhesives.
Concrete sidewalks, slabs, boxes, cradles and other structures found in the right- ˙ Consider using recycled content glass beads in thermoplastic reflectorized
of-way are sprayed with concrete curing materials to seal them off and prevent pavement markings. Take caution, as glass beads can shatter on impact with
evaporation. It is a one-time application performed during a concrete pour, and is sharp metallic objects.
either confined or wears off with time. Consider the following strategies to minimize ˙ Specify 150 g/L limit on VOC content of temporary and permanent traffic
VOCs: marking paint. Use paints with low levels of aromatic compounds and other
restricted chemicals.
Reduce impact of concrete curing compound:
˙ Specify a latex, water-based emulsion marking paint when street closure does not
˙ Specify curing compounds with lowest possible diluents to achieve lowest
affect traffic.
possible VOC emissions. Specify 160g/L limit on VOC content of concrete curing
compounds, as per DDC Office of Sustainable Design Low Toxicity Material ˙ Consider the use of high build acrylic coating (HBAC) on asphaltic pavement
Specifications. and pavements.83
˙ Consider the feasibility of limiting VOC content to 90 g/L, as per DOD-EPA Parking ˙ Consider water-based road marking paints in combination with reflective
Lot Requirements contract. glass beads.
˙ Specify water-based, acrylic compound. Applications for Anti-Graffiti Coatings
˙ In composite pavements, use the tack coat between the concrete base and
asphalt-wearing course as a concrete curing compound. ˙ Specify 250 g/L limit on VOC content
˙ Use water-based coatings
Reduce impact of tack coat:
Applications for Biobased Filter Fabric
˙ Specify emulsified asphalt/curing compound in warm weather.81
See PA.6, Part Vi
˙ Limit cutback asphalt use.
˙ Specify asphalt tack coat/curing compounds with lowest possible diluents to
achieve lowest possible VOC emissions (e.g. maximum of 250 grams per liter). EXAMPLE
Reduce impact of form release agent: At the Pentagon in 1997, the Department of Defense, in partnership with the EPA,
˙ Specify low- to zero-VOC form release agent. implemented a pilot construction project utilizing environmentally benign pavements
˙ Use biobased, biodegradable agent with minimum 85% soy-based oil or other and pavement accessories. Among the products used were water-based, lead-free,
biobased material.82 chromatic-free, and low-VOC content paint alternatives.
Applications for Traffic Marking Coatings See http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/pubs/eppdod1.pdf
˙ When possible, substitute change of pavement color or texture for coated West Virginia prohibits the manufacture, mixing, storage, use or application of
traffic markings. cutback asphalts during the ozone season, which extends from May through
September. Emulsified asphalt containing any VOC is prohibited during the same
period without exception. In the District of Columbia these same restrictions are
79
Asphalt cutback, or liquid asphalt, is a product of fluxing an asphaltic residuum with a petroleum distillate,
extended from April through September.
typically 25 to 40 percent by volume. Asphalt cutback emissions are caused by the use of diluents containing
VOCs and some HAPs.
80
Rapid Cure (RC) asphalt cutback uses gasoline and napthas as diluents and produces the highest emissions,
with evaporative losses estimated at 95 percent by weight of diluent. Medium Cure (MC) asphalt cutback
uses kerosene as a diluent, and evaporative losses are estimated at 70 percent by weight of diluent. Slow
Cure (SC) uses low volatility fuel solvents as diluents and produces the lowest levels of emissions, with
evaporative losses estimated at 25% by weight of diluent.
81
Emulsified asphalt is currently prohibited from application as concrete curing compound when the weather is
below 40 degrees
82
As per the June 7, 2002 Draft of the USDA Biobased Products ‑– Definitions and Descriptions, minimum
83
biobased content for construction materials is 85%. HBAC produces upraised markings and is appropriate for use in marking crosswalks, centerlines, etc.
87
references U.S. Air Force

Studies on VOC compliance of exterior paint
California Air Resources Board http://cbbs.spk.usace.army.mil/library/AIRFORCE/AFETL/etl87_2.pdf
Architectural Coating Regulations
http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm
DRAFT Federal Guide for Construction Green Specs
Available at Whole Building Design Guide
http://www.wbdg.org
_____
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/index.htm
_____
“Ground-level Ozone: What is it? Where does it come from?”
http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/ozone/what.html
_____
Emission Inventory Improvement Program
Technical Report Series
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/eiip/techreport/
Environmentally Responsible Product and Service Listings
http://www.greenseal.org/
Gaughen, C.D., and Joseph H. Brandon
Guidance Development: High Build Acrylic Coating (HBAC) for Marking Pavements
Hueneme, California: Naval Facilities Engineering & Service Center Port, 2000
http://www.stormingmedia.us/68/6852/A685283.html
GreenSpec Directory
Contains detailed listings for environmentally preferable building products with descriptions,
manufacturer information, and links to additional resources.
Available in web-based subscription or hard copy
http://www.buildinggreen.com/
DDC Low Toxicity Materials Specifications
http://nyc.gov/html/ddc/html/ddcgreen/
Architectural Surface Coating VOC Content Limits in New York State
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/regs/
South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) Rule #1113
Utah Department of Transportation
A Comparative Analysis of the Alternative Pavement Marking
Utah: Utah Department of Transportation
http://www.trafficlab.utah.edu/research/projects/current/acrobat/UDOTfin.pdf
88
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT ˙ PA.6 USE RECYCLED AND RECLAIMED MATERIALS
PA.6 LIMITATIONS
– Impurities in recycled / reclaimed materials can lead to inconsistent or reduced
USE RECYCLED
mixture stability, strength and durability.
– Can lead to migration of lime into planting soil.
– Quality control procedures could make using certain recycled / reclaimed materials
AND RECLAIMED cost prohibitive in comparison to locally available and inexpensive virgin aggregates.
– Some recycled / reclaimed materials used for aggregate are more absorptive than
MATERIALS conventional aggregate and therefore have a higher asphalt cement demand.
– In some cases, excessive use of recycled / reclaimed materials can reduce mixture
stability and strength.
– Some recycled / reclaimed materials are dusty and may result in more dust
OBJECTIVE generation than normal.
– Using some recycled materials in concrete could require a longer set time.
Use recycled and reclaimed materials in infrastructure construction to divert
waste materials from landfills into productive reuse. Create policy and program
mechanisms to facilitate the use of recycled and reclaimed materials. Systematically Background
evaluate usage.
This BMP is organized into six subcategories: one recommending programmatic
practices and five demonstrating material applications:
BENEFITS
+ Conserves and reduces pressure on local landfills. I) DEVELOP A RECYCLED MATERIALS PROGRAM
+ Reduces transportation costs and air pollution. II) APPLICATIONS IN ASPHALT CONCRETE
+ Decreases the likelihood of future raw materials shortages.
+ In many cases offers significant cost savings over virgin materials, particularly if III) APPLICATIONS IN PORTLAND CEMENT AGGREGATE
locally available or site processed.
+ Decreases the embodied energy of pavements by taking advantage of the energy
IV) APPLICATIONS IN PORTLAND CEMENT CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS
already invested in the recycled / reclaimed products. V) APPLICATIONS IN SUB-GRADE
+ Some recycled / reclaimed materials improve pavement workability during
construction. VI) NON-PAVEMENT APPLICATIONS
+ Some recycled / reclaimed materials increase pavement strength and durability.
+ Large quantities of recycled and reclaimed materials are regionally available, and
high levels of recycling are possible.84 INTEGRATION
+ Promotes local economic development and strengthens the market for recycled
material technologies.
˙ PA.1 Optimize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide
˙ PA.3 Maximize Pavement Albedo
˙ UI.2 Improve Restoration of Utility Cut Trenches
˙ LA.6 Perform Soil Berming
˙ CP.4 Implement a Waste Management and Recycling Plan
84
In the US, between 350 and 850 million tons of potentially usable materials are generated from the
municipal, industrial, and transportation sectors each year, while the use of new materials in highway
construction is estimated to be 350 million tons per year (320 M tons of which is aggregate). The Netherlands
has an extremely efficient recycling program that aims to achieve closed material cycles for construction
materials; for many transportation materials, the Netherlands acheves 100% recyclng. Sweden, Germany and
Denmark also have high recycling efficiencies for materials utilized in pavement construction. See Eighmy,
T. Taylor, and Holtz, Katherine. 2000. Scanning European Advances in the Use of Recycled Materials in
Highway Construction. Public Roads. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration,
July, Vol.64. No.1. http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/julaug00/index.htm (Accessed December, 2003). 2 Ibid.
89
I. Develop A Recycled and Reclaimed ˙ Where appropriate, use laboratory and field tests to determine if material meets
environmental criteria in its application.88
Materials Program ˙ Evaluate environmental cost savings (reduced air pollution, reduced waste, etc).
Develop a program to increase recycled materials used in street construction:85 Evaluate occupational safety and health:
˙ Assess amounts and types of recycled and virgin materials currently used. ˙ Develop standards or use existing criteria for protecting worker health and safety.
˙ Evaluate regional supplies of recycled and virgin materials. ˙ Minimize exposure to dust, fumes, corrosive liquids, sharp edges and other harmful
˙ Identify goals and strategies for increasing the use of recycled and reclaimed material properties.89
materials. ˙ Where appropriate, use laboratory and field tests to determine potential hazards to
˙ Prioritize using affordable, locally available, and dependable materials. workers and to ensure acceptability.
˙ Develop a system to track recycled materials use, performance, lifecycle cost
savings, environmental and economic benefits. Evaluate future recycling, reuse, or disposal of material:
˙ Conduct and evaluate recycled materials pilot projects. ˙ Determine potential applications for recycling or reusing the material at the end of
its service in the current application.
˙ Develop specifications and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAQC) for approved
recycled materials. ˙ Consider disposal requirements and costs.
˙ Conduct research and development to identify new and improved recycled ˙ Ensure that no adverse impacts would result from recycling or disposing of the
materials technologies. material.
Evaluate engineering performance:86 Use full cost accounting to evaluate cost-effectiveness:

˙ Recycled / reclaimed materials should meet or exceed all conventional ˙ Use full cost accounting to determine if using the recycled / reclaimed material in
performance criteria. its application is cost-competitive with conventional materials.
˙ Ensure that existing test methods and criteria are applicable to the proposed ˙ Account for the all intrinsic material costs, including price of extracting and
recycled/reclaimed material. If necessary, develop new tests and evaluation criteria. processing raw material, stockpiling, loading, and transporting.
˙ Consider modifications to the material or application to achieve performance criteria. ˙ Account for installation costs, including design, construction, testing and inspection.
˙ If necessary, supplement laboratory tests with field evaluations. ˙ Account for lifecycle costs, including changes in maintenance requirements and
expected service life.
Evaluate and minimize environmental impact: ˙ Account for environmental costs, including reduced impact from avoided
˙ Ensure that using recycled/reclaimed material in a specific application will not transportation and landfilling.
adversely impact soil, water, air, vegetation health, etc.
˙ If no relevant criteria exist, develop environmental standards for recycled / Establish and enforce quality assurance: Develop and implement application-specific
reclaimed materials and applications. quality assurance criteria for all recycled / reclaimed materials.
˙ Define maximum acceptable contaminant levels in the material. Partner with construction and demolition (C&D) waste processors:
˙ Define maximum acceptable emission or leaching of physical and chemical ˙ Seek to divert waste from City projects to maximize recycling rates and minimize
constituents from the material in its application. vehicular hauling and landfilling.
˙ Where appropriate, use mechanistic leaching tests and application-specific ˙ Regularly inform recycled materials suppliers of potential demand by City agencies,
evaluation of impacts to soil and groundwater.87 including job size, timing, and location.
˙ Develop a recycled construction materials market directory listing companies
85
Guidelines for starting a recycled materials program are based on: Davio, Rebecca. 2000. Lessons Learned: and organizations that collect, process and market these materials. Provide list of
TxDOT’s Efforts to Increase the Use of Recycled Materials. Public Roads. U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration, July. Vol. 64, No.1. http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/julaug00/index.htm (Accessed
acceptable materials from each company or organization.
December, 2003). ˙ Coordinate with building construction efforts.
86
Federal Highway Administration. 1997. Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. 2000. User Guidelines ˙ Make recycled construction materials market directory available on the internet.
for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction. Chapter 21. Evaluation Guidance –General
Framework. FHWA-RD-97-148. U.S. Department of Transportation. FHWA: Washington, D.C.
88
http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/recycle/waste/begin.htm (Accessed December, 2003). Federal Highway Administration. 1997. Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. 2000. User Guidelines
87
The European Union is considering adopting this as standard criteria. Eighmy, T. Taylor, and Holtz, for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction. Chapter 21. Evaluation Guidance – General
Katherine. 2000. Scanning European Advances in the Use of Recycled Materials in Highway Construction. Framework. FHWA-RD-97-148. U.S. Department of Transportation. FHWA: Washington, D.C.
Public Roads. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, July, Vol.64. No.1. http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/recycle/waste/begin.htm (Accessed December, 2003).
89
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/julaug00/index.htm (Accessed December, 2003). Ibid.
90
EXAMPLE II. APPLICATIONS IN ASPHALT CONCRETE

The Sold Waste Division construction webpage for King County, Washington State Reduce the use of virgin asphalt concrete material and redirect waste material from
is a model recycled construction materials market directory. It includes jobsite landfills by using recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) or other recycled materials in
waste guidelines, a waste management plan template, sample waste recycling asphalt concrete.90 Asphalt pavement can be recycled and incorporated into new
specifications, directory of local construction waste recyclers and more. Assistance is pavement using a variety of methods.91 This BMP focuses on hot-mix asphalt (HMA)
offered in the form of presentations to jobsite workers on recycling, site visits to assess recycling, which is the most feasible and commonly used method in New York City.
recycling options and research on recycling options for various materials. Recycled asphalt pavement exhibits similar performance criteria to non-recycled
http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/index.asp mixes in terms of rutting, raveling, weather resistance and fatigue cracking. Many
additional waste materials, such as glass, industrial byproducts, etc, can also be used
in asphalt pavement.
references
California Integrated Waste Management Board
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ BENEFITS
Davio, Rebecca + Significantly reduces costs.92
“Lessons Learned: TxDOT’s Efforts to Increase the Use of Recycled Materials. Public Roads” + Conserves non-renewable petroleum resources and virgin aggregate.
U.S. Department of Transportation + RAP has a longer lifecycle than conventional asphalt.
Federal Highway Administration + Improves water resistance of pavement.
July, Vol. 64, No.1, 2000 + Penetration values of the binder, or relative hardness, are significantly lower and
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/julaug00/index.htm viscosity is much higher.
Eighmy, T. Taylor and Katherine Holtz
“Scanning European Advances in the Use of Recycled Materials in Highway Construction”
Public Roads
LIMITATIONS
U.S. Department of Transportation – Dedicated sources with consistent QAQC must be identified.
Federal Highway Administration – Variations in RAP source and type can cause volumetric swings.93
July, Vol. 64. No.1, 2000 – Stockpiles of milled RAP batches must be kept separate from other materials.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/julaug00/index.htm – Current asphalt plant technology may prohibit extensive use of RAP.
Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Jobs Through Recycling – Area asphalt purchasers may be reluctant to create a strong market for RAP.
˙ An active list server for recycling market development professionals working in state and local – Asphalt handling costs are increased.
government or nonprofit associations.
http://www.epa.gov/jtr/jtrnet/index.htm
˙ Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory. A directory helping businesses, institutions Technical Strategies
and organizations find markets for recyclable materials.
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3312-12387 – ,00.html Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP)
New York Department of Design and Construction The percentage of RAP used in HMA depends on plant technology, RAP aggregate
Office of Sustainable Design gradation, physical binder properties, and gaseous emission regulations. Other factors
Construction and Demolition Waste Manual. include ability to exercise systematic quality control, which is essential to obtaining a
New York: DDC, May 2003 consistent, high-quality pavement containing RAP or recycled products.
http://nyc.gov/html/ddc/html/ddcgreen/reports.html 90
NYC does not use a full-depth asphalt pavement, but typically calls for a 3” asphalt concrete wearing course
on its roads. This mix can incorporate as much as 40% RAP, the limiting factors being plat capabilities and
NY Wa$teMatch
performance. Many commonly available waste products can be diverted back into the materials stream for
http://www.wastematch.org asphalt pavement aggregate, bituminous mix, or mineral filler.
91
US GSA Environmental Strategies and Safety Division Recycling methods include full depth reclamation (FDR), cold-in-place recycling (CIPR), hot-in-place recycling
Construction Waste Management Database (HIPR), and hot-mix asphalt (HMA) recycling.
92
Available at Whole Building Design Guide It is estimated as much as 18% of the costs of HMA production are saved using a mixture containing 40% RAP.
Olson, Roger C., et. al. ‘Minnesota’s Experience in Implementing the Use of Recycled Materials,’ in Beneficial
http://www.wbdg.org/tools/cwm.php?c=6
Use of Recycled Materials in Transportation Applications: Proceedings of the Recycled Materials Resource
Center Held in Arlington, VA 13-15 November 2001, (Sewickly, PA: Air & Waste Management Association), 82.
93
Ibid.
91
After the existing pavement is milled and removed from the site, it is crushed down ˙ The mixing time for a drum-mix plant must be adequate to achieve an intimate
to its original components of bituminous binder and clean aggregate. Milled asphalt blending of the new and reclaimed materials and a complete coating of all
may be stockpiled until an appropriate use for it is identified. Once a RAP stockpile aggregate particles.
has been approved for use, the stockpile shall be dedicated solely to that use and
no further RAP may be added to the stockpile. A series of tests are conducted and Properly stockpile RAP:
results of these tests are used to design an appropriate asphalt concrete blend of RAP ˙ Separate stockpiles of milled RAP from one another, since millings from different
and virgin material. projects will have different aggregate quality and size, affecting mix consistency.
˙ Store RAP in conical – not horizontal – stockpiles, to prevent re-agglomeration.
Evaluate RAP material properties: ˙ Regularly monitor the stockpile for moisture content, gradation, and bituminous
˙ Obtain cooperation from C&D waste yards, recyclers, asphalt plants and contractors. content.
˙ Ensure RAP meets specified parameters:
˙ Adequate material properties. Consider hot-in-place recycling (HIPR): HIPR eliminates costs associated with transporting,
˙ Gradation requirements. processing, and stockpiling RAP by recycling it on-site. Conduct research and
˙ Viscosity and penetration requirements. development to seek out HIPR technology that could be used successfully in NYC
˙ Binder stiffness. and overcomes the following limitations:
˙ Stability and flow requirements. ˙ Pavement reconditioning is limited to shallow depth with HIPR.
˙ Air void requirements. ˙ There is no opportunity to make significant changes to the mix.
˙ Mixes incorporating less than 20% RAP do not require a change in asphalt grade ˙ Pavement with irregular patching (i.e. utility cuts) are not suitable for HIPR.
as defined by ASTM.94 ˙ Regulations prohibiting the use of propane frequently prohibit this type of street
˙ For mixes incorporating more than 20% RAP, incorporate a recycling or construction.
rejuvenating agent to compensate for increased binder viscosity.95 Miscellaneous Recycled Products for Asphalt Concrete
˙ Follow conventional HMA methods for placement.
Consider air-cooled blast furnace slag (ACBFS): Referred to simply as ‘slag’ in many
Consider RAP hot mixing plant requirements:96 specifications, ACBFS is a by-product of iron manufacture that can be crushed and
˙ Do not expose RAP to high temperatures in excess of 800 degrees Fahrenheit, as screened and then used as asphalt concrete aggregate.
that can result in excessive hydrocarbon emissions. Modifications can be made to ˙ ACBFS offers advantages over conventional aggregate because it weighs less
existing asphalt plants, which typically mix asphalt at 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. and it improves pavement stability, frictional properties, resistance to rutting, and
resistance to stripping.
Consider batch plant requirements: RAP substitution rates are limited in batch plants by the ˙ ACBFS is porous and may absorb as much as 3% more asphalt cement than non-
heat capacity of the plant, resulting in permissible substitution rates of 10 to 30%. porous aggregates.
˙ The batch plant’s dryer may have to be operated at temperatures higher than with ˙ Use ASTM and AASHTO requirements for conventional asphalt components when
all new materials. Modifications to the dryer and the dust collection system may be using ACBFS.
necessary to prevent damage. ˙ Use only Ferrous metal slags. Avoid Nonferrous slags – including processed air-
˙ Batch Plants require an additional metering device and proportioning method for cooled and granulated copper, nickel, and phosphorus slags – since they have poor
adding RAP to superheated virgin aggregate. skid resistance due to vitreous qualities.
Consider drum plant requirements: RAP substitution rates in drum plants should be Consider mineral processing wastes: Called ‘ore tailings’ in New York City’s asphalt
limited to 50% due to hydrocarbon emission limitations.97 specification, mineral processing wastes are waste rock derived from ore processing
˙ Drum plants require an additional metering device and proportioning method for sources, and are currently permissible for use as coarse aggregate.98
adding RAP to the dryer-mixer in a way that does not damage the RAP. Elevated ˙ Use mineral processing waste from local iron ore waste rock source.
levels of moisture in this mix must be compensated for.
94
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. 2000. User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Consider fly ash as mineral filler in HMA: Utilize fly ash to achieve asphalt concrete mixtures
Pavement Construction. Chapter 21. Evaluation Guidance – General Framework. FHWA-RD-97-148. U.S. that exhibit design properties comparable to those containing conventional fillers.
Department of Transportation. FHWA: Washington, D.C. http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/recycle/waste/rap132.htm 98
95
Ore tailings have been used in asphalt in New York since 1930, as iron ore tailings are typically trap rock or
Recycling and rejuvenating agents are derived from petroleum extracts and either take the form of soft granite, both of which are of excellent quality.
asphalt, napthenic oils and paraffinic oils.
96
http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/recycle/waste/rap132.htm
97
Ibid.
92
Consider recycled concrete aggregate (RCA): Substitute percentage of virgin coarse asphalt
concrete aggregate with RCA.
references
˙ RCA is commonly used in asphalt concrete in regions where virgin aggregate is Asphalt Institute
not plentiful. http://www.asphaltinstitute.org
˙ RCA exhibits a porosity similar to ACBFS, but may also absorb more asphalt Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association (ARRA)
cement than non-porous aggregates. http://www.arra.org
˙ Standard asphalt milling/recycling operations may not be possible in asphalt
concrete containing RCA aggregates. Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction
Consider ‘glasphalt’ and asphalt-rubber: Asphalt concrete incorporating glass cullet as
(Comprehensive information and guidelines regarding RAP, ACBFS,
fine aggregate (glasphalt) and asphalt-rubber were attempted in New York City
Mineral Processing Wastes, Fly Ash, Glass Cullet and Asphalt-rubber
but discontinued for performance problems and issues related to milling asphalt applications in asphalt concrete, and comprehensive
containing recycled material. However, both materials have benefits that make report and guidelines for using RCA in PCC.)
emerging technologies worth considering. FHWA-RD-97-148
˙ Glass cullet has a strong continuous market supply in New York City and has some http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/recycle/waste/begin.htm
performance benefits. However, exposed glass embedded in asphalt or concrete
National Asphalt Pavement Association
can crack under impact from sharp objects.
˙ Asphalt-rubber friction courses reduce traffic noise by between 65-85%, increase
pavement lifecycle, and help resist rutting, raveling and cracking. National Center for Asphalt Technology
˙ Standard asphalt milling/recycling operations may not be possible with asphalt http://www.eng.auburn.edu/center/ncat
concrete incorporating these two materials. Worker health and safety may be New York City Department of Transportation
affected during milling operations, due to fine particles of glass. More research is Telephone Interview by authors
needed in this area. September 20, 2004
Written notes
EXAMPLE
Almost all asphalt milled from New York City roadway reconstruction and resurfacing
jobs is recycled or reused as wearing courses, temporary asphalt, base or sub-
base material. Although there are no requirements mandating contractors to
recycle asphalt, City and private asphalt plants typically mill and recycle or reuse
as much RAP as the market demands because of cost savings and prohibitions
against dumping un-separated material. Non-recyclable material is transported to
the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island for use as temporary cover. An incremental
environmental improvement would be to redirect this asphalt to private asphalt
recyclers. An increase in the allowable percentage of RAP would stimulate this
market opportunity.
From 1990 to 1995, the NYC DOT used approximately 250,000 tons of glass cullet
in roadway resurfacing projects. To date, this is by far the most aggressive glasphalt
program implemented in the region.
Orlando, Florida is using one-pass HIPR on its streets, and reports that it helps
reduce traffic delays caused by lane closures, and saves money.99
99
‘Orlando Recycles its Way to the Top.’ Better Roads, July 2003.
93
III. APPLICATIONS IN PCC AGGREGATE TECHNICAL STRATEGIES

Use recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) – a coarse granular material – in the Aggregates comprise around 80-85% of concrete mixtures by mass and between
Portland cement concrete aggregate to reduce the use of virgin aggregate, minimize 60-65% by volume, and aggregates have a significant impact on the properties and
environmental impact, and redirect waste material from landfills. Currently, City performance of concrete in both the plastic and hardened state. It has been noted
specifications do not differentiate between recycled and conventional aggregate. that RCA has relatively high QAQC demands; at least one U.S. state discontinued
As long as the RCA meets gradation requirements, passes the tests required by use of RCA because of problems with dry mixtures resulting from poor QAQC, limited
specification, and is clean and free of foreign matter, it can be used at the discretion construction inspection capabilities, and poor expertise. Construction agencies often
of the resident engineer on site.100 forgo the process of developing specifications for use of RCA in PCC in favor of simply
creating conditions that allow for its use. However, the following parameters could
guide in the development of a specification for the use of RCA as a coarse aggregate
BENEFITS in PCC.
+ Using site-processed RCA is significantly cheaper than new aggregate hauled to the
site, especially for large projects. Consider grading and proportions: Cementing material and water requirements,
+ RCA’s durability and soundness properties meet or exceed those of virgin workability, pumpability, economy, porosity, shrinkage and durability are all affected
aggregate. by these three factors:
+ Concrete with RCA has good resistance to freeze-thaw exposure. ˙ Minimize void spaces in concrete by properly grading RCA and proportioning
+ Standard methods and equipment can be used to process RCA concrete mixes. different sizes in the mix.
+ Reduces material, transportation and landfill costs. ˙ Follow same gradation requirements as for natural aggregate materials.
+ Exhibits beneficial engineering performance and provides overall cost savings to ˙ Consider using RCA as the sole coarse aggregate or combining it with other
projects.101 aggregates to obtain optimal mix properties.
Evaluate physical properties of RCA: Conduct tests measuring compliance with AASHTO
LIMITATIONS and ASTM particle strength requirements, soundness (freeze-thaw) limitations, and
potential freeze-thaw cycling of the aggregate (D-cracking). Special consideration
– Using a high percentage of RCA may require excessive amounts of water to should be taken when evaluating the following properties of RCA:
maintain workability, reducing concrete quality.
– Impurities may lead to inconsistent or reduced strength and durability. Evaluate aggregate shape:
– Freeze-thaw expansion of large aggregate can result in cracking. ˙ Develop standards for particle size and shape in specifications.
– Free lime from unhydrated cement may increase pH of soil, affecting vegetation ˙ Avoid flat or elongated particles, since they may reduce mix strength. Angular
and tree health. shaped aggregates are preferable though they may reduce workability.
– Metal reinforcement may be difficult to remove during reprocessing.
– Appropriate test procedures for RCA applications are not standardized. Evaluate absorptivity: RCA is typically reclaimed from air-entrained concrete, meaning
– Performance-based specifications for RCA do not exist. void contents may be as high as 9-11%. This results in a porous type, or ‘thirsty’
aggregate that will be highly water consumptive if preventative steps are not taken.102
Additionally, there may still be unhydrated (and highly absorptive) cement mortar
adhering to the RCA, which could further aggravate high absorption problems.
Entities currently using RCA make the following recommendations for mitigating high
100
A number of obstacles to the use of RCA exist. Where RCA is used, excavated concrete is typically hauled absorptivity:
to a central facility for stockpiling, processing, and crushing, screening and metal recovery operations. ˙ Eliminate the fine portion to reduce absorptivity.
For it to be worthwhile for processors to separate, grade and wash RCA to meet requirements, there must
be sufficient demand. In regions where virgin aggregate is rare or nonexistent, such as Texas, RCA has
˙ Require coarse RCA to be wetted to the saturated dry surface condition prior to
been used successfully in PCC concrete pavement for many years. In New York, however, where demand mixing, ensuring aggregate pores are filled with water before mixing and eliminating
for post-demolition material is low, RCA is harder to move out of the recycling yards and back into the additional water demand.
construction materials stream, making it difficult for the C&D recycler offer tipping fees lower than the
landfills. Additionally, RCA must be ‘handled,’ that is, subjected to a series of Quality Assurance (QA) tests,
˙ Sprinkle stockpiles to eliminate excessive water demand.
thus making it less attractive than the readily available simple source.
101
FHWA Pavement Technology Recycled Concrete Aggregate Federal Highway Administration National Review
– Summary of California Recycled Concrete Aggregate Review.
102
Available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/rca.htm (Accessed August 2004) Jason Harrington, FHWA. Telephone Interview by author. August 5, 2004. Written notes.
94
Evaluate alkali-silica reactivity (ASR): Siliceous materials in the RCA have the potential to
react with alkaline pore water, resulting in an expansive gel that causes the concrete
IV. APPLICATIONS IN PCC Cementitious Material
to crack and deteriorate. Use supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) – granulated blast furnace slag
˙ Conduct tests to measure the potential reactivity of RCA and conventional (GGBFS) or coal fly ash – in Portland cement concrete to reduce the use of Portland
aggregates, and to ensure that ASR will not be a problem. cement, reduce environmental impact, and redirect waste material from landfills.105
˙ Consider using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as fly ash and
SCMs are industrial by-products that would otherwise have to be disposed of
slag, to control ASR in PCC, resulting in a more stable mix design than conventional
in landfills, providing cost savings to concrete manufacturers and reducing
materials yield.
environmental impact caused by averting disposal. SCMs are typically pozzolans,
Minimize deleterious substances: Avoid clay lumps, friable particles, shale, chert, and or finely divided siliceous/aluminous materials that hydraulically react with calcium
other materials that could affect the chemical and volumetric stability, and weathering hydroxide to produce cementitious compounds. Because of their fineness and
resistance of the concrete. spherical shape, SCMs produce a concrete with several performance advantages
over conventional Portland cement concrete in certain applications and conditions,
Consider expert recommendations: extending the life cycle of the concrete.
˙ Perform a series of strength tests as introductory measures.
˙ Pilot-use of RCA in locations where risk is minimal and performance potential is high.
BENEFITS
EXAMPLE + Reduces embodied energy of concrete.
+ Expands production capacity.
In the City of Los Angeles, RCA is allowed to be used in concrete to a maximum of + Reduces emission of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.
30% by weight of total aggregate.103 The City of San Francisco is currently using + Reduces costs.
RCA in flatwork concrete, i.e. in sidewalks, curbs, gutters and street base. The Texas + Reduces fuel consumption.
Department of Transportation is currently using 100% recycled concrete coarse + Enhances concrete properties in certain applications.
aggregate in some pavement designs.104 + Reduces the environmental impact of Portland cement mining operations by
decreasing demand.106
references + Increases pavement albedo, helping to reduce urban heat island effect.
+ Avoids exploitation of non-renewable resources used in Portland cement.
Federal Highway Administration, Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
“Recycled Concrete Study Identifies Current Uses, Best Practices”
FOCUS – April 2004 LIMITATIONS
http://www.tfhrc.gov/focus/apr04/01.htm
– Properties of SCMs can vary.
_____ − Some SCMs increase concrete set time, which could delay construction and
User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction prolong right-of-way disruption.
Comprehensive report and guidelines for using RCA in PCC. FHWA-RD-97-148 − Transportation and storage costs may be high.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/recycle/waste/begin.htm − Future reliable source of material is questionable.
Kelly, Thomas
“Crushed Cement Concrete Substitution for Construction Aggregates – A Materials Flow Analysis”
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1177
http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1998/c1177/
Recycled Materials Resource Center
“Sample specification for use of RCA as coarse aggregate in PCC”
http://www.rmrc.unh.edu/Research/Rprojects/Project13/Specs/rcpc/p13RCPC.asp 105
Although fly ash has been used as an SCM in the United States since the construction of the Hoover Dam in
1929, approximately two-thirds of the 68 million tons produced annually still gets dumped into landfills. The
103 remaining 22 million tons finds its way into engineering applications, primarily SCM in cement production
FHWA Pavement Technology Recycled Concrete Aggregate Federal Highway Administration National Review
– Summary of California Recycled Concrete Aggregate Review. (13.4 million tons). The City of Seattle and the State of Texas provide for the inclusion of fly ash in their
Available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/rca.htm (Accessed August 2004) specifications.
104 106
Jason Harrington, FHWA. Telephone interview by author. August 5, 2004. Written notes. Common complaints regarding mines include noise and visual impact, water and air pollution.
95
TECHNICAL STRATEGIES Consider the limiting properties of using coal fly ash in PCC:
˙ Slower early strength development has been attributed to concretes incorporating
fly ash. This is confirmed for Class F fly ash, however, some studies have shown
Coal Fly Ash that some Class C fly ashes are as effective as Portland cement in developing
Coal fly ash is a fine, glassy residue recovered from exhaust gases that are generated early strength.
from coal combustion power plants.107 Two classifications of fly ash exist, based on ˙ Chemical admixtures, known as accelerators, may be necessary to achieve higher
chemical composition: Class C contains over 20% calcium oxide (lime) and is referred early strength.109
to as high calcium fly ash, whereas Class F contains less than 10% CaO and is ˙ Heat of hydration is reduced making cold-weather concreting more difficult.
referred to as low calcium fly ash. When fly ash is added as an SCM during concrete ˙ Air entrainment can be difficult in certain fly ashes due to their fineness, improved
mixing, it typically replaces between 15 to 35%, with substitution ratios for fly ash to workability, and the presence of additional carbon.
Portland cement ranging between 1:1 and 1.5:1 by weight. Concrete incorporating ˙ Consolidated Edison does not allow fly-ash in concrete for electric vaults where
more than 30% fly ash is known as high volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC). Few states drilling may need to be done.
or cities allow this substitution rate. However, according to the FHWA, HVFAC has
proven in field tests to improve concrete performance beyond conventional concrete Consider blended cement incorporating coal fly ash: Coal fly ash can be interground with
and at lower costs. However, high range water reducers must be used to achieve Portland cement clinker and other typical cement components, to produce a mixture
adequate early strength. known as blended cement. ASTM C595 defines two blended cement products in
which fly ash has been added:
New York City currently uses ASTM C 150, ‘Standard Specification for Portland ˙ Portland-pozzolan cement (Type IP), containing 15 to 40% pozzolan.
Cement’ for its cement specifications, which is recommended by the EPA’s ˙ Pozzolan modified Portland cement (Type I-PM), containing less than 15% pozzolan.
Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Cement and Concrete Containing
Recovered Materials.108 There are currently separate provisions for fly ash in the New Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS)
York State DOT standard specifications for PCC pavement. Blast furnace slag is a nonmetallic industrial by-product of the production of iron.
Consider the beneficial properties of using coal fly ash in PCC: Primarily composed of silicates, aluminosilicates and calcium-alumina-silicates,
˙ Water demand is decreased in direct proportion to the amount of fly ash added to the majority of blast furnace slag is either air-cooled or foamed. A third type of
the mix. blast furnace slag is granulated and ground into a very fine material with strong
cementitious properties when activated by free lime. Ground granulated blast furnace
˙ Workability is improved by virtue of the spherical shape of fly ash particles.
slag (GGBFS) has been blended into Portland cements since the latter part of the
˙ Pumpability is improved by minimizing frictional losses.
19th Century, and in 1950 was made available as a SCM in its own right.
˙ Strength gain increases over time to an ultimate strength exceeding conventional
mixes, as silica in fly ash reacts with lime and alkali in concrete to produce Specify use of GGBFS: Because of resistance to new materials and misconceptions that
additional cementitious compounds. GGBFS is a waste material, the EPA recommends including specific provisions in
˙ Fly ash can mitigate alkali-silica reactivity (ASR), or the tendency of alkaline pore construction contract documents for the use of GGBFS, when appropriate.
water to react with siliceous aggregates and cause expansive cracking. The alkali
that could potentially cause this cracking reacts instead with fly ash to produce Consider the beneficial properties of GGBFS in PCC:
additional cementitious compounds. This property of fly ash permits the inclusion ˙ Increases pavement albedo, helping to decrease urban heat island effect.
of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), which may otherwise cause ASR. ˙ Improves workability because of lower relative density and increased paste volume.
˙ Permeability is decreased by the additional cementitious compounds and by the ˙ Decreases water demand because of lower relative density.
reduction in water content. Corrosion is decreased as well. ˙ Improves resistance to alkalis and sulfates.
˙ Cost benefits from using fly ash rather than Portland cement can be realized ˙ Potentially enables higher flexural strength because the shape and surface texture
immediately and will accrue as the market for fly ash grows. of the slag particles create stronger bonds in the concrete matrix.
˙ Inclusion of fly ash in New York City concrete flatwork or other exposed concrete ˙ Freeze-thaw performance is excellent with concrete containing 25 to 65% percent
can help mitigate the heat island effect. Higher albedo, or increased reflectivity, can GGBFS. Durability factors of 91% have been reported.110
be achieved with fly ash because of its light color. ˙ Non-corrosive to metals.
109
In Canada, Class C fly ash is used in ‘high-early strength’ concrete, which is designed to gain strength rapidly
107
Around 68 Million tons of coal fly ash are landfilled annually. enough to allow the road to be open for traffic just four hours after placement.
108 110
Environmental Protection Agency. Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines, Cement and Concrete Federal Highway Administration. Available at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/materialsgrp/ggbfs.htm
Specifications. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/cpg/products/cemspecs.htm#state (Accessed October 2004) (Accessed July 2005)
96
Consider the limiting properties of GGBFS in PCC: _____

˙ Salt scaling resistance may decrease with substitution rates greater than 25%. Optimization of Fly Ash Content in Concrete
˙ Could slow down strength gain times. Schedule pavement construction accordingly. Ontario: National Research Council Canada Materials Technology Laboratory
˙ May require water-reducing accelerators to achieve fast set time. 2002
˙ GGBFS grade should be limited to grades 100 and 120 (grades are designated in City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities
ASTM C 989-82). Grade 80 does not provide an adequate compressive strength. “Concrete Mixes Incorporating Fly Ash”
Standard Specification for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction
Consider blended cement incorporating GGBFS: Blended cement incorporating GGBFS is http://www2.cityofseattle.net/util/engineering/ArticleView.asp?ArticleID=9-23.9#9-23.9
defined by ASTM C595 in two parts:
˙ Slag-modified Portland cement, containing less than 25% slag. Federal Highway Administration
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
˙ Portland blast-furnace slag cement, containing between 25 and 70% slag.
Comprehensive information and guidelines regarding Fly Ash and Blast Furnace
EXAMPLEs Slag use in Portland cement concrete
FHWA-RD-97-148
AirTran JFK, a new transit system linking New York City’s John F. Kennedy http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/recycle/waste/begin.htm
International Airport with the subway and bus, substitutes as much as 30% GGBFS
Illinois Department of Transportation
for Portland cement in its cast-in-place columns and up to 40% in precast segments.
Utilization of Recycled Materials in Illinois Highway Construction
New York City is saving money and improving quality by substituting 20% GGBFS Springfield, Illinois: Illinois DOT, 2002
for Portland cement in concrete flatwork in the second phase of construction of the Available at
Gateway Estates Development in Brooklyn. Opportunities to increase this proportion http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/rec17007.htm
will be explored in future phases. Slag Cement Association
http://www.slagcement.org
references Standard Practice ACI 226.R1
Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace
American Coal Ash Association Slag as a Cementitious Constituent in Concrete
http://www.acaa-usa.org/
United States Geological Survey
____ Statistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of minerals and
Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers materials into and out of the U.S. Contains information on origins, use, and volumes of SCMs.
Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/
2003
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/fatoc.htm
ASTM C 618
Standard Specification for Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
Natural Pozzolan for Uses as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete
ASTM C 311
Standard Methods of Sampling and Testing Fly Ash and
Natural Pozzolans for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete
ASTM C 989
Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete Mortars
Bouzoubaâ, N., and B. Fournier
Current Situation of SCMs in Canada
Ontario: National Research Council Canada Materials Technology Laboratory
2004
97
V. APPLICATIONS IN PAVEMENT SUB-BASE Consider limitations of using RCA in the sub-base: The following adverse effects can be
prevented by washing RCA aggregates to remove dust from the particle surface:
Use recycled or reclaimed products in pavement sub-base layer to minimize ˙ Alkaline leachate may occur if there is free lime and/or unhydrated cement, raising
construction waste in landfills and to improve pavement performance. New York the pH of adjacent soil and water and potentially harming plants and trees. Alkaline
City’s roads are built over a very large land area with varying soil conditions and traffic leachate is a particular concern in New York City because it has the potential to
requirements. A sub-base layer is typically incorporated in all of them, whether they cause chlorosis in street trees.
are on good quality soil or on poor quality landfill. The sub-base layer is an essential ˙ Consider using high alkaline plants if leaching is possible.
component of a pavement built on poor quality soil, but it is also typically used in the ˙ Leachates may form precipitates that clog geotextiles and prevent free drainage
construction of pavements on adequate soil, as it can prolong its service life. from the pavement structure.
Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP)

BENEFITS RAP, which is plentiful in the City, can be crushed and blended with conventional
+ Enhances overall pavement performance. aggregates for use as coarse and/or fine aggregate in the pavement sub-base layer.
+ In many applications, performs better than conventional materials.
Consider benefits of using RAP in the sub-base:
˙ Adhesive presence of asphalt results in a better bearing capacity over time.
LIMITATIONS ˙ Drainage is better and sub-base is more permeable than conventional granular
– Leaching of pollutants or free lime may occur with certain industrial by-products, sub-base because of lower fines content.
making them an undesirable sub-base material.
Consider limitations of using RAP in the sub-base:
– Quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) may be difficult to implement.
˙ Grinding or pulverizing (rather than crushing) may result in the generation of
undesirable fines.
TECHNICAL STRATEGIES ˙ Adhesiveness of asphalt can make placement and finish grading difficult.
˙ Adequate compaction must be ensured to avoid post-construction densification.
With the exception of ‘broken asphalt,’ the NYC DOT permits the use of waste
materials. The NYC DOT sub-base specifications make allowances for the use of ˙ Pre- and post-blending stockpiled aggregate can experience agglomeration and
blast furnace slag, mechanically-crushed recycled concrete, and waste glass. Current hardening, and may have to be recrushed and rescreened.
and future opportunities to increase the use of recycled or reclaimed products in the Consider moisture content when using RAP:
pavement sub-base layer include the following: ˙ The optimum moisture content for RAP blended aggregates is reported to be higher
Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) than for conventional granular material.
Use of RCA is particularly advantageous in metropolitan areas such as New York City, Air-Cooled Blast Furnace Slag (ACBFS)
where sources of waste concrete are plentiful, landfill space is at a premium, disposal Referred to simply as ‘slag’ in many specifications, ACBFS is a by-product of iron
costs are extremely high, and the need for good quality engineered aggregate exists. manufacture that is crushed and screened and then used as a sub-base material.
New York City does not limit percentage used in its specifications. New York City does not limit the percentage of ACBFS use in its specifications.
Consider benefits of using RCA in the sub-base: ˙ Use conventional design procedures for bases containing ACBFS.
˙ Can stabilize soft, wet soils early in construction by virtue of the porosity of Consider the beneficial properties of using ACBFS in the sub-base:
aggregates. ˙ Lower compacted unit weight of ACBFS aggregate yields greater volume for a
˙ RCA derived from air-entrained concrete has double the absorptivity of virgin weight equivalent to conventional aggregates.
aggregates. ˙ High level of stability of ACBFS aggregates provides good load transfer even when
˙ Drainage is better and sub-base is more permeable than conventional granular placed on weak sub-grade.
sub-base because of lower fines content.
˙ RCA used in sub-base layer exhibits beneficial engineering performance and Consider the limiting properties of using ACBFS in the sub-base:
provides overall cost savings to projects. ˙ Adequate separation from water must be maintained. When ACBFS is placed
in strata with poor drainage conditions or with exposure to slow-moving water,
sulfurous leachates are possible.
98
Use Glass Cullet VI. NON-PAVEMENT APPLICATIONS

Since there is a reliable, dedicated supply of recycled glass and ceramics in NYC, Use recycled, reclaimed or renewable materials whenever possible in miscellaneous
consider use in sub-base applications. When crushed to a fine aggregate size, glass infrastructure applications. The following are examples of opportunities in non-
cullet exhibits properties similar to conventional fine aggregates or sand. pavement applications.
˙ Consider opportunities to recover other vitreous products, such as porcelain toilets.
˙ AASHTO makes provisions for 5% inclusion (by mass) of ceramics in its standard Pipe Bedding
specification for glass cullet use. Water mains in the City are typically bedded on a bed of gravel or broken stone.
Consider the beneficial properties of using glass cullet in the sub-base: However, there is ample opportunity to replace these materials – which must be
˙ High level of stability in 15% additions of glass cullet were observed, yielding mined, engineered, and trucked into the City – with materials diverted from the
bearing capacities nearly equal to conventional aggregate. City’s waste stream. Materials appropriate for recycling as pipe bedding include the
following:
Consider the limiting properties of using glass cullet in the sub-base:
˙ Poor durability is exhibited by large particles. The use of glass cullet for coarse Consider using glass cullet: The results suggest that as long as glass cullet meets
aggregate is not recommended. the AASHTO No. 10 (or No.8) classifications, its strength characteristics and
overall engineering performance will be comparable to, or exceed those of, natural
˙ Recommended limit is 20% by mass for glass cullet, as performance of sub-base
aggregates of the same gradation, regardless of the actual processing procedure
layers containing more than 20% is not known.
(i.e., quarry crushing equipment versus recycling center operations).112
˙ Deleterious substances such as labels and food residue must be controlled at
Benefits include:
the materials recovery facility. It is recommended that deleterious substances be
˙ Offsets the cost of sophisticated crushing machines.
limited to 1% by mass, of which no more than 0.05% is paper.
˙ Offsets the cost of hauling aggregate into the City.
˙ Glass cullet is hydrophobic.
EXAMPLEs
Consider using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA): RCA is frequently used as pipe bedding
Caltrans reported to the FHWA that RCA used in sub-base (and base) layer has a by a number of entities. King County, Washington used RCA obtained from existing
beneficial engineering performance and provides overall cost savings to projects. paved areas and building slabs, and reported the following benefits:
The Gateway Estates Development in Brooklyn is utilizing asphalt millings, stockpiled ˙ Performance is good. .
in a DOT yard adjacent to the site, in the sub-base pavement layer. ˙ Cost is reduced due to elimination of new material cost, disposal and trucking fees.
˙ Aggregate stays drier.
references Pipe Substructure
Federal Highway Administration Occasionally soil conditions or other factors require placement of the water pipe on
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
concrete saddles or on a reinforced concrete mat. Pipe valves must be placed in
valve boxes or chambers, depending on size. Appurtenances to these systems such
Comprehensive information and guidelines regarding recycled material applications in the sub-base layer
FHWA-RD-97-148 as fire hydrants and manholes require slab footings and other supporting structure.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/recycle/waste/begin.htm Any water or sewer main failure has serious environmental implications, and for this
reason supporting structures are typically designed to extreme performance standards
King County, Washington and often use more material. Rediversion of material from the waste stream back into
State Environmental Purchasing Program the construction materials stream would soften the environmental impact of building
“Construction and Landscaping Materials”
concrete infrastructure elements with such demanding performance standards.
http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/concrete.htm
Recycled Materials Resource Center Consider using supplementary cementitious materials(SCMs): Consider ground granulated
“Sample specification for Glass Cullet Use for Soil-Aggregate Base Course” blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and fly ash, where appropriate (see PA.6, part IV).
http://www.rmrc.unh.edu/Research/Rprojects/Project13/Specs/GCSABC/finalglassculletspec-aashto.pdf ˙ GGBFS is non-corrosive to metal pipes and appurtenances.
112
PennDOT Partners with Private Industry to Determine Select Properties of Glass Cullet.
Accessible at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/Market/penndot_glass.pdf
99
˙ Some studies show fly ash to be corrosive to metals. Fly ash should not be used
anywhere near metal pipe or appurtenances.
Recycled-Content / Biobased Filter Fabric

Filter fabric is required in water main trenches to prevent migration of fines and
prevent deformation of the bedding material under loading. It must be permeable
enough to not limit flow of water between strata, and must also have the tensile
strength required to resist loading from traffic.
Consider using recycled concrete filter fabric:

˙ Specify filter fabric with maximum available post-consumer recycled content.
˙ 100% recycled polypropylene filter fabric from the post-industrial waste stream is
available (NYC currently specifies polypropylene filter fabric ‘or approved equal,’
but does not specify recycled content requirements).
˙ 100% recycled P.E.T. (primarily soda bottles) filter fabric from the post-consumer
waste stream is available.
Consider using biobased filter fabric:

˙ Consider filter fabrics made from biodegradable materials, such as jute, for
construction projects requiring temporary erosion control and stabilization.
˙ Jute has a negligible environmental impact, is biodegradable, and fosters growth
of vegetation.
˙ Natural geotextiles are cheaper than synthetic geotextiles.
EXAMPLEs
King County, Washington State, achieved a cost savings of $2 per ton of delivered
pipe bedding by using glass cullet ($20 per ton delivered) versus pea gravel ($22 per
ton). For full evaluation, see http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/swpglsag.htm
Recycled porcelain sinks and toilets have been successfully used by Minnesota,
Seattle, California, and Pennsylvania in a number of applications as a replacement
for virgin aggregate fill material. The State of California found crushed porcelain either
exceeds or meets requirements for concrete aggregates.113
References
Biofence
http://www.biofence.com
113
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Use of Waste Materials in Pavement Construction. ETL 1110-3-503.
Accessible at http://www.usace.army.mil/publications/eng-tech-ltrs/etl1110-3-503/a-b.pdf
(Accessed October 2004)
100
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ PAVEMENT
PAVEMENT
101
UTILITY
UI.1 Minimize Impact of Utility Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
UI.2 Improve Restoration of Utility Cut Trenches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
UI.3 Coordinate Utility Infrastructure for Easy Access and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 108
UI.4 Use Trenchless Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ UTILITY ˙ UI.1 MINIMIZE IMPACT OF UTILITY WORK
UI.1
Executing work on private utilities usually requires fully or partially closing the road,
making a cut in the pavement, and excavating a trench around the utility. This activity
exacts considerable environmental, social and economic costs. Presently, New York
MINIMIZE IMPACT City bears the total cost of maintaining and restoring utility cut-associated pavement
failures, as well as other indirect social and environmental costs stemming from
OF UTILITY WORK
private utility construction.
Another significant complication is that construction delays and work stoppages are
often caused by inadequate data and coordination between private utilities and the
City. Although the private utilities are responsible for having accurate data on the
OBJECTIVE condition and exact location of their infrastructure, this information is often incorrect
Implement administrative, regulatory and financial mechanisms to reduce the or fails to account for actual subsurface conditions. Despite the City’s effort to
frequency and impact of right-of-way construction by private utilities, minimize delays coordinate its sub-grade work with private utilities prior to construction (see ‘alignment
and work stoppages, improve coordination, and reduce pavement deterioration. meetings’ in the Part Two), unanticipated interferences are not uncommon.
Negotiating these interferences is often difficult and results in unnecessary and costly
disruption.
BENEFITS
+ Reduces pavement degradation, improves infrastructure lifecycles, and helps
maintain the value of municipal infrastructure investments.
INTEGRATION
+ Reduces maintenance and rehabilitation costs for the City. ˙ SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities
+ Reduces work stoppages and construction delays. ˙ PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide
+ Minimizes traffic congestion and associated emissions. ˙ UI.2 Improve Restoration of Utility Cut Trenches
+ Reduces air and water pollution, and soil erosion. ˙ UI.3 Coordinate Utility Infrastructure for Easy Access and Maintenance
+ Improves pedestrian and vehicular safety. ˙ UI.4 Use Trenchless Technologies
+ Enhances quality of life. ˙ CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan
+ Reduces comprehensive costs to area residents, workers, and businesses. ˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
+ Improves right-of-way aesthetics. ˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction
LIMITATIONS ˙ CP.6 Use Cleaner Construction Equipment
– Proliferation of private utility companies poses a coordination challenge.

– Private utility companies may initially resist efforts to improve coordination and TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
reduce impact. Employ alternative contracting methods: Encourage contractors to complete work in a
– Costs incurred by utilities may get transferred to ratepayers. timely fashion, reduce costs, and minimize overall disruption to the community.
– Alternative contracting procedures may require the allocation of additional funds. ˙ Give financial incentives for completion of work ahead of the contract schedule.
˙ Impose payment deductions for each day or hour that the contractor goes over
Background the schedule.
˙ Use lane rentals.
In New York City, private utility companies provide essential services including water, ˙ Use A + B bidding.
gas, steam and electricity, as well as communication services including telephone, ˙ Use incentive/disincentive (I/D) clauses.
cable, and fiber optic connections. Since most of this infrastructure is located under ˙ See “Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction” (CP.5) for details.
the City’s streets – and since requests for new technologies or service repair are quite
frequent – private utilities perform the majority of construction and maintenance Employ Joint bidding: Stream-line roadway reconstruction – and reduce environmental,
work that occurs in the public right-of-way, approximately 100,000 utility cuts per social and economic costs – by including private utility work and public work in a
year. If left unchecked, the amount of annual utility cuts could increase significantly common contract that the City bids out.
as infrastructure ages and as multiple service providers enter the New York market. ˙ Conduct pre-engineering of the job. Require private utilities to identify the type,
104
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ UTILITY ˙ UI.1 MINIMIZE IMPACT OF UTILITY WORK
location and quantities of all existing property that may interfere with City work.
˙ Agree to clear methods of payment prior to construction. Determine unit prices for
references
interference-related work to eliminate future disagreements between the contractor American Public Works Website
and utility. http://www.apwa.net/
˙ Require sealed arbitration so that if additional work arises it is negotiated in a one- American Public Works Association Public Works Congress and Exposition
time arbitrated session without impacting construction progress or stopping work. Pavement Degradation: How Other Cities Are Dealing With It
Kansas City, MO: APWA, 2002
Coordinate utility work with scheduled pavement construction and rehabilitation programs: http://www.apwa.net/Documents/About/PET/ROW/Products/Pavement_Degradation.pdf
˙ Utilize additional contract requirements (Section U) applying to work performed in
City of Seattle, Seattle Transportation
the presence of privately owned utility facilities.
Impact of Utility Cuts on Performance of Seattle Streets
Employ utility cut moratoriums: Disallow any excavation or utility cuts for a length of time By Nichols Vellerga and Associates Pavement and Materials Engineers
Seattle: City of Seattle, 2000
– preferably a minimum of five years – after a street has been resurfaced, repaved
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transportation/pdf/final-rpt_Jan31.pdf
or reconstructed. Grant waivers for utility cuts only under emergency circumstances.
Utility cut moratoriums preserve pavement lifecycle, minimize disruption, and reduce Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
long-term costs. An Integrated Approach to Assessment and Evaluation of Municipal Road, Sewer and Water Networks
In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
Employ pavement degradation penalties: Enact provisions that enable the City to recover Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council, 2003
costs from ongoing maintenance of utility cut repairs. http://www.infraguide.ca
˙ Develop a fee schedule based on unit costs of new material, excavation, site Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton
mobilization, design, construction management, and contingencies. Environment and Transportation Department, Impact of Utility Trenching
˙ If possible, include a unit fee for social costs such as disruptions to area and Appurtenances on Pavement Performance in Ottawa-Carleton
businesses, traffic congestion, and public health impacts. By Stephen Q.S. Lee and Katherine A. Lauter
˙ Grant waivers if the utility company employs trenchless construction methods or Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, 1999
agrees to coordinate its work with City roadway work. http://www.apwa.net/documents/organization/Lee_Lauter2_Apr00.pdf
Give incentives or require private utilities to upgrade infrastructure during road reconstruction.
exampleS
A number of cities on the west coast – including Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Bakersfield, and Seattle – charge utility cut fees to recover a portion of the cost of
long-term damage to pavements. Utility cut fees are typically expressed in dollars
per square foot or dollars per linear foot, and are based on the age and condition
of the pavement. In these cities, prices range from under a dollar to nearly $20 per
square foot.
Los Angeles imposes a one-year non-emergency utility cut moratorium on newly

paved city streets. Ottawa, Canada imposes three-year moratoriums. New York City is
authorized by New York State’s ‘Coordinated Construction Act for Lower Manhattan’ to
employ joint bidding on infrastructure projects where speed of construction is crucial
to the downtown recovery effort.
105
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ UTILITY ˙ UI.2 IMPROVE RESTORATION OF UTILITY CUT TRENCHES
UI.2
Utility trench restoration is usually performed by the private utilities or contractors that
made the cut. Although the City establishes standards for repair, these standards are
often undermined by hasty construction practices or ignored because the procedure
IMPROVE RESTORATION is more costly and time consuming for contractors. Compaction requirements are
rarely met and cuts are performed incorrectly. This best management practice
OF UTILITY CUT TRENCHES

examines different trench restoration techniques and advocates for future research
and testing. It also calls for increased quality control and standards enforcement; the
increased cost is justified by the benefits of more durable pavement restoration.
OBJECTIVE INTEGRATION
Restore utility cuts with the best available technology to minimize pavement ˙ PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide
damage and lifecycle degradation. Adopt guidelines for utility cut restoration and ˙ PA.6 Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials
management. ˙ UI.1 Minimize Impact of Utility Work
˙ UI.3 Coordinate Utility Infrastructure for Easy Access and Maintenance
BENEFITS ˙
˙
UI.4
CP.5
Use Trenchless Technologies
Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction
+ Reduces pavement degradation and failures.
+ Reduces maintenance and rehabilitation costs for the City.
+ Improves public safety and quality of life. Technical Strategies
+ Reduces environmental impact of right-of-way construction. Develop effective design guidelines for utility cut restoration citywide:
+ Improves right-of-way aesthetics. ˙ Include considerations for a range of traffic conditions and environments.
˙ Present design alternatives whenever possible.
LIMITATIONS ˙ Include complete, comprehensive analyses.
˙ Provide advice based on available construction technology and local expertise.
– Ineffective if contractors fail to comply or perform procedures incorrectly.
– Achieving sufficient compaction of soil under and around utility components is Prevent water intrusion:
difficult. ˙ Use an emulsion-based (tack coat) sealant applied to all exposed joint surfaces.115
– Lack of consensus over best practices for utility cut restoration must be overcome. ˙ Adequately maintain seal and cut.
Ensure adequate compaction of trench backfill to prevent pavement failure:116

Background ˙ Ensure backfill achieves recommended standard density for full depth of excavation.
Each year over 100,000 utility cuts are made in New York City’s streets, taking a ˙ Employ a soil compaction testing device that can measure compaction levels
significant toll on roadway lifecycle and serviceability. The majority of pavement beyond the first two feet below ground surface, continuously along the length,
failures in NYC result from improperly restored utility cuts. Typically, pavement and at or around the walls of the cut. Testing device should be able to log results
strength is reduced in a zone surrounding the utility cut – known as the ‘trench automatically (not manually) in a computerized form.
influence area’ – that extends up to 6 feet beyond the cut location.114 If soil ˙ Use ground-penetrating radar (GPR), which enables mapping of field density along
compaction in the restored trench is inadequate, the trench influence area is likely the trench length and automatically logs data.
to sag or slump over time. Improperly sealed utility cuts exacerbate this problem by ˙ Use a soil compaction meter, which is a buried sensor that determines soil density
allowing water intrusion, which erodes and further weakens sub-grade soil. Fatigue by analyzing sound waves transmitted by the compaction device. A computer
cracking or spalling can eventually occur around the edges of the cut, ultimately console yields automated results.
resulting in pavement failure. The more utility cuts in a pavement, the more likely that ˙ Consider other best-available technologies for measuring compaction.
the pavement will fail. 115
This practice is recommended by industry professionals, and is currently in NYC’s trench restoration detail.
116
A report by the America Public Works Association (APWA) is one of several that cite control of backfill material
and compaction as the most important factor affecting utility cut repair success or failure. Managing Utility
114 Cuts. 1997. American Public Works Association. http://publicworks.nctcog.org/ROW/PDFs/Right_of_Way_
Impact of Utility Cuts on Performance of Seattle Streets. Seattle Transportation, City of Seattle. January 31,
2000. Available at: http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transportation/pdf/final-rpt_Jan31.PDF (Accessed June 2004) Management.pdf (Accessed June 2004)
106
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ UTILITY ˙ UI.2 IMPROVE RESTORATION OF UTILITY CUT TRENCHES
Reuse excavated material during restoration where appropriate: ˙ Take caution when using flowable fill containing waste materials with ductile iron
˙ Backfill utility trenches with uncontaminated existing soil to minimize waste, reduce pipe to avoid corrosion: Encase ductile iron pipes in a polyethylene sleeve when
transportation and disposal costs, and reduce the use of virgin materials. using flowable fill.119
˙ Dispose of contaminated soil appropriately. ˙ Consider the effect of using flowable fill on drainage paths, since flowable fill will
have a different permeability than surrounding soil. Adequate subsurface drainage
Select an appropriate utility cut type: Two common utility cut types are the T-section and must be achieved at the cut location.
the straight section cuts.117 Although T-section cuts are the standard in NYC and ˙ Consider the potential for frost heave due to thermal conductivity120 and frost
other cities, recent studies question the benefits of T-sections.118 As long-term penetration to pipes.
test results for repair performance emerge, the City will be able to judge more ˙ Consider whether the high costs of using flowable fill are justifiable based on job
accurately when and where each technique is appropriate. size, compaction requirements, job complications, etc.
˙ Regardless of cut type, minimize the volume of excavation and pavement removal ˙ Consider future access for maintenance and repair in design.
in the utility cut.
˙ Select excavation and compaction equipment on the basis of ability to minimize
volume of excavation and pavement removal. references
American Concrete Institute (ACI) report ACI229R-94
Use flowable fill, where appropriate, to achieve a high level of compaction: Flowable fill – also
Provides guidance on the percentages of coal fly ash that can be used in
known as controlled low strength materials (CLSM) and controlled density backfill (CDF)
flowable fill mixtures and also provides examples of mix designs.
– is a self compacting and self leveling backfill material used in lieu of compacted fill.
Flowable fill is typically composed of the same materials as cement concrete–water, American Coal Ash Association
sand, and Portland cement with varying quantities of fly ash, fine or coarse aggregates– Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers
and is batched and delivered in a form resembling highly workable concrete. Flowable Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration, 2003
fill can be poured in and around trench repairs and utility conduits like a liquid, but it http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/fatoc.htm
sets up like a solid, resembling a high-quality compacted soil. A principle advantage Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
of using flowable fill is its ease of use: it restores lateral stability to the trench and ‘Speed and Quality of Linear System Repairs’
minimizes pavement damage without requiring extensive quality control. In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council, 2004
Consider the following benefits of using flowable fill: http://www.infraguide.ca
˙ Flowable fill may be a good solution in narrow trenches where adequate National Ready Mixed Concrete Association NRMCA Flowable Fill Pamphlet
compaction is hard to achieve.
˙ Flowable fill may be a good solution in trenches that are close to other utilities, as Todres, Alan
compaction can be achieved without damaging the adjacent utilities. “Utility Cuts in Asphalt Pavement: Best Engineering Practices”
Innovations in Urban Infrastructure, APWA International Public Works Congress
˙ Flowable fill can be used in trenches to replace contaminated soil.
NRCC/CPWA Seminar Series. Kansas City, MO: APWA, 2000
˙ Flowable fill can be engineered to allow for easy removal and manual excavation at http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fulltext/apwa/apwautility.pdf
a later date.
˙ By-products and waste materials can be used in flowable fills, including fly ash, Trejo, David, Kevin J. Folliard, and Lianxiang Du
foundry sand, ground granulated blast furnace slag, wood ash, glass, soil blends, Sustainable Development Using Controlled Low-Strength Material
and others. Beijing: International Workshop on Sustainable Development and Concrete Technology, 2004
http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/sustainable/trejocontrolled.pdf
When using flowable fill, take caution in the following circumstances: Zegal, Morched and El Hussein H. Mohamed.
˙ Avoid using flowable fill in cold weather. Refer to ACI 229R-99. ‘Reinstatement of Utility Cuts: An Innovative Solution to an Old Problem’
117 Innovations in Urban Infrastructure, American Public Works Association International
T-Section (cutback) Repairs extend the pavement cut 6’ to 12’ beyond the boundaries of the trench excavation
for the full length of the trench. Straight section (non-cutback) repairs involve cutting the pavement directly Public Works Congress, NRCC/CPWA Seminar Series
over the trench excavation area. Kansas City, MO: APWA, 2000
118
T-Section Cuts are said to reduce water infiltration by making it more difficult to travel over a complex path. http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fulltext/nrcc42668.pdf
They are also thought to reduce the likelihood of pavement failure by transferring traffic loads beyond the 119
trench area via arching action. However, recent studies claim that straight section repairs perform as well as Although there is no consensus among experts, some studies show that flowable fill containing coal fly ash
T-sections if adequate soil compaction is achieved. Furthermore, studies point out that T-section repairs require or other supplementary cementitious materials may corrode ductile iron pipes. Future research needs to be
excavating up to three times as much material as straight cut repairs. T-section cuts are also more expensive, conducted. In the meantime, Trejo, et al., see references.
labor intensive, and difficult to execute because they require ‘surgical precision’ to avoid sub-grade damage. 120
Todres, see references.
107
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ UTILITY ˙ UI.3 COORDINATE UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EASY ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE
UI.3 Background
The subsurface of the public right-of-way is a dense, sometimes chaotically arranged
COORDINATE UTILITY
assortment of private utilities and public infrastructure. As a result, utility records
often contain inaccurate position and depth recordings, and abandoned and forgotten
conduits are frequently encountered. Not only does this create a potential safety
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR hazard for construction personnel and people on the street, but it also can have
significant environmental impact. Accidents and unexpected interferences between
EASY ACCESS AND utilities in the field can cause construction delays and work stoppage that can
impede the flow of traffic in the right-of-way, causing increases in pollution, noise and
MAINTENANCE disruption.
Though the majority of New York City’s private utility structure is already in place,
ongoing capital improvement projects inevitably require relocation of utilities. Utility
OBJECTIVE relocations are often required on street reconstruction projects that include sub-grade
work, such as water main and sewer repairs and reconstruction. It is important to
Coordinate placement of public and private utilities using common trenching and create a consistent layout that predetermines location, nature, and depth of jointly
utility ducts to minimize the environmental impact of installation and maintenance. installed utilities before construction to minimize redundancy of cuts and to reduce
damage and work stoppage.
BENEFITS
+ Ideal for urban areas where space in the right-of-way is at a premium and INTEGRATION
maintenance is frequently performed. ˙ SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities
+ Enables different entities to synchronize work and share expenses. ˙ PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide
+ Minimizes pavement degradation from utility cuts. ˙ UI.1 Minimize Impact of Utility Work
+ Minimizes the environmental impact of construction. ˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
+ Enables easy location and identification of utilities. ˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction
+ Minimizes incorrect excavations, utility damage and interference. ˙ CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction
+ Reduces construction delays and impacts.
+ Reduces traffic congestion and vehicular emissions.
Technical Strategies
LIMITATIONS Use markings to reduce damage to third-party utilities:
˙ Use accurate, uniform-colored above-ground markings indicating utility location
– Increases opportunity for utility security to be compromised.
and type.
– High construction costs may be unjustifiable in some situations.
˙ Consider imprinting markings on asphalt, affixing tape or stickers to the trench, etc.
– Identifying a liable and responsible party for maintenance of common structure
˙ Note where excavator must begin hand digging.
may be difficult.
˙ Use excavation and temporary survey markings.
– Opportunities to install new utility configurations are rare.
– Conflicting interests among utility franchises may prohibit cooperation. Utilize common trenching: Place utilities in a coordinated configuration in the
– Utility companies may be unwilling to bear additional costs. right-of-way corridor. This will reduce the impact of utility installation, expansion,
– Leaks may be difficult to detect and could lead to trench failure. relocation, and repair.
– Determination of leaks may be difficult. ˙ Consider vertical stacking of telephone, electric, gas, and other ‘dry’ utilities.
˙ Avoid common trenching of water and sewer lines or other ‘wet’ services.121
121
Common trenching of wet services can lead to cross contamination of potable water mains in the event of
breakage and repair. Additionally, proximity to gas lines complicates repair operations to wet services.
108
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ UTILITY ˙ UI.3 COORDINATE UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EASY ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE
˙ Ensure that electrical cables of different classes maintain adequate separation

distances from each other and gas pipes.
˙ Utilize alternative contracting and insurance mechanisms to enhance cooperation
and coordination among utilities.
Utilize utility ducts in new right-of-way construction or major reconstruction: A utility duct, or
‘utilidor’, is a subterranean supporting structure – ranging in size from a small conduit
to a walk-though tunnel – that contains several adjacent utility systems and allows
easy access for regular maintenance.
˙ Use utility ducts in urban areas where space in the right-of-way
is at a premium and maintenance of utilities is frequent.
EXAMPLES
Utility Markings
New York City employs aboveground marking techniques and has a 24-hour utility
location hotline to help reduce construction delays, service interruptions, and
accidental damage caused to utilities by the City or private utility company during
excavation.
Common Trench A typical situation in Manhattan in which active subsurface utilities are surrounded by abandoned and
In 1999, Fort Worth, Texas was approached by twelve different telecommunications forgotten conduits, making coordination and repair difficult.
companies who wanted to install conduits in downtown Fort Worth. The city, in an
effort to avoid twelve separate construction jobs, requested the twelve franchises Central Park transverse road to install stackable duct banks and manholes for the Fire
coordinate and install a common trench with common manholes. There was no Department’s communication lines. The Fire Department, in turn, is leasing these vacant
city ordinance mandating cooperation, though, and the franchises were resistant. ducts to private, low-voltage utility lines such as telephone and telecommunications.
Finally, Fort Worth threatened to permit the utilities on a first-come, first-serve basis,
meaning some of them would have to delay installation for up to three years. Not Nassau County, NY, which supplied the Borough of Brooklyn with water prior to
surprisingly, all utilities agreed to install conduits in a common trench (but refused Brooklyn’s 1898 consolidation with New York City, is currently ducting private utilities into
common manholes). Currently, Fort Worth’s phone company is working with the a discarded cast iron water main.
electric company to jointly install utilities in a subdivision. In this case, the cost of joint
trenching will be picked up by the developer.122
references
Utility Ducts Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer
Utility Locating Technologies: A Summary of Responses to a Statement of Need
The City of Denton, Texas states in its comprehensive plan: ‘The dry utilities will be
By Raymond L. Sterling
placed in a duct bank with expansion room under the sidewalk opposite the gas
Washington, D.C.: Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, 2000
line.’123 This effectively gives more critical utilities such as water, sewer, electric and http://www.federallabs.org/utilities/Presentations/Utility_Locating_Technologies_Report.pdf
gas priority in the right-of-way over the ‘dry’ utilities such as telephone, cable, and
internet. Irving, Texas reports trenches with eight or nine companies in one trench. Right-of-Way Management Guidelines Oversight Team
The NYC DDC recently took the opportunity during a water main installation in a and the Public Works Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments
Public Right-of-Way Management: Suggestions for Local Governments, North Central Texas
Arlington, TX: NCTCOG, 2003
http://publicworks.nctcog.org/ROW/PDFs/Right_of_Way_Management.pdf
122
Mitch Montgomery, Fort Worth Transportation and Public Works. Telephone interview by author. July 13, 2004.
123
http://www.cityofdenton.com/pages/dentonplan.cfm
109
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ UTILITY ˙ UI.4 USE TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGIES
UI.4
Trenchless technologies can be classified into four types of applications: investigation,
localized repair, on-line replacement, and new installation. Choice of trenchless
technologies is influenced by a wide range of factors, including project needs,
USE TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGIES subsurface soil and groundwater conditions, pre-existing obstructions, and density of
lateral utility connections. In many cases, a common trenchless technology will need to
be adapted to address a particular set of site-specific conditions. Private utilities such
as electric, gas, and telecommunications companies should consider using trenchless
OBJECTIVE methods when possible to install and repair their own property. This will result in
fewer utility cuts, a reduced rate of pavement failure, and cost savings for the City.
Employ trenchless technologies to facilitate non-destructive inspection and installation
of utility infrastructure and to minimize pavement cutting and excavation during water,
sewer, and other conduit work. INTEGRATION
˙ PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide
BENEFITS ˙ UI.1 Minimize Impact of Utility Work
+ Minimizes congestion and vehicular emissions. ˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction
+ Preserves pavement integrity and minimizes damage. ˙ CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction
+ Minimizes environmental disturbance; useful in sensitive areas.
+ Accelerates project schedules.
+ Minimizes dust, noise, and other detriments to quality-of-life. Technical Strategies
+ Minimizes impact to area businesses.
Minimize environmental impact when utilizing trenchless technologies:
+ Usually less expensive than open-cut excavation.
˙ Assess the potential for finding contaminated soil prior to construction.
+ Improves worker safety.
˙ When utilizing trenchless technologies in contaminated soils, take special care to
minimize environmental impact.
LIMITATIONS ˙ Develop a program to handle, treat and dispose of contaminated soil.
˙ Protect storm sewer inlets, vegetated areas, and other sensitive areas.
– Not applicable to many right-of-way maintenance and installation procedures that
˙ See “Protect Water Sources During Construction” (CP.3) for more details.
require excavation.
– May be cost-prohibitive, impractical, or unsuitable for pipes that have extensive Trenchless Investigation and Nondestructive Testing
lateral connections.
Minimize ground excavation during investigation and monitoring using one or several
– Could cause harm to unanticipated buried utilities.
of the following methods:
– Requires a variety of new equipment.
– Equipment and technical expertise may not be locally available. Sound inspections: To detect leaks, use ground microphones or ‘hydrophones,’
embedded in the pavement as a permanent monitoring system.
Conduct visual inspections: Use closed circuit television (CCTV) and other imaging
Background technologies to inspect the flow and wall conditions of pipes.
Conduct radar inspections: Use as a remotely controlled nondestructive testing method.
‘Trenchless technologies’ is an umbrella term that encompasses a total system of know-
Sonar inspections: Use as a remotely controlled nondestructive testing method.
how, technologies, procedures, services, and equipment dedicated to providing an
alternative to open-cut excavation.124 Trenchless technologies minimize the environmental, Trenchless Repairs
social and economic costs of right-of-way construction by enabling the bulk of
Use trenchless technologies to repair damage that is restricted to a small part of the
operations to take place underground without excavation. Recently developed trenchless
sewer or drain, and when it is more cost-effective to repair individual defects rather
technologies are particularly useful in cities where automobile traffic is high, underground
than replace or renovate the full length of the conduit. Typically, trenchless repairs are
utility congestion is growing, and soil contamination and erosion are a problem.
limited to gravity sewers and storm drains.
124
Trenchless Technologies are recognized as an Environmentally Sustainable Technology (EST) by the United Use internal joint seals: For repair of pressure pipe joints, use synthetic rubber internal
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). See Trenchless Technology Systems: An Environmentally Sound
Technology’ UNEP-DTIE-IETC/ISTT. http://www.nodig-construction.com/praxisberichte/UNEP_Final.pdf
joint seals to ensure a hermetic seal around the entire leaking pipe joint. Internal
(Accessed August 9, 2004). Joint Seals have been used on pipes with diameters as small as 16’, but are primarily
110
intended for pipes large enough to permit human access. Using internal joint seals is
a low-cost, reliable alternative to other common, more invasive pipe repairs.
Conduct pipe re-rounding: Use an expander unit – in tandem with patching and liner
repair strategies – to restore a deformed pipe to its original circular section and hold
pipe fragments in place until the pipe can be patched or lined.
Employ robotic methods: Use commercially available robotic equipment to repair
deteriorated areas and cracks. Use in tandem with trenchless investigation
techniques to obtain live video images and to control the repair operation remotely.
Trenchless On-Line Replacement

Minimize ground excavation while rehabilitating on-line conduits using the following
technologies:
Use cured-in-place pipes (CIPP): Use various combinations of fabric and resin to perform
both non-structural repairs (internal corrosion, leakage, etc) and full structural
rehabilitations to sewers.125 Also known as in-situ relining, CIPP is a relatively rapid
and versatile repair method that is able to negotiate bends and accommodate a
variety of diameters. CIPP is usually introduced into the sewer system from an existing
manhole or access pit. Within the last three years, full-structural CIPP rehabilitation of
pressure pipes has begun to come into wide use.126
Conduct sliplining: Conduct sliplining to make a range of repairs or full-structural Central Park West and West 63rd Street – New York, NY
rehabilitation of water or sewer pipes under gravity or pressure flow. Insert liners Pipejacking performed at a busy intersection to minimize disruption and costs
made of various materials into the host pipe from a launch pit to an exit pit at the end
of the length to be repaired.127 Considerations include: a new pipe. A splitting tool is either drawn or pushed statically, hydraulically, or
˙ Determine an entry and exit pit. pneumatically into the existing pipe by a winched cable or drill with the replacement
˙ Use sliplining on long runs with few connections. pipe attached to the splitting tool. The radial force applied to the old pipe causes it to
˙ Consider the reduction in cross-sectional area: some liners with an independent shatter and embeds the fragments into the surrounding soil. Considerations include:
structure may reduce the cross-sectional area of the pipe, reducing flow capacity. ˙ Determine an entry and exit pit.
However, the improved friction coefficient of the liner may enhance hydraulic ˙ Use pipe splitting on long runs with few bends or connections.
performance enough to compensate for the reduction in pipe section. ˙ Avoid pipe splitting in shallow depths that will lead to ground heaves.
˙ Consider the need for a close fit: where a close fit is desirable, particularly in ˙ Maintain a safe clearance to adjacent utilities and underground structures.
pressure pipes (i.e. water pipes), consider re-rounding the inserted liner one time
by applying heat or water pressure.
Trenchless New Installation
˙ Consider the rigidity of the liner: bends are limited to 45 degrees in close fit Minimize ground excavation when installing new conduits using the following
applications and zero degrees in other cases. technologies:
˙ Consider grouting of the annular space to maintain the structural integrity of the Conduct horizontal directional drilling (HDD): Perform horizontal directional drilling in the
newly lined pipe. installation of new water or sewer pipes when open-cut excavation is impossible. This
Conduct pipe bursting: Perform pipe bursting – also known as pipe splitting or pipe technique uses a remotely controlled drill pipe that drills a pilot hole, enlarges it to the
reaming – to burst existing water or sewer pipes while simultaneously inserting required size and then pulls the carrier pipe into place. The drill pipe also manages
and removes the tunneling spoils, which may be contaminated with hazardous
125
Typical CIPP systems include felt-based, woven hose, and membrane, which are respectively used for full-, material. A drawback of HDD is that quality control of pipe bedding and fill is limited
semi-, and non-structural rehabilitations. These fabrics are often impregnated with resin pre-installation, and and difficult to inspect. For this reason, soil conditions must be fairly consistent for
then cured within the host pipe to produce a new rigid structure. Resins used must meet local health and good performance.
environmental approvals when used in potable water systems. Enforce a high level of quality control during
the installation process to avoid collection of hazardous levels of resin at the end of the pipe. Conduct pipejacking: Use pipejacking to install gravity sewers and other systems that
126
Major municipalities in Ontario, Canada, are using CIPP in water force mains. require precise installation close to target lines and levels. Pipejacking employs
127
High density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are typically the materials of choice in this
hydraulic jacking from a drive shaft to install pipe segments directly behind a shield
process. PVC is of concern for both its effect on water and its detrimental effect on the environment. Only use machine that performs the excavation. The pipe segments are joined in the entry pit,
PVC in non-potable water applications, if at all.
111
was prohibited for part of the job that ran under a railroad. To accomplish this task,
engineers used a pipe ramming method known as the ‘oversize missile system,’ in
which a percussive hammer is mounted at the front of the pipe, pulling it into place.
New York City has used microtunneling for over a decade, including on a job that ran
under the Bronx River.129
In 1999, the City of Ottawa, Canada, sliplined a 36’ water main and avoided
excavation in a busy downtown street. Total economic cost savings on this project was
estimated at a minimum of $3 million.130
references
Australian Society for Trenchless Technology
http://www.astt.com.au/
Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
‘Deterioration and Inspection of Water Distribution Systems’
Pelham Parkway – Bronx, NY
Piperamming a 36” steel casing for a 20’ water main crossing under the Pelham Parkway ‘Selection of Technologies for the Rehabilitation or Replacement of a Water Distribution System’
forming a continuous pipe in the ground. Pipejacking guidance and control systems Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council, 2003
are very precise. http://www.infraguide.ca
Conduct pipe ramming: Use a percussive hammer to drive the installation of pipe
‘Selection of Technologies for Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement’
segments in a process similar to pipejacking.
Conduct microtunneling: To install pipe with a diameter too small for human entry,
combine the pipejacking installation procedure with a laser-guided, remotely steered http://www.infraguide.ca
drill shield. Unlike other trenchless methods, microtunneling may be more expensive
than open-cut excavation. ‘Selection of Technologies for Storm and Wastewater Collection Systems’
Air-spading: Use air-spading, rather than cut and cover technique, to install utilities In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
within tree protection zone. (CP.2)
No-Dig Construction.com
exampleS http://www.nodig-construction.com/
At a reclaimed industrial brownfield site in Chelsea, Massachusetts, contaminated North American Society for Trenchless Technology Newsletter
soil was identified along a proposed sewer alignment during the geotechnical http://www.nastt.org/newsletter.html
investigation. To minimize environmental impact and disruption to local businesses,
“A Brief History of Trenchless Construction” In About Us
microtunneling was used to install the infrastructure.128 Approximately 3,000 linear
http://www.nasttglsl.on.ca/english/about.htm
feet of new 66’ diameter sewer and 4,700 liner feet of 36’ diameter sewer were
installed successfully. Trenchless Technology Magazine
https://www.ttmag.com/subscriptions.php
To connect New York City’s Water Tunnel No. 3 into the existing system, engineers
were forced to split a sewer main into two pipes and reroute it, and another water 129
Svilar, Bill. Interview by author. September 22, 2004. New York, NY.
distribution main, to make way for a new water trunk main. Open-cut excavation 130
Zhao, J.Q., and B. Rajani. 2002. Construction and Rehabilitation Costs for Buried Pipe with a Focus on
128
HDD and Microtunneling: Trenchless Methods Meet Today’s Needs. Trenchless Technology. Trenchless Technologies. Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council Canada.
http://www.trenchlessonline.com/paper.php (accessed July 7, 2004). IRC-RR-101.
112
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ UTILITY
UTILITY
113
STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT
SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
SM.2 Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations . . . . . . 123
SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
SM.5 Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
SM.8 Use Detention Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
SM.9 Use Infiltration Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
SM.10 Use Bioretention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.1 CONDUCT INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING
SM.1 Background
Integrated Stormwater Management Planning (ISMP) is a comprehensive,
CONDUCT INTEGRATED
interdisciplinary process that coordinates the efforts of urban planners, ecologists,
engineers, architects and landscape architects. The goal is to optimize rainfall
capture, control, flood risk management, water quality improvement, and aquatic
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ecosystem protection on a regional, watershed, neighborhood, and local scale. ISMP
should accommodate and inform all other land use development processes.
PLANNING In the past, the sole objective of stormwater management was to remove rainfall
as quickly as possible without jeopardizing safety. Today, knowledge of the
environmental impact of stormwater – i.e. sedimentation, habitat degradation,
OBJECTIVE turbidity, eutrophication, toxicity, oxygen depletion, trash and debris buildup,
temperature increases, bacterial contamination, etc – has led to the development
Undertake a proactive, integrated planning approach to urban stormwater
of improved approaches to handling the specific needs of small, large, and extreme
management to protect property and aquatic ecosystems while at the same time
storms.132 The emerging consensus among stormwater management planners is to
accommodating land development.131 Develop and implement watershed-based
seek to eliminate runoff from small storms (the majority, or 90% of all storms); detain,
drainage master plans and associated policies that seek to reduce, treat, and control
treat and slowly release rainfall from large storms (once a year storms or greater);
stormwater runoff as close to its source as possible. Over time, seek to eliminate
and provide conveyance or flood control for extreme storms. Experience by state and
combined sewer overflows, and improve water quality and urban hydrology. Prioritize
local agencies proves that retaining and treating stormwater as close to its source as
initiatives that will enhance overall environmental quality, aesthetics, habitat, quality of
possible, and eventually allowing it to infiltrate into the ground or evapotranspirate
life, and property values.
into the atmosphere, is the most cost-effective method of improving water quality and
hydrology, and minimizing damage to aquatic ecosystems.
BENEFITS
+ Significantly improves water quality and minimizes combined sewer overflows. INTEGRATION
+ Shifts cost of stormwater management to building operators and property owners,
resulting in a cost savings for the City.
+ Could enable downsizing sewer infrastructure, resulting in significant cost savings ˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis
for the City. ˙ SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
+ Ensures that future development – both public and private – will further the goal of ˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation
minimizing runoff. ˙ SS.1 Work with Community Groups to Enhance and Maintain Streetscape
+ Promotes productive reuse of stormwater and minimizes use of municipal ˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
potable water. ˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
+ Increases habitat, open space preservation, and urban landscape. ˙ PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements
+ Improves urban hydrology. ˙ SM.2 Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control
+ Reduces the urban heat island effect. ˙ SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations
LIMITATIONS ˙ LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat
– Cannot succeed without extensive coordination among stakeholders and ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
comprehensive, citywide management, planning, and budgeting. ˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
– May require dedicated funding source.
132
For a detailed methodology for managing the ‘complete spectrum’ of rainfall events,
consult, Stormwater Planning: A guidebook for British Columbia.
131 http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/mpp/stormwater/stormwater.html
Definition of Integrated Stormwater Management from Greater Vancouver Regional District.
116
TECHNICAL STRATEGIES Provide financial incentives and eliminate regulatory barriers:

˙ Improve zoning ordinances, construction permitting procedures, building codes,
Develop watershed-based drainage master plans: stormwater utility fees, etc to allow for, and provide incentives for, the minimization
˙ Plan to infiltrate, retain, or reuse stormwater as close to its source as possible. of runoff.
˙ Develop drainage network strategies to distribute stormwater to nearby locations ˙ Give incentives for existing facilities to reduce runoff by minimizing impervious area,
where it can be retained and infiltrated cost-effectively. constructing green roofs, constructing stormwater collection systems, and reusing
˙ Develop strategies to reduce substantially and ultimately eliminate combined sewer runoff for irrigation, grey water, cooling tower water, cooling of steam condensate
overflows. before discharge, washing, etc.
˙ Prioritize use of on-site bioengineered BMPs and other strategies that enhance
overall environmental quality, aesthetics, quality of life, habitat, and property values. Develop and implement public education campaigns to increase awareness of the importance of
˙ Determine high-priority or problematic drainage catchment areas. watershed health.
˙ Seek to minimize and disconnect impervious areas. (PA.2, PA.4)
Implement strategies to prevent water pollution and control sources. (SM.2.)
˙ Seek to maximize open space, natural habitat and landscape. (LA.1, LA.2)
˙ Undertake reforestation and watercourse restoration. (LA.2)
˙ Promote stormwater reuse. EXAMPLE
˙ Use lifecycle analysis to select the most cost-effective, beneficial strategies.
The Philadelphia Office of Watersheds was created in 1999 to oversee a multidisci-
See City Process Section for more details.
plinary watershed management program aimed at abating combined sewer overflows.
Develop scientifically-based performance targets and guidelines: The Office of Watersheds has used integrated stormwater management planning to
˙ Develop stormwater management targets and guidelines for all project types develop comprehensive, citywide strategies to reduce and control runoff. A number of
citywide. projects have already been implemented, including stabilizing vacant lots, creating new
˙ Require that public and private building construction and redevelopment projects parks and community gardens with bioengineered stormwater BMPs, renovating school
produce no post-development runoff. (SM.3) yards to reduce impervious area and increase green space, constructing infiltration
basins underneath playing fields, resurfacing basketball courts with pervious pavement,
˙ In right-of-way reconstruction or new construction projects, seek to capture and
minimizing runoff from parking lots, and constructing green roofs. Future objectives for
treat, and either infiltrate or retain all small storms, or 90% of annual rainfall
the Office of Watersheds include overhauling the city’s existing stormwater ordinance,
volume. (SM.4)
updating land development codes, providing economic incentives for eliminating runoff,
˙ Seek to detain, and if possible treat, runoff generated during large, once a year
and educating the general public about the importance of watershed health.
storm (mean annual rainfall event) and enable slow release at the rate of a naturally
vegetated watershed. (SM.4)
˙ Provide flood risk management for extreme storms. references
˙ Prioritize implementation of stormwater management performance targets in high-
Abrams, Glen J.
priority or problematic drainage catchment areas. “New Thinking in an Old City: Philadelphia’s Movement Towards Low-Impact Development”
˙ Develop special initiatives to reduce combined sewer overflows. NWQEP NOTES: The NCSU Water Quality Group Newsletter
February, 2004. ISSN 1062-9149. Number 112
Integrate stormwater management planning citywide: North Carolina State University Water Quality Group
˙ Integrate stormwater management planning with all other city planning initiatives http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/issues/notes112.pdf
– including open space and parks development, economic development, housing
redevelopment, etc – so that new projects further the goal of reducing runoff and Federal Highway Administration
improving water quality. Stormwater Best Management Practices in an Ultra-Urban Setting: Selection and Monitoring.
FHWA-EP-00-002. Washington, D.C.: FHWA, 2000
Develop stormwater demonstration projects: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ultraurb/
˙ Locate demonstration projects in high-priority or problematic drainage areas Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
˙ Seek to demonstrate how optimizing stormwater management can add value to ‘Road Drainage, Design Alternatives and Maintenance.’
development projects through the creation of open space, attractive landscapes, etc. In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure. Federation of Canadian Municipalities
˙ Monitor and evaluate pilot projects and seek to improve stormwater management in and National Research Council, 2003
future initiatives. http://www.infraguide.ca
117
____
‘Source and On-Site Controls for Municipal Drainage Systems’
In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure.
____
‘Stormwater Management Planning Guide’
Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council, 2005.
____
‘Conveyance and End-of-pipe Measures for Stormwater Control’
Greater Vancouver Regional District
“Stormwater Source Controls Preliminary Design Guidelines Interim Report” – 2004
http://www.grvd.bc.ca/sewerage/stormwater_reports.htm
_____
Liquid Waste Management Plan
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/sewerage/lwmp_feb2001/lwmp_8.pdf
National Resource Defense Council. Out of the Gutter:
Reducing Polluted Run-Off in the District of Columbia
New York: NRDC, 2002.
Stephens, Kim A., Patrick Graham, and David Reid
Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia – 2002
http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/mpp/stormwater/stormwater.html
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development
“Appendix A: Summary of Large Storm Hydrology”
Stormwater Best Management Practice Design Guide
Washington, DC, EPA, 2004
http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/pubs/600r04121/600r04121.pdf
118
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.2 PREVENT WATER POLLUTION AND PRACTICE SOURCE CONTROL
SM.2
Improve streetscape maintenance practices:
˙ Optimize street cleaning practices.133
˙ Avoid pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. (LA.12, LA.14)
PREVENT WATER POLLUTION ˙ Clean catch basins at least once per year during dry weather. (SM.6)
˙ Conduct maintenance of stormwater management BMPs in conjunction with
AND PRACTICE SOURCE CONTROL

maintenance cycles of other infrastructure components.
˙ Minimize use of detergents. Consider the use of heated water or natural cleaners.
Develop alternative strategies for de-icing traveled routes:

˙ Prohibit use of sodium chloride as a de-icing salt.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Use calcium chloride mixed with sand and fine gravel.
Undertake pollution prevention and source control strategies to minimize damage to ˙ Consider use of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) in lieu of road salt especially in
water sources and aquatic ecosystems. Engage the participation of City employees, sensitive ecological areas and on bridges.
construction workers, businesses and industries, and the general public. ˙ Use grit on less traveled paths and within park areas.
˙ Maintain salt spreading equipment regularly.
˙ Protect vegetated areas: use good de-icing salt spreading techniques. Use mix of
BENEFITS de-icing salt and sand.
+ Offers the most cost effective method of reducing water pollution. ˙ Consider pre-treating roads to help prevent bonding of ice.
+ Reduces maintenance costs and improves performance of downstream BMPs.
+ Encourages participation by citizenry. Develop ‘Pollution Prevention and Control Plans’ (PPCP): Develop PPCPs for City agencies
+ Easy to implement. whose activities may generate non-point source pollution. Also work with community
boards, local businesses and industries, commercial and residential buildings
to develop and implement PPCPs. Consider giving awards or other incentives to
LIMITATIONS encourage participation and environmental stewardship. Encourage the following
practices:
− May require dedicated funding.
− Ineffective without education and cooperation of the public, industry, construction ˙ Minimization or substitution of chemicals and hazardous materials.
workers, maintenance workers, business owners, building operators, etc. ˙ Proper material handling and storage.
˙ Prevention and proper handling of spills.
˙ Use of environmentally benign cleaning and maintenance practices.
INTEGRATION ˙ Minimization and containment of waste generating activities.
˙ PA.5 Use Reduced-Emission Materials ˙ Proper waste storage, treatment, and disposal.
˙ LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species ˙ Promotion of recycling and composting.
˙ LA.14 Biointensive Integrated Pest Management ˙ Safe vehicle fueling, cleaning and maintenance.
˙ CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan ˙ Promotion of water conservation.
˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas ˙ Control of sedimentation and erosion.
˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction ˙ Maintenance and monitoring of stormwater controls, particularly after major storms.
˙ Proper irrigation and landscaping practices.
˙ Periodic sweeping and cleaning of impervious surfaces.
TECHNICAL STRATEGIES ˙ Training of employees about pollution prevention.
Prevent water pollution from right-of-way construction (CP.3): Promote Public Education about Pollution Prevention and Control:
˙ Prohibit concrete trucks from washing out into catch basins. ˙ Stencil catch basin inserts with messages or pictures that promote environmental
˙ Minimize the use of toxic materials and VOC-containing compounds in construction awareness and seek to reduce non-point source pollution.
and maintenance. (PA.5)
˙ Control chemicals and dispose of them appropriately. (CP.3)
˙ Use catch basin inserts as temporary sediment traps during construction. (SM.6) 133
Consult Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ‘Recommended BMPs for Washing.’
˙ Protect water sources during construction. (CP.3) http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/wqpermit/WashWater.pdf
119
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.2 PREVENT WATER POLLUTION AND PRACTICE SOURCE CONTROL
˙ Develop and distribute educational material about the importance of water quality _____
and how to prevent non-point source pollution. Office of Research and Development
Additional Pollution Prevention Practices: “Appendix A: Summary of Large Storm Hydrology”
˙ Develop a municipal tree and landscaping ordinance to increase and properly Stormwater Best Management Practice Design Guide
Washington, DC: EPA, 2004
maintain open space and vegetation. (LA.1)
http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/pubs/600r04121/600r04121.pdf
˙ Create absorbent landscapes. (LA.3)
˙ Increase the quantity, density, and diversity of trees. (LA.7) Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
˙ Encourage improved designs and maintenance strategies for impervious ‘Wastewater Source Control’
parking lots. In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
˙ Reduce impervious pavement on a citywide basis. (PA.2, PA.4, SM.1)
Keating, Janis.
example “De-icing Salt: Still on the Table”
The Massachusetts Highway Department has designated approximately one thousand Stormwater: The Journal for Surface Water Quality Professionals
May/June 2001
lane-miles of roadway in certain watersheds as low-salt roadways. On certain roads
http://www.forester.net/sw_0106_de-icing.html#push
adjacent to cranberry bogs, such as Route 25 in the Plymouth area, Mass Highway
uses magnesium acetate (CMA) as a salt alternative. Before major projected storms, National Resource Defense Council. Out of the Gutter:
Mass Highway pre-treats bridges and ramps, and posts road crews throughout the Reducing Polluted Run-Off in the District of Columbia
area to expedite the initial clearing operation. New York: NRDC, 2002
http://www.forester.net/sw_0106_de-icing.html#push http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/gutter/gutterinx.asp
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
‘Recommended Best Management Practices for Washing Activities’
references 1998
City of San Diego http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/wqpermit/WashWater.pdf
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program Washington State Department of Ecology.
http://www.sandiego.gov/stormwater/overview/index.shtml “Construction Stormwater Prevention Program”
Environmental Protection Agency Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington: Volume II
“Storm water Management for Construction Activities” http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/9912.html
Document No. EPA 832/R-92-005. September 1992 Wegner, William, and Marc Yaggi
_____ “Environmental Impacts of Road Salt and Alternatives for the New York City Watershed”
“Stormwater Pollution Prevention Overview” Stormwater: The Journal for Surface Water Quality Professionals
http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/stormwater/ http://www.forester.net/sw_0107_environmental.html
____
“Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans”
Chapter 2 in Guidance for Industrial Facilities
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/chap02_indguide.pdf
_____
“Urban Runoff”
Chapter 4, Part 2 of the Guidance Specifying Management Measures
for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters
Document No. EPA-840-B-92-002. January 1993
120
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.3 MINIMIZE RUN-OFF FROM NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR RENOVATIONS
SM.3
MINIMIZE RUNOFF FROM NEW ˙

˙
SM.10 Use Bioretention
SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND

LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
MAJOR RENOVATIONS
˙
OBJECTIVE
Minimize, and if possible eliminate, stormwater runoff from new building construction Planning
and major renovation projects. When planning and designing buildings and sites, ˙ Modify municipal permitting process and building codes to encourage or require
create a hydrologic landscape that is functionally equivalent to the pre-development onsite stormwater management and reduce runoff.
hydrology. ˙ Create incentives for developers to maximize onsite stormwater management and
minimize runoff.
BENEFITS Design
+ Significantly improves water quality and minimizes combined sewer overflows. Design a hydrologic landscape that will enable zero-runoff beyond the pre-development state:
+ Shifts cost of stormwater management to building operators and property owners, ˙ Begin stormwater management planning as early in the process as possible.
resulting in a substantial cost savings for the City. ˙ Minimize and disconnect impervious surface areas to reduce runoff and encourage
+ Treats stormwater as a valuable resource. Promotes the productive reuse of infiltration. (PA.2, PA.4)
stormwater and reduces use of municipal potable water. ˙ Maximize landscaping and pervious open space. (LA.1, LA.2, SS.5)
+ Cost-effectively reduces and controls stormwater as close to its source as possible. ˙ Use pervious pavements. (PA.4)
LIMITATIONS ˙ Use bioengineered and structural practices to reduce and control runoff.
˙ Use stormwater collection and recycling systems.
− Increases construction costs. ˙ If possible, design site so that it maintains or restores pre-development drainage
− BMPs require periodic maintenance. Improper maintenance could result in patterns.
inadequate stormwater management, flooding, etc. ˙ If some runoff is unavoidable, seek to detain for the duration of the storm and allow
− Regulatory changes or financial incentives may be necessary to gain compliance by it to slowly enter back into the municipal drainage system. If possible, treat the
private developers. water quality volume prior to discharge.
− Enforcement, fines and transfer of liability may be necessary to ensure long-term
performance and upkeep of on-site stormwater management. Minimize stormwater runoff from buildings, especially in areas with combined sewer systems:
˙ Use green roofs.
INTEGRATION ˙ Use roof downspout controls to manage runoff from buildings on-site.
˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis ˙ Use structural practices to reduce and control runoff. (SM.8, SM.9)
˙ SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis ˙ Use stormwater collection and recycling systems.
˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation ˙ Reuse stormwater runoff for irrigation, indoor plumbing, janitorial uses, cooling
˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area tower make-up, cooling of steam condensate, washing of vehicles, facades, and
˙ PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements pavement, and etc.
˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning ˙ Use vegetated swales, bioretention and constructed wetlands. (SM.10, SM.11)
˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage ˙ Use drywells and leaching fields for stormwater infiltration.
121
˙ Use porous pavement for stormwater infiltration. (PA.4)

˙ See High Performance Building Guidelines for more details.
Capture and reuse stormwater: Rather than exporting rainwater as a waste product down
storm sewers, reuse it for landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, custodial work, and
other uses to reduce demand for potable water.
PERFORMANCE GOALS
The following performance goals are recommended by the United States Green
Building Council in LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation:
Quantity:134 Implement a stormwater management plan that prevents the post-

development 1.5 year, 24 hour peak discharge rate from exceeding the pre-
development discharge rate.
Quality: Construct site stormwater treatment systems designed to remove 80% of
the average annual post-development total suspended solids (TSS) and 40% of the
average annual post-development total phosphorous (TP) based on the average
annual loadings from all storms less than or equal to the 2-year/24-hour storm.
EXAMPLES
Seattle, Washington – High Point Redevelopment
Seattle Public Utilities, partnering with Seattle Housing Authority developed a natural Mt. Hope Community Center – Bronx, New York
drainage system for a 129 acre housing redevelopment – one of Seattle’s largest New community center minimizes runoff through the use of intensive and extensive green roofs,
redevelopments in recent history – located in the threatened Longfellow Creek pervious pavements, stormwater detention, and gray water irrigation.
Watershed. The natural drainage system integrates 22,000 linear feet of bioretention
swales into the right-of-way, providing both storage and infiltration for stormwater from references
surrounding blocks. Once built, the natural drainage system will provide water quality
treatment for the 6-month storm and attenuate the two-year, 24-hour storm to pre- “Storm water Management for Construction Activities”
developed conditions, resulting in substantially improved water quality compared to Document No. EPA 832/R-92-005
conventional drainage infrastructure. September 1992
http://www.seattle.gov/util/naturalsystems
_____
Office of Research and Development
City of Chicago Stormwater Best Management Practice Design Guide
The City of Chicago has undertaken a series of innovative projects to reduce runoff Appendix A Summary of Large Storm Hydrology
and improve urban hydrology. In 2001, a 38,800 square foot green roof was installed Washington, DC, EPA, 2004
on top of the City Hall. Chicago has also developed a ground-breaking landscaping http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/pubs/600r04121/600r04121.pdf
ordinance called City Trees, which requires tree planting and landscaping for new and Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
renovated buildings and parking areas. ”Road Drainage, Design Alternatives and Maintenance”
http://www.lid-stormwater.net/greenroofs/greenroofs_commercial.htm In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
http://www.cityofchicago.org/Environment/CityTrees/LandscapeOrdinance.html Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council, 2003
134
Adapted from LEED® New Construction & Major Renovation (LEED-NC), 2003
122
_____
National Resource Defense Council.
Out of the Gutter: Reducing Polluted Run-Off in the District of Columbia
New York: NRDC, 2002
NYC Department of Design and Construction
High Performance Building Guidelines
NYC: DDC, 1999, pp. 104-107
http://www.nyc.gov/html/ddc/html/ddcgreen/
United States Department of Transportation
Stormwater Best Management Practices in an Ultra-Urban Setting: Selection and Monitoring
FHWA-EP-00-002
Washington, D.C.: FHWA, 2000
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ultraurb/
United States Green Building Council
Green Building Rating System for New Construction and Major Renovations
Version 2.1. USGBC, 2002. 11-12
http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/LEEDdocs/LEED_RS_v2-1.pdf
123
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.4 OPTIMIZE RIGHT-OF-WAY DRAINAGE
SM.4
Certain BMPs in the Guidelines accomplish only one of these objectives, while others
accomplish multiple objectives. The following text describes three categories of BMPs
discussed in the Guidelines. The primary objectives achieved by each BMP are listed
OPTIMIZE RIGHT-OF-WAY in parentheses.
Pretreatment BMPs Practices that provide initial treatment and reduce velocity of
DRAINAGE stormwater before it enters downstream BMPs.
˙ SM.5 Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips (Treat)
˙ SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts (Treat)
˙ SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets (Treat )
OBJECTIVE
Structural BMPs Practices that use physical means to control and treat runoff.
Optimize right-of-way drainage through the use of stormwater management BMPs
˙ SM.8 Use Detention Structures (Detain)
to reduce, detain, and treat stormwater runoff.
˙ SM.9 Use Infiltration Structures (Reduce, Treat)
BENEFITS Bioengineered BMPs Vegetated practices that are designed to mimic natural hydrologic
and ecological processes. Bioengineered BMPs rely on biological, physical, and
+ More cost-effective than building end-of-pipe treatment facilities. chemical processes to reduce and treat runoff.
+ Reduces combined sewer overflows. ˙ SM.10 Use Bioretention (Reduce, Detain, Treat)
+ Improves water quality. ˙ SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands (Reduce, Detain, Treat)
+ Improves urban hydrology and provides other environmental benefits.
+ Could result in cost savings by downsizing storm sewer infrastructure.
+ Easy to retrofit into existing public right-of-ways. INTEGRATION
LIMITATIONS ˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis
− Increases construction costs and requires periodic maintenance. ˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation
− Existing regulatory barriers may need to be overcome to permit implementation ˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
of certain BMPs. ˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
− Objections may result because of conventional aesthetic expectations. ˙ PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements
BACKGROUND ˙ SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations
In new right-of-way construction or reconstruction, seek to optimize management of ˙ SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts
small, large, and extreme storm events to minimize damage to property and aquatic ˙ SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets
ecosystems. Use localized stormwater management BMPs within or adjacent to the
right-of-way to achieve the following objectives:
˙ Reduce Reduce runoff quantity through promoting infiltration and ˙ SM.10 Use Bioretention
evapotranspiration so that less water enters the sewer system and is discharged ˙ SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands
into receiving waters. ˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning
˙ Detain Temporarily store runoff until after major storms to reduce peak demand ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
on the sewer system, reduce combined sewer overflows, and minimize damage to ˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
receiving waters.
˙ Treat Remove stormwater constituents that cause water pollution.
124
TECHNICAL STRATEGIES Design

Configure right-of-way to direct stormwater to BMPs:
Site evaluation ˙ Design right-of-way grading, curb profile, and storm sewer infrastructure to direct
stormwater towards BMPs within and adjacent to the right-of-way.
Conduct soil analysis (SA.2), and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis. (SA.3)
Size BMPs appropriately:
Evaluate site, considering the following issues:
˙ Use data from soil analysis and hydrologic and hydraulic analysis in the
˙ Drainage master plan and regulatory requirements. (SM.1)
determination of BMP sizing. (SA.2, SA.3)
˙ Size and soil characteristics of drainage catchment area. (SA.2)
˙ Existing storm sewer infrastructure. ˙ Seek to capture, retain, treat, and facilitate either infiltration or evapotranspiration
of all small storms, or 90% of average annual storm runoff volume. The New York
˙ Water volume and pollutant concentrations after different sized storm events. (SA.3)
State Department of Environmental Conservation refers to this quantity as the
˙ Contribution of site’s runoff to combined sewer overflows.
‘Water Quality Volume,’ while other municipalities refer to it as the highly polluted
˙ Physical limit of the right-of-way and site’s suitability for BMPs. (SA.1)
‘first flush’ (typically the first 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches of rainwater).
˙ Existing and future land use and right-of-way use.
˙ Seek to retain or detain, and treat runoff from large storms (once a year storms or
˙ Opportunities to incorporate BMPs into adjacent landscapes, open spaces or
greater), and then slowly facilitate evapotranspiration, infiltration, or conveyance.
properties. (LA.1, SS.5)
This will help reduce peak flows, combined sewer overflows, and damage to
˙ Proximity to significant natural resources.
aquatic ecosystems.
˙ Public safety and community acceptability.
˙ Provide conveyance and flood control for extreme storm events.
˙ Short and long-term maintenance requirements.
˙ See individual BMPs for more details. Use pretreatment:
Planning ˙ Use pretreatment to remove large sediments, salts, hydrocarbons and debris from
stormwater as it moves towards downstream BMPs.
General considerations: ˙ Use above ground pretreatment, including vegetated filters and swales, and buffer
˙ Begin planning BMPs as early in the process as possible. strips. (SM.5)
˙ Consider constructing BMPs when conducting right-of-way rehabilitation, ˙ Use catch basin inserts or water quality inlets to pretreat stormwater entering the
econstruction, or new construction. storm sewer. (SM.6, SM.7)
˙ Consider incorporating BMPs into landscaped medians, planting strips, shoulders,
traffic islands, bulbouts, traffic calming features, etc. Prioritize the use of bioengineered BMPs:
˙ Consider incorporating BMPs into spaces adjacent to the right-of-way, including ˙ At a minimum, make all landscapes, ‘absorbent landscapes.’ (LA.3)
open spaces, parks, abandoned lots, etc. (SS.5, LA.1) ˙ In street reconstruction projects, integrate bioretention areas or constructed
˙ Prioritize the use of bioengineered BMPs. See Design section. wetlands into existing landscaped areas, traffic calming measures, adjacent open
spaces, etc. (SS.5, LA.1, SM.1, SM.10, SM.11)
Design systems to manage the ‘entire spectrum’ of rainfall events: 135 ˙ Tailor bioengineered BMPs to reduce, detain and treat runoff as necessary
˙ Seek to eliminate runoff from small rainfall events (the majority, or 90% of all storms). depending on site characteristics and stormwater management needs. (SM.10, SM.11)
˙ Seek to detain, treat and slowly release large storms (once a year storms or greater). ˙ Design bioengineered BMPs to enhance streetscape aesthetics, property value,
˙ Provide conveyance and flood control for extreme storms. habitat, and air quality.
˙ Incorporate BMPs into drainage systems where possible. ˙ See individual BMPs for details. (SM.10, SM.11)
Use lifecycle cost analysis: Analyze lifecycle costs to determine the relative cost Use structural BMPs:
effectiveness and environmental benefits of competing options for controlling and ˙ Where bioengineered BMPs are unfeasible or undesirable, use structural BMPs to
treating stormwater. See City Process section. reduce, detain, and treat runoff. (SM.8, SM.9)
˙ If surface space is limited, consider locating structural BMPs underground.
˙ See individual BMPs for details. (SM.8, SM.9)
135
For a detailed methodology for managing the ‘complete spectrum’ of rainfall events, consult,
Stormwater Planning: A guidebook for British Columbia.
125
Plan for maintenance:

˙ Establish contract language and financial incentives or penalties to ensure regular
and long-term maintenance.
˙ Consider involving community groups in routine maintenance and upkeep. Develop
flexible maintenance contracts to encourage participation. (SS.1)
˙ Develop enforceable specifications or guidelines for monitoring and maintaining BMPs.
Construction
Employ proper construction practices and sequencing: Construction practices heavily
influence the longevity and performance of stormwater management BMPs.
˙ Mark and rope off area surrounding bmp prior to construction. (CP.1)
˙ Prevent soil compaction. (CP.2, CP.3)
˙ Use low ground pressure (LGP) equipment.
˙ See Construction Practices section for more details.
Avoid sedimentation during construction:

˙ If possible, construct BMPs after site is completely stabilized.
˙ Ensure that no runoff enters BMPs before the site is stabilized.
˙ Do not use BMPs as temporary sediment traps during construction.
˙ Use diversion berms, hay bales, or silt fences to protect BMPs or existing systems
prior to construction.
˙ Ensure that truck washing occurs away from BMPs.
˙ Place excavated material downstream and away from BMPs.
˙ See “Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas” (CP.2) and “Protect Water Sources
During Construction” (CP.3) for more details.
Conduct final inspection and testing: After site is stabilized, inspect and test BMPs to
ensure proper operation.
˙ Require the submission of an as-built drawing.
Maintenance and Monitoring

Post construction testing and monitoring:
˙ Conduct periodic monitoring for up to two years after construction.
Monitoring and periodic inspection: Conduct periodic inspections of BMPs, especially after
major storm events. Perform annual inspections. See Individual BMPs for inspection
details. Always inspect for the following:
˙ Structural soundness.
˙ Obstruction of inlets, valves, etc. Proposed Neighborhood Green Corridor – Bronx, NY
˙ Flooding or ponding. The Neighborhood Green Corridor has the goal of transforming an oversized roadway into an attractive
˙ Erosion, sedimentation and channelization. pedestrian thoroughfare while providing onsite stormwater management for up to a ten-year design
˙ Full drainage within acceptable time period (less than 24 hours). storm, as well as a range of safety, environmental and health benefits – both locally and regionally. See
example in Part I for more details.
˙ Algae, stagnation or odors.
˙ Vandalism.
126
Periodic maintenance: Federal Highway Administration

˙ Develop and document an operations and maintenance plan. Stormwater Best Management Practices in an
˙ Establish contract language or financial mechanisms to ensure adequate Ultra-Urban Setting: Selection and Monitoring.
maintenance. FHWA-EP-00-002
˙ Perform BMP maintenance in conjunction with other planned right-of-way
maintenance activities.
˙ Regularly clean out BMPs, especially after major storms. Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
˙ Clean pretreatment and overflow structures at least twice annually. ‘Road Drainage, Design Alternatives and Maintenance’
˙ Establish a dry period if performance decrease is observed. In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
˙ Take corrective action immediately if ponding or flooding occurs.
˙ See individual BMPs for more details.
____.
example In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
Seattle Public Utilities recently constructed a bioengineered stormwater management http://www.infraguide.ca
demonstration project called the ‘Street Edge Alternative’ to test new approaches to
on-site stormwater management and streetscape improvement. The reconstructed New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
Street Edge Alternative street has 11% less impervious pavement surface than a New York Harbor Water Quality Report
traditional street, provides surface detention in small vegetated swales, and contains New York City: NYCDEP, July 2003
over 100 new evergreen trees and 11000 shrubs. The Street Edge Alternative street http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/hwqs2002.pdf
not only controls and treats 95% of stormwater from up to a two-year storm, it also Pratt, C.J.
cost 20% less to build than a conventional street and offers a range of social and Sustainable Urban Drainage. A Review of Published Material
environmental benefits. on the Performance of Various SUDS Devices
London: Coventry University and the Environment Agency, 2001
Seattle Public Utilities is also partnering with Seattle Housing Authority to construct http://www.ciria.org/suds/pdf/suds_review_jan02.pdf
a natural drainage system for a 129 acre housing redevelopment – one of Seattle’s
Technology Acceptance and Reciprocity Partnership (TARP)
largest redevelopments in recent history – located in the threatened Longfellow Creek Stormwater Management BMPs Demonstration Protocols. 2004
Watershed. The natural drainage system integrates 22,000 linear feet of bioretention http://www.calepa.ca.gov/CalCert/Protocols/Stormwater.pdf
swales into the right-of-way, providing both storage and infiltration for stormwater
from surrounding blocks. Once built, the natural drainage system will provide water Urban Drainage and Flood Control District
quality treatment for the 6-month storm and attenuate the two-year, 24-hour storm Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual, Volume 3- BMPs
Denver: Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, 1992
to pre-developed pasture conditions, resulting in substantially improved water quality
compared to conventional drainage infrastructure.
references
California Environmental Protection Agency
Technology Acceptance and Reciprocity Partnership
Stormwater Management BMPs Demonstration Protocols.
California: CEPA, 2004
http://www.calepa.ca.gov/CalCert/Protocols/Stormwater.pdf
Storm Water Management for Construction Activities
Document No. EPA 832/R-92-005, September 1992
127
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.5 USE VEGETATED FILTERS AND BUFFER STRIPS
SM.5 TECHNICAL STRATEGIES

Use buffer strips: Buffer strips are thin zones consisting of gravel or pervious pavement
USE VEGETATED FILTERS

that filter, slow and evenly spread stormwater that is heading towards downstream
BMPs.
AND BUFFER STRIPS

˙ Use buffer strips to reduce the impact of de-icing procedures and sedimentation on
downstream BMPs.
˙ Use buffer strips before vegetated filter strips and other BMPs to prevent
channelization and erosion.
˙ Integrate buffer strips with the design of sidewalks, curbs and other features.
OBJECTIVE
Use surface pretreatment BMPs – including buffer strips and vegetated filters and Use vegetated filter strips or swales: Vegetated filter strips are evenly sloped vegetated
swales – to remove sediments, salts, pollution, and debris, and to reduce, slow, and areas that filter stormwater by passing it in sheets towards downstream BMPs.
evenly distribute stormwater heading towards downstream BMPs. ˙ Plant with low-maintenance herbaceous species that are tolerant of periodic
inundation, salt and other pollutants. (LA.12)
˙ Consider the use of weirs or down gradient berms to enhance control of
BENEFITS runoff. (LA.6)
+ Provides water treatment and control for a small cost increase over conventional Planning and Design
earthmoving.
+ Considerably easier and less expensive to maintain than downstream BMPs. ˙ Determine the volume of the design storm and size of drainage catchment area.
+ Improves performance and reduces maintenance costs of downstream BMPs. ˙ If possible and feasible for the site, plan to control and treat the entire water quality
+ Suitable for any soil type and site configuration. design storm.
+ Effective at roadway shoulders, medians and other right-of-way applications. ˙ If necessary, design an overflow or bypass structure to divert excessive volumes
+ Efficiently improves quality and control of stormwater in small spaces. from large storms and prevent channelization, erosion, and flooding.
+ Enhances aesthetics if well landscaped. ˙ Design pretreatment to have a gentle slope towards the downstream BMP.
˙ Design as much treatment length as possible in the direction of the water flow.
˙ If soil and site conditions are suitable, design pretreatment BMPs to infiltrate a
LIMITATIONS portion of the stormwater. (SA.2, SA.3, SS.9)
− Requires regular maintenance to avoid build-up of litter and debris. ˙ Use vegetation that can withstand both inundation and drought conditions. (LA.12)
− Limited effectiveness in treating high volume flows.
− Vegetated filtration may become less effective in winter months. Construction
˙ Ensure evenly compacted and level soil surface.
˙ Prevent excessive soil compaction if designed for infiltration. Use low ground
integration pressure (LGP) excavation equipment. Mark and rope off infiltration areas prior to
˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis construction. (CP.1 to CP.3)
˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning Operations and Maintenance
˙ SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations ˙ Periodically mow grasses and remove successional vegetation.
˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage ˙ Avoid the use of herbicides and fertilizers. (LA.12, LA.14)
˙ SM.8 Use Detention Structures ˙ Periodically remove excess sediment to maintain treatment capability.
˙ SM.9 Use Infiltration Structures ˙ Patch bare spots and eliminate channels and rills at least twice annually.
˙ LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.5 USE VEGETATED FILTERS AND BUFFER STRIPS
references
City of Seattle
Stormwater Treatment Technical Requirements Manual – 2000
Stormwater Best Management Practices in an Ultra-Urban Setting:
Selection and Monitoring. FHWA-EP-00-002. Washington, D.C.: FHWA, 2000
“Source and On-Site Controls for Municipal Drainage Systems”
Metropolitan Council
Urban Small Sites Best Management Practice Manual
St. Paul: Metropolitan Council, 2003
http://www.metrocouncil.org/environment/Watershed/BMP/manual.htm
Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
Riverdale Country School, Lower Campus – Bronx, New York Volume V - Runoff Treatment BMPs. Olympia, WA, WSDOE, 2001
A rock-lined infiltration trench near the playground promotes natural hydrology and provides an http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/Manual%20PDFs/searchable_file.pdf
educational resource.
EXAMPLE
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently constructed a bioretention
basin with two levels of pretreatment at the Newark Liberty International Airport.
Adjacent to the road is pervious paver buffer strip that removes coarse sediments,
debris, and salt from runoff. A grass filter strip is located down gradient and
surrounds the bioretention area, further enhancing filtration and debris removal.
Any residual storm water runoff from the bioretention basin is then directed to
an infiltration trench composed of gravel and topped with pea gravel. The entire
treatment system represents a significant enhancement to the aesthetics and
functionality of the airport’s right-of-way.
Newark Liberty International Airport – Newark, New Jersey

Pictured in the foreground is the permeable paver buffer strip followed by the grass filter strip.
The diversely-planted infiltration trench is located in the middle ground.
129
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.6 USE CATCH BASIN INSERTS
SM.6 integration
USE CATCH BASIN ˙

˙
SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets
INSERTS
OBJECTIVE
Install catch basin inserts into existing catch basins to enhance onsite treatment of TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
runoff.
Selection of catch basin inserts (CBI’s):
˙ Consider the use of CBI’s that are designed with an overflow to allow peak
BENEFITS volumes of runoff from major storm events to bypass treatment, thus minimizing
+ Easy to install in existing catch basins. resuspension of sediments and debris.
+ Easier to maintain than cleaning catch basins, and could be less expensive. ˙ Select CBI’s based on pollutant removal needs for the site, as well as design storm
+ Cost effective method of improving catch basin treatment efficiency. and overflow needs.
+ Effective at filtering sediments, debris, hydrocarbons and other pollutants. ˙ Consider maintenance requirements when selecting CBI’s.
+ Designers can choose among a variety of models based on a site’s specific pollutant ˙ Use catch basin inserts as pretreatment for downstream BMPs.
removal priorities.
Use inserts as temporary sedimentation traps during construction. (CP.3)
+ Effective for use as temporary sediment control devices during construction.
+ Could be maintained by community groups, business improvement districts or Operations and Maintenance
private citizens.
Maintain as frequently as possible for best results: Studies suggest that increased
maintenance significantly improves catch basin insert performance. A study of 60
LIMITATIONS catch basins in Alameda County, California, found that annual sediment removed per
inlet was 54 pounds for cleaning at a frequency of once annually, 70 pounds for semi-
− Improper maintenance will result in re-suspension of sediments, hydrocarbons and annual cleaning, and 160 pounds for monthly cleaning. For catch basins located in
other pollutants. industrial areas, monthly cleaning increased total annual sediment collection six times
− May require more frequent maintenance compared to catch basin sump size. compared to once a year cleaning (180 pounds versus 30 pounds).136
Background Conduct a catch basin pilot study: Identify a pilot project area and monitor the
effectiveness of catch basins maintained at varying frequencies. Record and analyze
Catch basin inserts are pre-manufactured units that mount directly into the frame the amount of material removed.
of catch basins. They work by filtering debris and large sediment particles from
stormwater entering into the catch basin, and can also include an oil absorbent Determine optimal maintenance schedule: Analyze the costs of increased maintenance
material to remove hydrocarbons. Catch basin inserts come in three basic types: 1) against the benefits of improved pollutant removal. Use GIS to optimize the schedule
Inserts consisting of a series of trays, with a sediment trap on top and varying media and frequency of catch basin maintenance.
filters below; 2) Inserts composed of filter fabric. 3) Inserts consisting of a plastic
Additional considerations:
box that filters water and traps debris. Each of these devices has a smaller volume
˙ Develop and implement an operations and maintenance plan.
compared to the size of the catch basin sump (up to 60% of the sump volume),
˙ Remove sediment and debris at least twice annually, but preferably after every two
requiring more frequent maintenance. However, catch basin inserts are far easier
or three major storms, to prevent clogging and resuspension.
to maintain the an sumps, and they provide significant water quality improvement
benefits if well maintained. 136
See the Center for Watershed’s Catch Basin Fact Sheet and also its article ‘The Value of More Frequent
Cleanouts of Storm Drain Inlets.’
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.6 USE CATCH BASIN INSERTS
˙ Perform more frequent maintenance for inserts that remove oil and grease. Washington, D.C.: FHWA, 2000
˙ Perform more frequent maintenance in industrial or highly trafficked areas. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ultraurb/
˙ Properly dispose of waste according to all relevant guidelines. Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
˙ Prevent cement trucks from washing out into catch basins. “Source and On-Site Controls for Municipal Drainage Systems”
˙ Always clean catch basin inserts after chemical, oil or other spills occur. In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
˙ Ensure proper training of individuals responsible for CBI cleaning. Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council, 2003
˙ Consider working with community groups to maintain catch basin inserts. http://www.infraguide.ca
Metropolitan Council. Urban Small Sites Best Management Practice Manual
EXAMPLE St. Paul: Metropolitan Council, 2003
The Port of Seattle has compared maintenance requirements and costs using catch Washington State Department of Ecology
basin inserts versus cleaning the catch basin sump directly without an insert. The Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
study concluded that catch basin inserts allowed for much easier, faster and cheaper Volume V - Runoff Treatment BMPs.
cleaning of catch basin sumps. It estimated that one person could clean 18 inserts Olympia, WA, WSDOE, 2001
in 90 minutes, while it would take two vacuum truck operators about three hours to http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/Manual%20PDFs/searchable_file.pdf
clean 18 sumps.
A Seattle based not-for-profit organization called Planet CPR began a program called
‘Grate Mates’ in 1998 to encourage community volunteers to install and maintain
catch-basin inserts in parking lots and other locations. A tax deduction encourages
local businesses to purchase and maintain the catch basin, and the group offers an
expense stipend to other volunteer groups to encourage participation. The program
has resulted in the installation and regular maintenance of thousands of catch basin
inserts in the Puget Sound watershed. Participants in the program remark that it is an
excellent way to engage community members, especially children, in environmental
stewardship.
references
“A Grate Step Towards Public Involvement”
Stormwater: The Journal for Surface Water Quality Professionals
2001
http://www.forester.net/sw_0101_profile_grate.html
Center for Watershed Protection
“Pollution Prevention Fact Sheets: Catch Basins”
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Pollution_Prevention_Factsheets/CatchBasins.htm
City of Seattle
Stormwater Treatment Technical Requirements Manual
2000
“Post-Construction Storm Water Management in New Development & Redevelopment”
http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofBMPs/post_7.cfm
FHWA-EP-00-002
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.7 USE WATER QUALITY INLETS

Oil and grit separators: Oil/Grit separators are underground structures that can be
USE WATER QUALITY

retrofitted into the existing storm sewer conveyance system, within the space of a
conventional manhole cover, to remove sediments and hydrocarbons from the runoff
of small drainage catchment areas. Most designs consist of three or more chambers
INLETS that work to settle sediments and particulate matter, screen debris, and remove oils
from stormwater.
˙ Use oil and grit separators to treat runoff from parking lots.
OBJECTIVE
Underground media filters: Underground media filters use either sand or compost filter
Use water quality inlets – including oil and grit separators, media filters, and high- media to settle, filter and absorb pollutants. Most underground media filters employ
volume treatment proprietary devices – to treat the highly polluted water quality these basic components:
volume of the design storm. 1. Forebay - Removes large sediments and debris.
2. Sand bed - Filters water and removes fine sediments and other pollutants.
BENEFITS 3. Underdrain - Slowly discharges treated runoff to the municipal storm sewer.
4. Overflow System - allows water to bypass filtration during large storms.
+ Standardized designs are able to be integrated into preexisting infrastructure.
+ Water quality inlets have long lifecycles if well maintained. High-volume proprietary treatment devices: Many high-volume proprietary treatment
+ Effective at removing suspended solids, metals, hydrocarbons, phosphorus, devices exist, and some could be applicable to the New York City right-of-way.
insoluble organics, and other pollutants. Treatment devices work in a variety of ways and can be selected based on pollutant
+ Suitable for any soil type and hydrogeologic condition. removal needs and effectiveness, and available space.
+ Well suited for small spaces within or adjacent to urban right-of-ways. ˙ Consider undertaking a pilot program to test proprietary treatment devices in
various settings.
LIMITATIONS Design
− May be costly if substantial underground construction work is required. ˙ Configure water quality inlets off-line or use flow-splitters to divert large storm
− Requires long-term routine maintenance. volumes and to avoid excessive pollutant loading and damage.
− Damage or repeated disruption to surrounding pavements could compromise the ˙ Select water quality inlets and sizes based on pollutant removal needs, available
structural integrity or performance of water quality inlets. space, size of water quality volume and drainage catchment area, additional
− Treatment during peak flows may be reduced. detention needs, and the desired discharge rate.
− Less environmentally beneficial than bioengineered BMPs, which offer residual ˙ Design water quality inlets to empty completely between storm events, preferably
benefits of improving streetscape aesthetics, cleaning air, providing habitat, etc. after 24 hours.
˙ Design water quality inlets for easy access and maintenance.
integration ˙ Consider designing shutoff mechanisms for use during maintenance and for
emergency shutoff.
˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning ˙ Use catch basin inserts as pretreatment. (SM.6)
˙ SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts Construction
˙ SM.8 Use Detention Structures ˙ Avoid sedimentation of water quality inlets during construction. Ensure that no
˙ SM.9 Use Infiltration Structures runoff enters until construction is completed and site is stabilized. (CP.3)
˙ SM.10 Use Bioretention ˙ Prevent cement trucks from washing out into catch basins.
˙ SM.11 Use Constructed Wetlands ˙ Construct water quality inlets to be completely watertight.
˙ Conduct a final inspection and testing to ensure that water quality inlets are
functioning properly.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.7 USE WATER QUALITY INLETS
Operations, Maintenance and Monitoring Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council
”Source and On-Site Controls for Municipal Drainage Systems”
Periodic maintenance: In National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure
˙ Develop and implement an operations and maintenance plan. Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council, 2003
˙ Record and analyze the amount of material removed from BMPs to optimize http://www.infraguide.ca
frequency of maintenance.
˙ Inspect and clean out water quality inlets several times annually (preferably at ”Constructed Wetlands”
least four times per year) and after major storm events to prevent clogging and re- Chapter 3 in Urban Small Sites Best Management Practice Manual
suspension. St. Paul: Metropolitan Council, 2003
˙ Perform more frequent maintenance for inlets that remove oil and grease. http://www.metrocouncil.org/environment/Watershed/BMP/manual.htm
˙ Perform cleaning when inlets are completely drained.
˙ Always clean water quality inlets after chemical, oil or other spills occur.
˙ Dispose of cleanout waste appropriately. Trenton: NJDEP, 2004
Periodic testing:
˙ Test filtration and discharge rates annually. Washington State Department of Ecology
˙ If discharge time changes significantly, inspect components and take necessary Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
corrective measures. Volume V - Runoff Treatment BMPs
Olympia, WA, WSDOE, 2001
˙ Inspect structural components annually.
EXAMPLE
The Alexandria Department of Transportation installed and monitored a sand filter in a
parking lot near Reagan National Airport in Alexandria, Virginia. The goal was to treat
runoff from the lot as part of an effort to comply with the requirements of the Virginia
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and the Stormwater Management Act. Removal
efficiencies for Total Phosphorus (60 to 70%) and Total Nitrogen (32 to 52%) were
high compared to other similar filter studies.
references
Alexandria Department of Transportation
Airpark Sand Filter Monitoring Evaluation
http://www.bmpdatabase.org/pdfs/1707465841.pdf
City of Seattle
Stormwater Treatment Technical Requirements Manual
2000
FHWA-EP-00-002.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.8 USE DETENTION STRUCTURES

Planning and Design
USE DETENTION ˙ Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic analysis. (SA.3)
STRUCTURES
˙ Determine detention structure size and configuration based on available space, size
of drainage area and design storm, desired discharge rate, and additional storage
capacity needs. Detention structure should empty out completely between storm
events, preferably after 24 hours.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Design an overflow, splitter, or bypass structure to divert excessive volumes from
large storms.
Use underground detention structures – made from reinforced concrete, ˙ Use pretreatment BMPs prior to detention. (SM.5 to SM.7)
pre-manufactured corrugated metal, plastic pipe, etc – to temporarily attenuate ˙ Install detention tanks at a slight slope to facilitate complete drainage.
and store runoff during peak flow periods. ˙ If placed under a roadway, design detention structures to withstand heavy loads
from vehicles and trucks.
˙ Maintain a minimum distance between detention structures and adjacent buildings
BENEFITS or properties.
+ Reduces combined sewer overflows (CSOs). ˙ Avoid positioning detention facilities on steep slopes (greater than 15%).
+ Reduces flooding, and lessens damage to receiving waters. ˙ If necessary, provide water-tight access chambers and/or cleanouts to allow for easy
+ Improves water quality by detaining the storm’s highly polluted first flush. maintenance and monitoring. Avoid designing detention systems under structures
+ Effective for use in urban areas with high land values and limited space for that cannot be excavated.
surface BMPs.
+ Easy to incorporate into right-of-way retrofits. Construction
˙ Avoid sedimentation of detention structures during construction. (CP.3)
˙ Conduct a final inspection and testing to ensure that the detention structure is
LIMITATIONS working properly.
− Offers only minimal treatment benefits onsite. ˙ Use recycled and reclaimed materials. (PA.6)
− Requires periodic maintenance to maintain performance.
− Must be located in areas that will allow easy access for maintenance. Operations, Maintenance and Monitoring
− Less environmentally beneficial than bioengineered BMPs, which offer residual ˙ Develop an operations and maintenance plan.
benefits of improving streetscape aesthetics, cleaning air, providing habitat, etc. ˙ Periodically clean out sediments and debris. Avoid sending sediment downstream
during cleaning process.
integration ˙ Periodically inspect structural integrity of detention structure and inlets/outlets.
Perform repairs as necessary.
˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage EXAMPLEs
˙ SM.5 Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips The City of Philadelphia Office of Watersheds – as part of an ambitious plan to reduce
˙ SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts combined sewer overflows – is converting vacant lots throughout the city into small
˙ SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets ‘stormwater parks.’ The Office of Watersheds utilized GIS mapping to identify high-
risk drainage catchment areas; they determined that converting vacant lots in certain
areas into stormwater parks could incrementally reduce the frequency of combined
sewer overflows. Each stormwater park contains small scale treatment and detention
structures to manage the runoff from the lot, and if possible from surrounding areas.
The Office of Watersheds worked with local community groups in the design of the
park environment, including seating, play areas, murals and landscaping. The result
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.8 USE DETENTION STRUCTURES
is not only a cost-effective solution to managing stormwater runoff and reducing

CSOs, but also the creation of valuable public open space, which improves quality
of life for residents, improves environmental quality, increases property values, and
encourages urban revitalization.
references
Atlanta Regional Commission
Georgia Stormwater Management Manual
Volume 2, Section 3.4.3
http://www.georgiastormwater.com/vol2/3-4-3.pdf
City of Seattle
“Design Specifications for Detention Facilities”
Chapter 2 in Flow Control Technical Requirements Manual – 2000
Stormwater Best Management Practices in an Ultra-Urban Setting:
Selection and Monitoring
FHWA-EP-00-002
Federation of Canadian Municipalities and National Research Council”
Source and On-Site Controls for Municipal Drainage Systems”
”Constructed Wetlands”
Chapter 3 in Urban Small Sites Best Management Practice Manual
“Detention Facilities”’
Chapter 3 in Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
Volume V - Runoff Treatment BMPs
Vacant lot transformed into stormwater park - Philadelphia, PA.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.9 USE INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
SM.9
bedrock, and a small drainage catchment area. If the possibility exists to incorporate
landscaping into the infiltration structure, see “Use Bioretention.” (SM.10)
integration
Use Infiltration ˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis.
structures ˙ SA.3
˙ SM.1
˙ SM.3
Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations
OBJECTIVE ˙ SM.5 Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips
˙ SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts
Use surface and underground infiltration structures – including trenches, vaults/ ˙ SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets
galleries, injection wells, dry wells, leaching fields, etc – within or adjacent to the
right-of-way to reduce stormwater runoff volumes and peak flows, improve water
quality, and promote groundwater recharge. Infiltration can also be employed in
bioengineered facilities. (SM. 7, SM.8)
BENEFITS TECHNICAL STRATEGIES

+ Effective at filtering metals, sediments, nutrients, bacteria, organics and oxygen Site evaluation
demanding substances.
Conduct soil and hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and research site’s history.
+ Effective for use in small spaces.
(SA.1 to SA.3) An experienced geotechnical engineer should verify the site’s suitability for
+ Effective for use under parking lots, ball-fields, etc. Popular with commercial and
infiltration and should recommend a design infiltration rate. Ensure that site meets the
industrial developers because they use up little or no developable area.
following criteria:
+ Reduces run-off volumes and peak flows, resulting in reduced combined sewer
overflow (CSO) events and improved hydrology. ˙ Minimum infiltration rate of 0.5 inches per hour.
+ May reduce the cost and size of downstream stormwater treatment facilities and ˙ Able to drain completely in time for the next storm, preferably within 24 hours.
infrastructure. ˙ Sufficient organic content and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) for the treatment of
anticipated pollutants.
˙ No contaminated soils.
LIMITATIONS ˙ Sub-grade maintains structural stability with extended saturation or head loading.
− Requires long-term periodic maintenance and monitoring to prevent clogging, ˙ Sufficient clearance from the top of the groundwater table, bedrock or impermeable
flooding, and premature failure. layer to the infiltration structure bottom.
− Potential for groundwater contamination exists and must be assessed prior to design. ˙ Sufficient clearance from building foundations, roads, subsurface infrastructure,
− Provides no visual enhancements to the right-of-way. drinking water wells, septic tanks, drain fields or other elements.
− Unsuitable for some urban sites because of impermeable or contaminated soil, or ˙ Will not violate groundwater quality standards or impact sensitive aquifers.
potential for infiltration into adjacent infrastructure or building foundations. ˙ Will not be harmed by de-icing procedures.
− Can develop gullies and erosion if poorly designed or maintained.
Planning and Design
Design: Infiltration structures include, but are not limited to, an excavated trench lined
Background with permeable filter fabric and filled with large stones (between 1 and 3 inches in
Infiltration structures temporarily store stormwater and enable slow percolation diameter). Runoff is conveyed in sheet flows across the top of the stones or from the
into the underlying soil, physically filtering runoff in the process and enabling soil outfall of a storm drain system. Additional design options include:
particles to absorb and biodegrade pollutants. Infiltration structures are well suited ˙ A top layer of pea gravel, separated by filter fabric, to enhance sediment removal
for urban sites with gentle slopes, permeable soils, relatively deep groundwater and and reduce maintenance needs and costs.
˙ A sand filtration layer at the bottom of the trench.
136
˙ An observation well to enable easy monitoring.

˙ A direct access chamber to allow for easy maintenance.
˙ An overflow or flow splitter to divert large storm events.
˙ An underdrain system with a shutoff valve to enable drainage if the trench has
become clogged, and to enable periodic dry periods.
˙ An emergency detention structure to detain excessive runoff volumes.
˙ A drain-rock reservoir to facilitate infiltration into subsoils.
Sizing: Size the void volume of the infiltration structure based on the size of the
drainage catchment, the design storm size, additional detention requirements, and
the infiltration rate of the trench media and surrounding soil. Base the trench surface
dimensions on the site topography, size and shape, and drainage path. Ensure that
drainage will be completed within 24 hours.
Use pretreatment: Use pretreatment to remove large sediments and debris, and to slow
down and distribute runoff. Ensure that exit velocities from pretreatment are non-
erosive.
˙ Use pretreatment buffer strips and/or vegetated filter strips if water is conveyed in
sheet flows. (SM.5)
˙ If water is conveyed through piping, use catch basin inserts or water quality inlets
as pretreatment. (SM 6, SM.7)
Riverdale Country School, Lower Campus – Bronx, New York
Cold climate considerations: If necessary, design infiltration structure so that the water Construction of recycled HDPE infiltrators below a parking lot.
volume resides below the seasonal frost line. Ensure that trench surface is kept clean
of compacted snow and ice. Improve de-icing procedures in surrounding areas. Operations, maintenance and monitoring
Periodic testing:
Construction
˙ Conduct periodic monitoring for up to two years after construction to ensure
Prevent soil compaction in infiltration areas: maintenance of infiltration rate.
˙ Mark and rope off infiltration areas prior to construction. (CP.1 to CP.3) ˙ Regularly inspect infiltration rate. Check observation wells 24 hours after a storm to
˙ Use low ground pressure (LGP) excavation equipment. determine if infiltration is occurring in a timely fashion.
Avoid sedimentation during construction:
˙ Construct infiltration structures after the site is completely stabilized. Periodic maintenance:
˙ If early construction is unavoidable, excavate to within one foot of the final bottom ˙ Develop and implement an operations and maintenance plan.
of the infiltration structure. Complete excavation after site is completely stabilized. ˙ Establish contract language or financial mechanisms to ensure adequate
˙ Ensure that no runoff enters infiltration area before the site is stabilized. maintenance.
˙ Place diversion berms, sod, and/or silt fences around infiltration area. (CP.3) ˙ Regularly remove grass clippings, weeds, sediment and debris from the top layer of
˙ Do not use infiltration structures as sediment traps during construction. aggregate to avoid clogging.
˙ Ensure that truck washing occurs away from infiltration area. ˙ Clean pretreatment and overflow structures at least twice annually.
˙ Place excavated material downstream and away from infiltration area. ˙ If infiltration rate is decreased significantly, establish an extended dry period to
restore infiltration capacity.
Other construction practices:
˙ If ponding occurs, take corrective action immediately.
˙ Prevent smearing of infiltration walls or floor. If smearing occurs, scarify with a rake
or other equipment.
˙ Ensure that the bottom of the infiltration trench is completely flat.
˙ Conduct final inspection and testing after site stabilization to ensure that the
infiltration structure is working properly.
137
EXAMPLE New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey built long, narrow infiltration Albany: NYDEC, 2001
structures as part of a right-of-way reconstruction at Newark Liberty International http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dow/swmanual/swmanual.html
Airport. Infiltration structures located between the right-of-way and large impervious Washington State Department of Ecology
parking areas are able to control and treat stormwater runoff from both areas while ‘Infiltration and Bio-infiltration Treatment Facilities’
taking up minimal space. Chapter 7 in Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
Volume V - Runoff Treatment BMPs
references http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/Manual%20PDFs/searchable_file.pdf
Center for Watershed Protection
Infiltration Trench Fact Sheet
Ellicott City, MD: Stormwater Managers Resource Center, 2004
http://www.stormwatercenter.net
City of Seattle
“Design Specifications for Bioengineered and Infiltration Facilities”
Chapter 3 in Flow Control Technical Requirements Manual. 200
Stormwater Best Management Practices in an Ultra-Urban Setting: Selection and Monitoring.
FHWA-EP-00-002
”Source and On-Site Controls for Municipal Drainage Systems”
“Stormwater Source Controls Preliminary Design Guidelines”
Vancouver: GVRD, 2004
Maryland Department of the Environment
“Construction Specifications for Infiltration Practices”
Appendix B.2 in Maryland Stormwater Design Manual
Baltimore: MDOE, 2000
http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/WaterPrograms/SedimentandStormwater/stormwater_design/index.asp
”Constructed Wetlands”
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.10 USE BIORETENTION
SM.10
physically and biologically filtered in the engineered soil layers. Bioretention offers
highly effective treatment of polluted urban runoff.
Use BioRetention Bioretention areas can be designed to allow for partial or full infiltration, if site
conditions are suitable. Alternatively, bioretention can be used for detention and
filtration only, with the entire design storm volume eventually discharging to the
municipal storm sewer via a perforated underdrain. Runoff from very large storm
OBJECTIVE events is either diverted completely or enters an overflow structure to avoid flooding.
Bioretention is an ideal BMP for highly urbanized areas because it can be designed
Design shallow swales and basins with diverse landscaping in an engineered to reduce, detain and treat runoff, and it can be retrofitted into small spaces like
soil medium to reduce, detain, and treat stormwater runoff. Depending on site medians, planting strips, traffic islands, and so on. Bioretention can also be used to
characteristics and stormwater management requirements, bioretention areas can be infiltrate and treat roof runoff.
designed either to convey runoff into the municipal storm sewer, to infiltrate runoff, or
to provide a combination of conveyance and infiltration.
integration
BENEFITS ˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis
+ Cost-effectively reduces runoff volume and peak flows, minimizing combined sewer ˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation
overflows. ˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
+ Environmental benefits exceed those of structural BMPs. Landscaping improves air ˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
quality, reduces noise pollution, and provides habitat for urban wildlife.
+ Engages natural systems to improve stormwater management.
+ Effective at removing sediments, metals, nutrients, bacteria, and organics.
+ Applicable at many scales and spatial configurations. Ideal for the constricted
spaces of the ultra-urban environment.
+ Flexible designs enable use in any soil type.
+ Low-maintenance and tolerant of urban conditions, if well designed. ˙ LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat
+ Appropriate soil construction, microbiology, and plant life can keep soil pores open ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
and indefinitely maintain infiltration capacity. ˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
+ Beautifies the urban environment, enhances quality of life, and increases property ˙ LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species
values. ˙ LA.13 Use Water-efficient Landscape Design
˙ LA.14 Practice Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
LIMITATIONS
− Requires periodic maintenance to ensure plant health and remove debris.
− Vegetation may become less effective at filtering pollutants during winter.
− Vegetation may become dormant and look dead during periods of drought.
Site Evaluation
˙ Determine if site configuration allows for bioretention.
background ˙ Conduct soil analysis. (SA.2)
Bioretention areas – similar to absorbent landscapes (LA.3) but more intensively ˙ Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic analysis. (SA.3)
engineered – are designed to capitalize on the ability of forest-shrub ecosystems ˙ Ensure that de-icing procedures will not harm bioretention area. (SM.2, CP.2, CP.3)
to capture, take up, and treat large volumes of stormwater. During storms, runoff ˙ Ensure that bioretention area will receive sufficient direct sunlight to maintain
temporarily ponds in the bioretention depression as it percolates through the mulch vegetation health (preferably 6 hours daily).
layer and engineered soil mix. Plantings physically filter stormwater above ground
and take up stormwater constituents through roots underground. Stormwater is also
139
Determine if infiltration is desired and feasible: Vegetation design:

An experienced geotechnical engineer should verify the site’s suitability for partial or ˙ Use Low-maintenance, salt and pollutant tolerant, native or naturalized species.
full infiltration. If feasible, decide whether partial or full infiltration will be used, and (LA.12)
determine a design infiltration rate. Ensure that site meets the following criteria: ˙ Plant with a diverse and dense cover to optimize treatment and to withstand
˙ Ensure that subsoil infiltration rate is a minimum of 0.5 inches per hour. environmental stresses (insects, disease, drought, flood, wind, and exposure).
˙ Able to drain completely in time for the next storm, preferably within 24 hours. ˙ Plant bioretention area to simulate an upland forest-shrub ecosystem.
˙ Sufficient organic content and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) for the treatment of ˙ In the heavily inundated zones, plant shrubs, herbaceous species, rushes sedges,
anticipated pollutants. and other species capable of wetter conditions and high pollutant uptake. Avoid
˙ No contaminated soils. planting trees in the wettest zones.
˙ Sub-grade maintains structural stability with extended saturation or head loading. ˙ Plant species in a random layout to simulate natural conditions.
˙ Sufficient clearance from the top of the groundwater table, bedrock or impermeable ˙ Make aesthetics a prime consideration in bioretention design.
layer to the infiltration structure bottom. ˙ Use hardy ground cover to minimize erosion and reduce the likelihood of
˙ Sufficient clearance from building foundations, roads, subsurface infrastructure, undesirable volunteer vegetation and the creation of walking trails.
drinking water wells, septic tanks, drain fields or other elements. ˙ Provide a mulch layer to retain moisture, minimize erosion, and avoid surface
˙ Will not violate groundwater quality standards or impact sensitive aquifers. sealing. (LA.10)
˙ Consider using grassed areas to enable multi-use bioretention facilities.
Planning and Design ˙ Minimize the use of turfgrass. (LA.11)
Use pretreatment: Use pretreatment to remove large sediments and debris, and to slow ˙ See “Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices” (LA.10) for more details.
down and distribute runoff. Ensure that exit velocities from pretreatment are non-
erosive. Sub-grade design:
˙ Use pretreatment buffer strips and/or vegetated filter strips if water is conveyed in ˙ Design underdrain system based on infiltration and conveyance needs.
sheet flows. (SM.5) ˙ Consider the use of a drain-rock reservoir to enhance storage for low infiltration rate
˙ If water is conveyed through piping, use catch basin inserts or water quality inlets sub-soils.
as pretreatment. (SM 6, SM.7) ˙ Install cleanouts at the upstream and downstream sides of the drainage pipe.
˙ Use at least 4’ depth of engineered planting soil.
Sizing: ˙ Design soil bed to support diverse biotic communities.
˙ Determine size of bioretention area based on site configuration and available area, ˙ Use filter fabric on the sides of the planting soil.
design storm size, and additional detention requirements. If appropriate for the site
and feasible, design bioretention area to hold entire design storm, plus additional Plan for maintenance:
detention requirements, without overflow. ˙ Establish contract language and financial incentives or penalties to ensure regular
˙ For streets with a gradient in excess of 5%, consider the use of check dams to and long-term maintenance.
slow the flow of stormwater and allow for greater infiltration and uptake of water by ˙ If privately owned, establish a long-term maintenance agreement with owner.
plants. ˙ Consider involving community groups in routine maintenance and upkeep. (SS.1)
Infiltration and conveyance considerations: Provide signage to educate public about bioretention.
˙ If no infiltration is to occur, design underdrain system with enough capacity to
convey the entire design storm volume without flooding or backup. Construction
˙ If it is determined that infiltration is desirable and feasible, decide what percentage Prevent soil compaction:
of water will be infiltrated vs. conveyed. ˙ Mark and rope off bioretention areas prior to construction. (CP.1 to CP.3)
˙ If only partial infiltration is to occur, design the underdrain system to convey the ˙ Use low ground pressure (LGP) excavation equipment.
remaining runoff to the municipal storm sewer.
˙ If full infiltration is desired, consider using an underdrain as an additional overflow Avoid sedimentation during construction:
system and emergency drainage system. ˙ Construct bioretention areas after the site is completely stabilized.
˙ Ensure that bioretention area is completely drained (whether through conveyance ˙ If early construction is unavoidable, excavate to within one foot of the final bottom
or infiltration) in time for the next storm, preferably within 24 hours. of the bioretention trench. Complete excavation after site is completely stabilized.
˙ Provide an overflow system to convey extreme storm events. ˙ Ensure that no runoff enters bioretention area before the site is stabilized.
140
˙ Place diversion berms or silt fences around infiltration area.

˙ Do not use bioretention areas as temporary sediment traps during construction.
˙ Ensure that truck washing or other cleaning occurs away from bioretention area.
˙ Place excavated material downstream and away from bioretention area.
Other construction practices:

˙ Prevent smearing of bioretention walls or bottom surface. If smearing occurs,
scarify with a rake or other equipment.
˙ Ensure that the bottom of the bioretention trench is completely flat.
˙ Conduct final inspection and testing after site stabilization to ensure proper
functioning.
˙ Irrigate bioretention landscape as necessary to establish plant health. (LA.10)
˙ See “Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices” (LA.10) for more details.
Monitoring and Maintenance

Post construction maintenance:
˙ Conduct irrigation as necessary during the first season to establish plant health.
˙ Conduct frequent inspections of vegetation during the first year of operation.
˙ Conduct periodic monitoring for up to two years after construction to ensure
maintenance of drainage rate.
˙ See “Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices” (LA.10) for more details. Proposed Neighborhood Green Corridor – Bronx, NY
Proposed bioretention area in a prototypical Neighborhood Green Corridor that will infiltrate and treat up
Periodic inspection: to a ten year design storm, as offer a range of safety, environmental and health benefits-both locally and
˙ Periodically test infiltration rate. Check observation wells 24 hours after a storm to regionally. Proposed design meets all NYC DOT & DEP standards. See example in Part I for more details.
determine if infiltration is occurring in a timely fashion.
˙ Undertake corrective maintenance if channelization or erosion has occurred.
˙ Inspect bottom of soil bed annually.
˙ If drainage rate is decreased significantly, consider redirecting runoff temporarily to
˙ Inspect for sedimentation build up quarterly and after major rainfalls.
establish an extended dry period, which can help to restore infiltration capacity.
˙ Inspect vegetation areas twice annually for general health, erosion and scour, and
˙ If ponding occurs for an extended period of time, take corrective action
invasive species propagation.
immediately.
˙ Ensure that road de-icing procedures do not impact vegetation health.
(CP.2, CP.3, SM.2)
EXAMPLE
Periodic maintenance:
˙ Develop and implement an operations and maintenance plan. A recent study by the Virginia Transportation Council evaluated a number of ultra-
˙ Establish contract language or financial mechanisms to ensure adequate urban stormwater best management practices including bioretention and three
maintenance. proprietary water quality inlets. In terms of total suspended solids (TSS) removal
˙ Conduct maintenance when the bioretention area is completely dry. efficiency, the study found that the bioretention area was the most cost-effective of the
˙ Regularly remove grass clippings, undesirable volunteer vegetation, sediment and BMPs monitored in the study. The bioretention BMP also had the lowest installation
debris. and maintenance costs.
˙ Clean pretreatment and overflow structures at least twice annually. The cities of Philadelphia and Seattle are currently implementing bioretention in right-
˙ Conduct mowing as necessary. of-way retrofits and large scale urban redevelopments. These cities have determined
˙ Avoid the use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Conduct Biointensive that bioretention is an extremely cost-effective approach to managing stormwater at
Integrated Pest Management. (LA.14) highly impervious sites in critical watersheds.
˙ Remove and recycle all green and woody waste. (CP.4)
141
references Stephens, Kim A., Patrick Graham, and David Reid

Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia
City of Seattle 2002
Flow Control Technical Requirements Manual http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/mpp/stormwater/stormwater.html
2000
Yu, Shaw L. and Monika D. Stopinski
Testing of Ultra-Urban Stormwater Best Management Practices
_____ Charlottesville: Virginia Transportation Research Council
“Basic Biofiltration Swale” 2001
Chapter 3.1 in Stormwater Treatment Technical Requirements Manual http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/01-r7.pdf
2000 (Page 35 to 54) http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofBMPs/post_4.cfm
Stormwater Best Management Practices in an Ultra-Urban Setting: Selection and Monitoring.
FHWA-EP-00-002
Washington, D.C.: FHWA
2000
Vancouver: GVRD
2004
Maryland Department of the Environment
“BMP Performance Criteria”’ and ‘”Landscaping Guidance”
Chapter 3 and Appendix A in Maryland Stormwater Design Manual
Baltimore: MDOE
2000
http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/WaterPrograms/SedimentandStormwater/stormwater_design/index.asp
“Bioretention”
St. Paul: Metropolitan Council
2003
“Standard for Bioretention Systems”
Chapter 9.1 in New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual
Trenton: NJDEP
2004
“Performance Criteria,” and “Landscape Guidance”
Chapter 6 and Appendix H in New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual
Albany: NYDEC
2001
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ˙ SM.11 USE CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS
SM.11
Use Constructed Wetlands ˙ SM.4

˙ SM.5
Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips
˙ SM.6 Use Catch Basin Inserts
˙ SM.7 Use Water Quality Inlets
OBJECTIVE ˙ LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat
Use constructed wetlands – permanent pools of water that are populated by wetland ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
plants and aquatic organisms – to reduce, detain and treat stormwater runoff. ˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
˙ LA.13
BENEFITS ˙ LA. 14
Use Water-efficient Landscape Design
Practice Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
+ Provides aesthetic enhancements and educational benefits. ˙ LA.15 Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along Shade-Light Continuum
+ Increases property values. ˙ CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan
+ Suitable for almost any soil type and hydrogeology. ˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
+ Highly effective at pollutant removal. ˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction
+ Relatively low maintenance costs.
+ Provides flood attenuation and reduces peak flows.
+ Possible to fit into small spaces, particularly ones already devoted to landscaping. TECHNICAL STRATEGIES
Site Assessment
LIMITATIONS
˙ Conduct soil analysis. (SA.2)
− Relatively high construction costs, compared to other BMPs. ˙ Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic analysis. (SA.3)
− Requires periodic maintenance to ensure plant health and remove debris. ˙ Consider whether site allows for large constructed wetlands or smaller wetland
− If improperly designed, can become a mosquito breeding ground or drowning variations. In general, the larger the wetland to drainage area ratio, the better the
hazard. treatment capacity.
˙ Locate on gently sloped sites.
background ˙ Ensure adequate base flow from drainage catchment area, groundwater, or other
source to maintain a permanent pool and sustain vegetation.
Constructed wetlands contain a permanent pool of water and have sufficient volume
and surface area to retain stormwater runoff for a relatively long residence time. Planning
Simulating natural wetland ecosystems, constructed wetlands are extremely effective Many constructed wetland design variations exist, but most have four zones
in improving water quality through the settling of pollutants and constituents as well consisting of varying water depths and vegetation types.137 Beginning with the
as biological uptake by vegetation and microorganisms. A number of design variations deepest zone, they are:
exist, differing in the relative amounts of shallow and deep water, and upland storage 1) Deep pool: Area with standing water depth of 4 to 6 feet. Provides the main area for
capacity. Constructed wetlands typically require more space than other BMPs, particle settling.
however design variations allow for wetlands in small spaces like right-of-way retrofits. 2) Low marsh: Area with standing water depth of 6 to 18 inches. Supports a variety of
emergent wetland species.
integration 3) High marsh: Shallower marsh area with standing water less than 6 inches deep.
Supports a greater density and diversity of emergent wetland species than low marsh.
˙ SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities 4) Semi-wet zones: Area located above the pool and marsh areas, which contains
˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis water only when inundated during storm events.
137
˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation Consult NYSDEC for requirements and approvals.
143
Constructed wetland designs differ in the configuration and proportional sizes and
volumes of these four zones. Typical designs include:
˙ Marsh wetlands: Primarily consist of low and high marshes with sinuous water flow
paths to increase retention time and treatment area. Marsh wetlands contain small
deep pool zones and have a shallow water depth, making them more land-intensive
than other designs and requiring a larger drainage catchment area to maintain base
flow.
˙ Pond wetlands: Primarily consist of one or more deep pools, with surrounding or
adjacent marsh zones that enhance treatment. Water flows into the deep pools first
and then flows through the marsh zones. Pond wetlands are capable of controlling
more runoff in a smaller space than marsh wetlands. Generally they have the
highest pollutant removal rates.
˙ Extended detention wetland: Extended detention wetlands are designed to store the
design storm water volume in the semi-wet zone above the permanent pond and
marsh areas. Water is typically stored for between 12 and 24 hours. The semi-wet
zone is planted with species that can tolerate frequent inundations and fluctuating
water levels. Extended detention wetlands are the most space-efficient design.
Design
General considerations:
˙ Use pretreatment to extend life of wetlands and reduce maintenance costs. (SM.5 - SM.7) Riverdale Country School-Upper Campus – Bronx, NY
˙ Include a forebay – a small pool located near the inlet – to pretreat runoff, settle out Constructed wetland provides bioretention accompanied by wet tolerant vegetation
coarse particles and debris, and reduce water velocity. Including a forebay helps
reduce the frequency and difficulty of maintenance. ˙ Choose diverse plant species adaptable to varying water depth, and tolerant of
˙ Design deep pool and marsh areas with an undulating topography of earth berms varying periods of inundation.
(6’ to 18’) to maximize the surface area and resident time of the flow path, and to ˙ Prioritize the use of native or naturalized perennial species that establish rapidly.
encourage plant diversity and microbiology. (LA.12)
˙ Include a small pond or ‘micropool’ near the outlet to reduce clogging and ensure ˙ Avoid invasive species and monoculture planting.
ease of maintenance. ˙ If possible, use field collected plants to enhance vitality and longevity of plantings.
˙ Shade the outlet area to avoid warming of water prior to discharge. Seed stock is preferable to clonal stock plantings.
˙ Design wetlands with a non-clogging outlet ˙ Alternate species of varying root depth for optimal pollutant removal.
˙ Ensure wetland stages have enough capacity to accommodate the design storm ˙ Consider the use of wetland mulch to enhance plant diversity and seed
without flooding and have adequate base flow to sustain vegetation establishment.
˙ Include an emergency spillway or overflow system to convey water from extreme ˙ Consider habitat needs for wildlife and aquatic organisms. Allow for a diverse
storm events. animal food chain to regulate mosquitoes.
˙ Consider effects of cold climate in designing wetlands. ˙ Ensure compliance with state and local environmental regulations.
˙ Consider including drain in pool areas to facilitate cleaning and emergency ˙ Carefully consider aesthetics.
drainage. ˙ See “Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices” (LA.10) for more details.
˙ Install valves at inlet and outlet to regulate flows.
˙ Design for easy maintenance. Design wetlands for small sites: The following constructed wetland types offer high
pollutant removal rates and can fit within small, existing landscaped areas in or
Landscape considerations: adjacent to the right-of-way. Both designs are best when accompanied by some form
˙ Develop a wetland landscaping plan providing detailed information about plant of pretreatment.
types, planting and maintenance strategies. ˙ Pocket wetlands: Reduced size wetlands with similar features to larger designs that
˙ Develop a plan to ensure continuous base flow of water in wetland. are often excavated down to the groundwater level to maintain a constant base flow.
144
˙ Submerged gravel wetlands: Constructed trenches filled with crushed rock and
supporting wetland species in a permanent pool of water. Gravel wetlands were
originally designed to treat wastewater, and work through physical filtration and
particle removal as stormwater flows through the vegetated zone, gravel, and
subsurface roots.
Construction
˙ Keep wetland area flooded after excavation. Avoid extended dry periods.
˙ Allow wetland to soak for an extended period to allow settlement.
˙ Drain wetland several weeks prior to planting to ensure proper grading. Modify
topography as necessary to ensure successful plant growth.
˙ Protect plantings from wildlife during establishment period.
Maintenance
Post construction monitoring:
˙ Perform multiple inspections and vigilant maintenance during the first two years.
This period is the most crucial to long-term wetland productivity.
˙ After the second growing season, inspect for adequate plant coverage and health.
Undertake corrective planting or maintenance as necessary.
˙ Monitor stability of varying depth zones.
˙ Monitor to ensure base flow of water.
˙ Observe distribution of vegetation. Make adjustments as necessary.
˙ Record, map and assess data from inspections.
Staten Island Bluebelt – Staten Island, NY
Periodic inspection and maintenance:
˙ Develop an operations and maintenance program.
˙ Inspect for and remove invasive vegetation regularly.
EXAMPLE
˙ Inspect for hydrocarbon and sediment buildup. The Staten Island Bluebelt is an award-winning program that provides ecologically
˙ Inspect inlet and outlet devices for clogging. sound and cost-effective storm water management for approximately one third of
Staten Island’s land area. The program preserves natural drainage corridors, called
Assess vegetation health / distribution. Perform corrective planting or Bluebelts, including streams, ponds, and other wetland areas. Preservation of these
maintenance if necessary. wetland systems allows them to perform their functions of conveying, storing, and
˙ Repair eroded areas. filtering storm water. In addition, the Bluebelts provide important community open
˙ Remove debris from inlets 3-4 times per year and after major storms. spaces and diverse wildlife habitats. The wetlands located within the watershed
˙ Perform mowing as necessary. areas act as flood control measures. By temporarily storing floodwaters, wetlands
˙ Remove sediment from forebay periodically. help protect adjacent and downstream property owners from flood damage. Urban
˙ Record, map and assess data from inspections. wetlands are especially valuable in this regard because the impervious surfaces
created by urbanization increase the rate, velocity and volume of surface water
runoff. The Bluebelt program saves tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure costs
(estimated at $50 million in 1999) when compared with the costs of providing miles
of conventional storm sewers to the same land area. This program demonstrates how
wetland preservation can be economically prudent, environmentally responsible, and
socially beneficial.
145
references
Post-Construction Storm Water Management in
New Development and Redevelopment
Washington D.C.: EPA, 2002
http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofBMPs/post_27.cfm
Stormwater Best Management Practices in an
Ultra-Urban Setting: Selection and Monitoring
FHWA-EP-00-002
“Bioretention”
“Standard for Constructed Wetlands”
Chapter 9.2 in New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/watershedmgt/ DOCS/BMP_DOCS/bmpfeb2004pdfs/feb2004chap9_2.pdf
“Performance Criteria,” and “Landscape Guidance”
Chapter 6 and Appendix H in New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual
Albany: NYDEC, 2001
The Stormwater Managers Resource Center
“Stormwater Management Fact Sheet: Stormwater Wetland”
http://www.stormwatercenter.net
“Submerged Gravel Wetlands”
Georgia Stormwater Management Manual
Volume 2 – Technical Handbook
(Pages 3.3-25 to 3.3-28)
http://www.georgiastormwater.com/vol2/3-3-5.pdf
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
147
LANDSCAPE
LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
LA.2 Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
LA.4 Use Structural Soils Where Appropriate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
LA.5 Amend Existing Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
LA.6 Perform Soil Berming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density, and Diversity of Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
LA.8 Plant Trees to Maximize Shading of Pavement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
LA.9 Plant Trees in Trenches or Continuous Soil Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
LA.10 Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
LA.11 Reduce Use of Turfgrass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species . . . . . . . . . 176
LA.13 Use Water-efficient Landscape Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
LA.14 Use Biointensive Integrated Pest Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
LA.15 Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along the Shade-Light Continuum . . . . . . 183
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.1 OPTIMIZE CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE PLANNING
LA.1
OPTIMIZE CITYWIDE ˙
˙
LA.7
LA.12
Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species
LANDSCAPE PLANNING ˙
˙
˙
LA.13
LA. 14
LA.15
Use Water-efficient Landscape Design
Practice Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along Shade-Light Continuum
OBJECTIVE Technical Strategies

Develop citywide standards, specifications, zoning regulations, processes, and Develop a municipal landscape ordinance: Develop and implement a citywide landscape
policies to encourage the proliferation of high-quality, attractive, and healthy ordinance that sets guidelines to encourage planting within the public right-of-way
landscapes. and throughout the City.
Standardize landscape specifications citywide: Develop a single set of landscape protection,

BENEFITS planting, soils and maintenance specifications for use by all City agencies undertaking
+ Increases the sustainability of urban landscapes. work within the public right-of-way.
+ Reduces capital investment and maintenance costs.
+ Reduces negative impacts on water quality by protecting sensitive site areas. Develop and maintain a tree data base: Using available citywide GIS maps, track tree
+ Reduces urban heat island effect, air pollution, and public health problems. planting and survival rates and areas of significant vegetation. This will assist with
+ Reduces economic and environmental costs associated with traditional landscape monitoring benefits of improved planting techniques and alert planners to tree
maintenance techniques. protection/mitigation strategies that may be required for future infrastructure projects.
+ Increases property values and quality of life.
+ Increases public awareness, participation, and sense of civic pride. Develop realistic landscape budgets: During planning and budgeting for an infrastructure
project, allow for sufficient funds to protect existing landscape features and
supplement with additional landscape improvements.
LIMITATIONS
− May add cost to projects. Develop and implement public education and awareness programs: Some landscape BMPs
− Requires public education (owner, contractor, agency, public) to revise current may result in an appearance different than what is traditionally expected in a public
practices, attitudes and expectations about the landscape. landscape. Meadows, unpruned native shrub masses and integrated pest management
− BMPs are site and project specific requiring upfront coordination to identify and techniques require education of the public, contractors and City management
advance landscape opportunities. personnel to appreciate the benefits of a non-traditional landscape. Some BMPs will
benefit from public participation in plant care to supplement City maintenance forces,
encourage more innovative practices and foster greater civic pride.
integration
Optimize planning of individual landscape projects:
˙ Assess site, larger environmental context and open space conditions. (SA.1)
˙ Evaluate existing or proposed right-of-way dimensions and alignment for
opportunities to implement BMPs.
˙ Seek to increase and improve right-of-way public space and green areas. (SS.5)
˙ Plan early for site protection and budget appropriately for landscape improvements.
˙ Develop effective contracting methods to ensure compliance with landscape
˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area planting and maintenance requirements.
˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning ˙ Monitor periodically for landscape health.
˙ SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations ˙ If possible, work with BIDs and engage community organizations in stewardship of
˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage public landscapes. (SS.1)
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.1 OPTIMIZE CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE PLANNING
EXAMPLES City of Philadelphia, University City District

“Public Space Maintenance”
In 1991, the City of Chicago developed a landscape ordinance that requires, and http://www.ucityphila.org
promotes innovative standards for, landscaping in parking lots, loading dock areas, City of Seattle, Department of Parks and Recreation
vehicular use areas, and all buildings adjacent to the right-of-way. The ordinance was Best Management Practices Manual – 2002
strengthened in 1999 with the addition of new requirements and stricter standards. The
goal of the Chicago landscape ordinance is to achieve ‘a greener, more attractive city; City of Vancouver
reduced heat, noise and air pollution; and increased property values.’ The ordinance Green Streets Program
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/streets/greenstreets/general.htm
requires shade tree and shrub plantings in the construction of any new building; any
addition or enlargement to an existing building if the construction exceeds 1,500 square Chicago Landscape Ordinance
feet; any repair or rehabilitation work of an existing principal building if the expense of http://www.newrules.org/environment/chiland.html
this work exceeds 50% of the structure’s replacement cost; construction of any parking Colorado Tree Coalition
area containing five or more spaces; and repair or expansion of existing parking areas “Benefits of Trees in Urban Areas”
if the number of spaces are increased by more than 25%. The landscape ordinance http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm
standardizes planting practices and is integrated with all building and zoning permit
Nowak, David J.
applications to ensure compliance. The cumulative effect of the landscape ordinance
USDA Forest Service
has been transformative for the city. According to Steve Berg of the Minneapolis
“The Effects of Urban Trees on Air Quality”
Star-Tribune, ‘few boulevards in the world can match the flower-bedecked splendor of Syracuse, NY
Michigan Avenue, and public beauty is spreading like a contagion down every street http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/syracuse/gif/trees.pdf
in the Loop and into the neighborhoods. No corner gas station is safe from decorative
lampposts and baskets of drooping geraniums. No surface parking lot can escape a Nowak, David J., Crane, Daniel E. and Dwyer, John F.
border of wrought-iron fencing and leafy canopies of newly planted trees.’138 For more “Compensatory Value of Urban Trees in the United States”
Journal of Arboriculture 28(4): July 2002
information see: http://www.newrules.org/environment/chiland.html
Nowak, David J. and O’Connor, Paul R.
In 2001, OASIS (Open Accessible Space Information System) was launched as NYC’s USDA Forest Service
first interactive mapping website dedicated to open space and green infrastructure “Syracuse Urban Forest Master Plan:
resources. It was developed by New York Public Interest Research Group for the Guiding the City’s Forest Resource into the 21st Century” – 2001
USDA Forest Service and a coalition of over 40 nonprofit organizations. A recent http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/newtown_square/publications/technical_reports/pdfs/2001/gtrne287.pdf
OASIS project utilized interactive mapping and data gathered from field investigation Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program
to develop detailed information about NYC’s urban forest and tree canopy coverage. “Trees as Community Infrastructure: The Value of Urban Forests”
Ultimately, this and other OASIS projects will help to optimize urban forest Rhode Island Urban and Community Forest Plan
management by providing quantifiable data on the value of trees for human health http://www.planning.ri.gov/forestplan/pdf/Part3.PDF
and environmental quality. For more information, see: http://www.oasisnyc.net/ Romalewski, Steven, et al
“Urban Canopy Enhancements Through Interactive Mapping Project in New York City”
references Final Report to the USDA Forest Service
http://www.oasisnyc.net/resources/street_trees/pdf/FinalTitleVIIIreport.pdf
Berg, Steve
Scenic America.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune, September 10, 2000
“Model Landscaping Ordinance” – 2003
Quoted from: http://www.newrules.org/environment/chiland.html
http://www.scenic.org/communitydesign/modellandscaping.htm
City of Austin
Town of Chapel Hill, Public Works Department
“Guidelines for the Public Streetscape”
“Landscaping and Tree Protection – Section 5”
Downtown Austin Design Guidelines – 2000
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1997
City of Chicago, Department of Zoning http://www.townhall.townofchapelhill.org
City of Chicago Landscape Ordinance 1991, Amended 1999
Village of Oak Park, Illinois
138 Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice – 2003
Steve Berg, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, September 10, 2000.
Quoted from http://www.newrules.org/environment/chiland.html.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.2 ENCOURAGE ECOLOGICAL CONNECTIVITY AND HABITAT
LA.2
Encourage Ecological ˙ LA.3

˙ LA.7
Create Absorbent Landscapes
Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
Connectivity and Habitat ˙ LA.15

˙ CP.2
Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along Shade-Light Continuum
Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
OBJECTIVE
On a local and regional scale, seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity and ecology. Planning
On sites within or adjacent to the public right-of-way, strengthen existing natural ˙ Analyze and model water and nutrient cycles and local flora and fauna species
site patterns and make connections to surrounding site context. Use a diversity of prior to design to understand the site as an integrated ecosystem.
ecotypes to repair or restore existing site systems. Minimize edge conditions that
˙ Engage local stakeholders in process to manage expectations and encourage
degrade habitat, encourage invasive species and alter ecological communities.
education about benefits.
˙ Identify critical or unique habitats based on topography, water or vegetation.
Benefits ˙ Establish link between land use mapping and development plans and
environmentally sensitive areas.
+ Protects existing local plant and animal communities, prevents species extinction,
and helps maintain genetic diversity. Design
+ Protects riparian ecosystems and potable water supply from contamination by
˙ Design landscaped areas to reconnect fragmented vegetation and establish
herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers.
contiguous networks with other natural systems both within the site and beyond its
+ Biodiversity protects nutrients held in the biomass of native vegetation.
boundaries.
+ Habitat corridors containing native plants act as biofilters to absorb and cleanse
˙ Avoid major alterations to sensitive topography, vegetation and wildlife habitat.
storm water runoff.
˙ Preserve ecologically significant and/or sensitive vegetation, wildlife habitat and
+ Natural ecosystems and native or naturalized species require less long-term
topography.
maintenance, fertilizer, water and herbicides than exotic landscapes. They are also
far less susceptible to invasive species, pests and disease. ˙ Use plant associations found locally that will enhance biodiversity and habitat.
˙ Where space permits, design redundancy of multiple habitat movement corridors to
adapt to dynamic nature of landscape processes.
LIMITATIONS ˙ Design riparian corridors with adequate dimension to offer optimal protection of
waterways by filtering contaminants.
− Design fees rarely cover the cost to engage in comprehensive site analysis.
− Native landscapes and management practices may not meet community ˙ Design habitat corridors of sufficient width to allow for good vegetation layering and
expectations of a well-maintained site. a diversity of species that comprise both interior and edge conditions.
˙ Consolidate utility corridors to minimize site disturbance.
˙ Integrate stormwater management BMPs to manage and treat runoff and to
integration minimize water pollution. (SM.5 to SM.11)
˙ Consider including public space amenities. (SS.5)
˙ Consider including educational features.
˙ SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis Construction
˙ Sequence construction activities to minimize adverse impacts to existing soils,
vegetation and drainage patterns. (CP.1 to CP.3)
˙ Develop and enforce a site protection plan. (CP.1)
˙ Purchase local plants. (LA.10)
152
example
Eibs Pond in northeastern Staten Island is a fresh water kettle-pond that was
formed from glacial activity around 15,000 years ago and is home to many unusual
plant communities. Although the pond had been left to neglect and disuse and its
ecosystem was degraded because of stormwater runoff pollution, it had great potential
to become a valuable open space amenity (17 acres in total area) to the dense
surrounding community. From 2001 to 2003, the Design Trust for Public Space
sponsored three fellows to work with the Parks Council, the NYC Department of Parks
and Recreation, local community members and others to develop a park restoration
master plan. In 2002, the fellows created a schematic design for the park’s southern
edge that integrated state-of-the-art stormwater filtration technology, vegetation
mitigation techniques, and public amenities. In 2003, an outdoor classroom was built
out of recycled plastic lumber and sustainably harvested wood. Elementary school
students from nearby PS 57 participated in the reclamation and now use the park as
an ecological classroom. The restoration of Eibs Pond is an important prototype for
how to integrate high performance technologies with open space development and
ecological restoration. The result is a remarkable space, enjoyed by all.
Eibs Pond – Staten Island, NY
Maintenance
˙ Time mowing operations before weed seeds set. Mow herbaceous areas annually
to prevent encroachment of invasive woody plants.
Monitoring
˙ Perform annual ecological monitoring to inform landscape management.
˙ Maintain records of plant and animal species to monitor changes over time. Use
GIS mapping and link records to other land use mapping and decision systems.
PERFORMANCE GOAL
˙ Incorporate native plants in a 2:1 ratio of native plants removed.
˙ Ensure 50% of vegetated area is contiguous.
˙ Provide buffers for mapped wetlands in accordance with NYSDEC regulations.
For unmapped wetlands, provide a minimum 50’ buffer.
˙ Provide 300’ wide habitat corridor.
Eibs Pond – Staten Island, NY
Design Trust fellows’ design for the south edge of Eibs Pond, integrating public amenities
and stormwater filtration
153
references
Benson, John. Ed.
Sustainable Landscape Design in Practice
http://www.nps.gov/dsc
Daily, Gretchen C, Susan Alexander, Paul R. Ehrlich, Larry Goulder,
Jane Lubchenco, Pamela A. Matson, Harold A. Mooney, Sandra Postel,
Stephen H. Schneider, David Tilman, and George M. Woodwell
Ecosystem Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural Ecosystems
Washington D.C.: Ecological Society of America
http://www.ecology.org/biod/value/EcosystemServices.html
Geay, Gene W.
The Urban Forest
John Wiley & Sons, 1996
Hellmund, Paul C. and Daniel S. Smith, eds.
Ecology of Greenways
University of Minnesota Press, 1993
Labaree, Jonathan M.
How Greenways Work: A Handbook on Ecology
Redding, California: American Trails, 1992
http://www.americantrails.org/resources/greenways/NPS5Grnwy.htm.l
Marsh, William
Landscape Planning: Environmental Applications
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1983
McKinney, Michael
‘Urbanization, Biodiversity, and Conservation’
BioScience, Vol.52, No. 10
October 2002
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Chicago District
December 2000
http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-r/best_management_practices.htm
.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.3 CREATE ABSORBENT LANDSCAPES
LA.3
rainfall – some of the rainfall remains on vegetation until it evaporates, and the rest
is temporarily detained and eventually reaches the ground.
˙ Vegetation draws up water from the soil and eventually releases it into the
CREATE ABSORBENT atmosphere through evapotranspiration.

˙ Low-lying surface vegetation helps to minimize soil erosion and physically filter
LANDSCAPES
runoff.
˙ Soils – if un-compacted and rich in organic matter – are able to store and slowly
release or infiltrate significant volumes of water.
˙ Vegetation works to maintain the absorptive capacity of the soil through root growth,
and the death and decay of organic matter.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Organisms in the soil – including earthworms, insects, ants, and microorganisms
Design and construct landscapes that are capable of high rates of stormwater – depend on organic matter and help to maintain macropores in the soil.
absorption, infiltration, and treatment.
integration
BENEFITS ˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis
+ Easy to construct, cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and highly beneficial for the ˙ SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
environment. ˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation
+ Reduces runoff volume, minimizing combined sewer overflows, water pollution, and ˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas
aquatic ecosystem degradation. ˙ PA.2 Minimize Impervious Pavement Area
+ Effective at maintaining soil infiltration capacity during large storm events.139 ˙ SM.1 Conduct Integrated Stormwater Management Planning
+ Appropriate soil construction, microbiology, and plant life can keep soil pores open ˙ SM.3 Minimize Runoff from New Building Construction and Major Renovations
and indefinitely maintain infiltration capacity. ˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
+ Applicable at many scales and spatial configurations; ideal for small sites in highly ˙ LA.5 Amend Existing Soils
urbanized areas, such as medians, planting strips, traffic islands, and so on. ˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees
+ Low-maintenance and tolerant of urban conditions if well designed. ˙ LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species
˙ LA. 14 Practice Integrated Pest Management
LIMITATIONS ˙ LA.15 Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along Shade-Light Continuum
− Requires periodic maintenance to ensure plant health and remove debris. ˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
− Vegetation may become less effective at filtering pollutants during winter.
technical strategies
background
Urban landscapes are often constructed with a thin layer of topsoil on top of a Planning
heavily compacted site, which jeopardizes long-term plant health and results in poor ˙ Conduct soil analysis. (SA.2)
infiltration capacity. If properly designed and constructed, ‘absorbent landscapes’ ˙ Ensure that subsoil infiltration rate is 2’ per hour or greater. Take corrective
perform several crucial functions to control, absorb, treat, and gradually release measures as necessary to ensure required infiltration rate.
rainfall:140 ˙ Ensure that surface soil layer has high organic content (between 10 and 25%).
˙ Vegetative cover provided by trees and plants intercepts a significant portion of ˙ Amend existing soils as necessary to increase organic content or infiltration rate. (LA.5)
139 ˙ If necessary, conduct hydrologic analysis to calculate stormwater runoff volume. (SA.3)
According to the Stormwater Planning: a Guidebook for British Columbia, absorbent landscapes can
continue to absorb rainfall during large (5 year) storms, while landscapes with disturbed or compacted soils ˙ If landscape needs to accommodate large runoff volumes, see “Use Bioretention”
can generate nearly as much runoff as impervious surfaces. (SM.10) for more details.
140
Characteristics of ‘absorbent landscape’ are described in detail in Greater Vancouver Regional District.
‘Stormwater Source Controls Preliminary Design Guidelines Interim Report. 2004.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.3 CREATE ABSORBENT LANDSCAPES
Design
˙ If possible, design absorbent landscapes with a slight slope or as a depressed
area.
˙ Ensure adequate soil depth for vegetation/tree health and stormwater storage/
infiltration.
˙ Ensure that imported or existing planting medium has an infiltration rate of at least
2’ per hour.
˙ Provide a transition layer between the planting soil and existing subsoil to facilitate
drainage.
˙ Maximize vegetative canopy. Use a low-maintenance, salt-tolerant, native or
naturalized vegetative ground cover that will help to reduce soil erosion and
physically filter stormwater. (LA. 12)
˙ Use mulch or other organic cover to retain moisture, minimize erosion and avoid
surface sealing. (LA.10)
˙ Use absorbent landscapes to disconnect impervious areas. (PA.2)
˙ Use absorbent landscapes in right-of-way public spaces and green areas. (SS.5)
˙ Consider designing landscape as a ‘rain garden’ to enhance the visibility of its
role in controlling and infiltrating stormwater. Consider incorporating educational
elements into the design.
Construction
Manhattan Avenue – Brooklyn, NY
˙ Control erosion during construction. (CP.2, CP.3) A 1/4 acre street end is converted into a park with absorbent landscaping that will provide a small water-
˙ Avoid soil compaction. (CP.2) front promenade, sitting areas, native plantings and a kayak launch.
˙ Prevent smearing of soil. If smearing occurs, fix with a rake or other equipment.
˙ Insure that final constructed landscape – including subsoil, transition layer, and
planting medium – meets or exceeds an infiltration rate of 2’ per hour.
references
˙ Irrigate during construction and post-construction period. Abrams, Glen J.
˙ Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices. (LA.10) “New Thinking in an Old City: Philadelphia’s Movement Towards Low-Impact Development”
NWQEP NOTES: The NCSU Water Quality Group Newsletter
Maintenance ISSN 1062-9149. Number 112. February 2004
North Carolina State University Water Quality Group
˙ Periodically apply mulch or other organic cover. http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/issues/notes112.pdf
˙ Monitor plant health in first year.
Example Vancouver: GVRD, 2004
The City of Philadelphia Office of Watersheds is promoting the creation of absorbent
landscapes within right-of-ways and on other public properties throughout the city. Stephens, Kim A., Patrick Graham, and David Reid
Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia – 2002
One recent design is for an absorbent landscape located within a traffic island on
Biltmore Avenue. The project was developed in partnership with the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society and the Philadelphia Water Department, and was intended to The Rain Garden Network
serve as a prototype for future absorbent landscapes throughout the city. Chicago, Illinois
http://www.raingardennetwork.com/raingardenis.htm
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
“Rain Gardens Infiltrating”
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/nps/rg/index.htm
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.4 USE STRUCTURAL SOILS WHERE APPROPRIATE
LA.4 integration
Use Structural Soils ˙ SA.4

˙ SS.2
where appropriate
˙ PA.1 Optimize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide
˙ LA.5 Amend Existing Soils
˙ LA.8 Plant Trees to Maximize Shading of Pavement
˙ LA.9 Plant Trees in Trenches or Continuous Soil Zones
OBJECTIVE ˙ LA.10 Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices
Use structural soils – an engineered mix of load-bearing rock and organic soil – in
trafficked planted areas or under pavements where planting will occur, to maximize Technical Strategies
plant health and minimize pavement damage.
Planning
BENEFITS ˙ Budget adequately for structural soils early in the project development process.
˙ Ensure that structural soils are used only at appropriate locations.
+ Supports mature trees, which contribute shade, beauty, noise reduction, wind
abatement, cooling, pollution reduction and habitat. Design
+ Life expectancy of trees is 4 to 5 times greater when adequate soil volume is Design structural soils to provide a load-bearing aggregate lattice to support a pavement:
provided for roots. The lattice provides stability through stone-to-stone contact while providing
+ Withstands compaction caused by foot traffic, vehicle loads, and vibration. interconnected voids for root penetration, air and water movement.
+ Reduces damage to sidewalks and pavement by encouraging deeper root growth. ˙ Use gap graded angular stone rather than well-graded stone particles to ensure
+ Simplifies construction, as they are suitable both as a pavement base and a root porosity in the matrix.
medium.
˙ Follow NYS or NYC DOT aggregate soundness and durability requirements for the
stone particles.
LIMITATIONS Design structural soils to provide nutritional components: The objective is to coat the stones
− Structural soils may be more costly than natural or manufactured topsoil. with soil and allow the nutritional material to reside within the stone matrix.
− Uniform blending of structural soil components requires either special equipment ˙ Use a loam with a higher than normal clay and silt content.
(pug mill) or careful monitoring (volume mixing with front-end loader). ˙ Provide organic matter as necessary.
− Pre-mixed structural soil cannot remain stockpiled for long periods of time or ˙ Consider use of a soil tackifier to facilitate uniform mixing, transportation
transported over long distances because the component parts will separate. and dumping.
Ensure proper compaction:
BACKGROUND ˙ Specify compaction to 95%-100% Standard Proctor density. Testing should follow
ASTM D698-91 method D protocol or AASHTO T-99.
Urban trees are subjected to greater stress than rural or suburban trees. The scarcity
˙ Install and compact in 6 inch lifts.
of quality soil and the likelihood of soil compaction impedes drainage and inhibits
access to nutrients and oxygen, leading to root death. Furthermore, limited soil Minimize the impact of lime migration into planted structural soils:
space around urban street trees forces roots to push upward as they grow, causing ˙ Avoid planting ericaceous (acid-requiring) species if lime migration is likely.
significant damage to pavements and sidewalks. Using structural soil in trafficked ˙ Avoid using recycled concrete aggregate adjacent to planted areas.
planted areas or under pavements where planting will occur can significantly improve
tree health and minimize pavement damage. Structural soil combines a proper soil Design pavement and planting sections simultaneously to maximize soil volume for planting.
mix for plant health with a load-bearing stone matrix or lattice to provide structural Provide for positive drainage between subsoil and structural soil to prevent water-logging.
support for surrounding pavements. Structural soil prevents soil compaction, helps
maintain soil macro-pores to facilitate drainage and access to nutrients and oxygen,
and enables deep root growth.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.4 USE STRUCTURAL SOILS WHERE APPROPRIATE
Construction Patterson, J.C.

“Soil Compaction – Effects on Urban Vegetation”
˙ Avoid stockpiling pre-mixed structural soil for long periods or transporting it over Journal of Arboriculture, 3(9), September 1997
long distances to prevent the separation of component parts.
˙ Achieve uniform blending of the structural soil components. Use proper equipment Randrup, T.B., McPherson, E.G., and Costello, L.R.
“A Review of Tree Root Conflicts with Sidewalks, Curbs and Roads”
and monitoring.
Urban Ecosystems, 5:209-225, 2001, Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001
˙ Test components at source prior to shipment to job site.141
http://cufr.ucdavis.edu/products/cufr_372_TreeRootConflicts.pdf
˙ Perform on-site mixing of structural soils. Test mix prior to installation
˙ Install and compact in 6 inch lifts. Sloan, John, and Mary Ann Hegemann
“Dual Function Growth Medium and Structural Soil For Use as Porous Pavement”
Monitoring Washington D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/natlstormwater03/35Sloan.pdf
˙ Monitor structural soils and plants annually for nutrient balance and health.
Urban Horticultural Institute
Urban Trees: Site Assessment, Selection for Stress Tolerance, Planting
EXAMPLES Ithaca, New York: Cornell University, March 1998
Route 9A Reconstruction in Manhattan is one of the first projects to use structural Whitlow, Thomas H. and Nina L. Bassuk
soils both in the medians and sidewalks. Five and a half miles of sidewalk have “Trees in Difficult Sites”
continuous tree trenches filled with structural soil. Trenches are discontinuous only Journal of Arboriculture, 3(9), September 1997
at driveways and are covered with ungrouted granite blocks. Completed between
1998 and 2000, the trees are thriving and there is no evidence of settlement. See
photo in LA.9
references
Craul, Philip J.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 1992
Doherty, Karen, Bloniarz, David V. and H. Dennis P. Ryan
“Positively the Pits! – Successful Strategies for Sustainable Streetscapes”
Tree Care Industry, November 2003
http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/publications/pits.pdf
Grabosky, Jason, Nina Bassuk, and Peter Trowbridge
“Structural Soils: A New Way to Allow Urban Trees To Grow In Pavement”
LATIS: Landscape Architecture Technical Information Series
Washington DC: American Society Of Landscape Architects, 1999
Grabosky, Jason, Nina Bassuk, Peter Trowbridge, and James Urban
“Structural Soil: An Innovative Medium Under Pavement That Improves Street Tree Vigor“
Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Urban Horticultural Institute
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/department/faculty/bassuk/uhi/outreach/csc/article.html
Harris, R. and Nina Bassuk
”Tree Planting Fundamentals”
Journal of Arboriculture
141
Since structural soils are relatively new and there is on-going debate about the proper base materials and
proportions in the final mix, testing of individual components as well as testing of the final mix prior to
installation is essential.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.5 AMEND EXISTING SOILS
LA.5
contaminated with non-heavy metals such as petroleum, uranium, selenium,
benzene, PCB’s and herbicides. To be most effective, bioremediation must be an
aerobic process that enables microorganisms to metabolize organic pollutants.
Amend existing Soils Phytoremediation A science in its infancy that uses specific plants to absorb pollutants
from a contaminated soil. Phytoremediation operates through three principal
mechanisms: extraction, containment and degradation. Pollutants typically remain
in the plants or their leaves, which must be harvested to prevent further dispersal
OBJECTIVE of toxins. Phytoremediation is useful for treating a wide variety of environmental
Whenever possible, use existing on-site soil for planting rather than importing contaminants including crude oil, solvents, pesticides, chromium and mercury and is
foreign topsoil and exporting waste soil. Amend soil on-site (stockpiled or in-situ) to most appropriate for relatively low concentrations located in the upper soil layers.
compensate for poor organic or physical properties, or to improve soil infiltration rate.
If necessary, remediate soil in-situ using bioremediation and phytoremediation. integration
Benefits ˙ SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
+ Reduces air pollution resulting from trucking soils to and from job site. ˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation
+ Reduces surface runoff and erosion by restoring the soil’s water infiltration and ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
storage capacity. ˙ LA.4 Use Structural Soils Where Appropriate
+ Reduces the need for supplemental water, fertilizers and pesticides, minimizing ˙ LA.10 Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices
environmental impact. ˙ LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species
+ Improves plant and soil health. ˙ LA.13 Use Water-efficient Landscape Design
+ Reduces cost by minimizing importation of topsoil and removal of existing soil. ˙ LA. 14 Practice Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
+ Reduces potential disruption to existing vegetated areas.
+ Reduces risk of importing invasive species or contaminants.
LIMITATIONS Site Assessment
− May not be suitable for steeply sloping sites where erosion or sedimentation may be ˙ Specify soil testing procedures.
exacerbated. ˙ Conduct and evaluate soil tests to determine needs for soil amendment.
− Soils with known contaminants require further investigation to determine their ˙ Consider appropriate soil remediation techniques.
capability for bioremediation.
Design
Background Determine soil amendment procedures:
˙ Based on evaluation of soil test results, determine proper proportions of
Typically, construction techniques remove or stock-pile useful existing topsoil. amendments, or suitable remediation techniques.
However, the resulting compaction and construction vehicle traffic can reduce ˙ Specify locally-available organic amendments, such as compost, biosolids and
soil structure, with negative hydrologic and biodiversity impact. Soil health can be forest product residuals. Do not use peat moss or other non-renewable resources.
regained by using compost, biosolids, forest product residuals, and other renewable ˙ Specify appropriate application and sequencing of amendment procedures.
organic substances to increase the porosity of soil and return nutrients to the earth. ˙ Specify testing protocol for post-application of amendments to meet target ranges.
This rebuilds beneficial soil life that fights pests and disease, and supplies plants with
nutrients and water, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Two additional Develop a soil management plan that identifies the following areas:
methods can be used to remediate soil in-situ: ˙ Areas where native soil and/or vegetation will be retained in place.
˙ Areas where topsoil or subsoil will be amended in place.
Bioremediation Uses soil bacteria and other microorganisms to cleanse pollutants
˙ Areas where topsoil will be stripped and stockpiled prior to grading for reapplication.
from soil and water. Bioremediation has proven successful in cleansing toxic sites
˙ Areas where imported topsoil will be applied.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.5 AMEND EXISTING SOILS
Construction
Use proper construction sequencing and practices:
˙ Do not permit delivery or installation of amendments prior to approval of test results.
˙ Coordinate amendment procedures and sequencing with other activities.
˙ Delineate areas to receive soil amendments based on Tree and Vegetation
Protection and Transplant Plan. (SA.4, CP.1, CP.2)
˙ Perform amending procedures within Protection zones using hand methods; do not
permit heavy equipment to encroach on in-place soils or within protection zones or
use low ground pressure (LGP) operating equipment.
Ensure compliance with specifications:

˙ Verify that delivered materials match specified materials by requiring delivery tickets
stating type, source and volume.
˙ Retest amended soil for conformance with specifications.
Take erosion and sedimentation control measures:

˙ Provide erosion/siltation barriers to protect drains/streams from sediment.
˙ Install temporary cover (seed, mulch or fabric) immediately after amending soil if
Shore Parkway Bike Path – Queens, NY
permanent planting is delayed. On-Site soils amended with organic matter
˙ See “Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas” (CP.2) and “Protect Water Sources
During Construction” (CP.3) for more details. Cole, Michael A.
“Compost-based Remediation of Contaminated Soils”
Operations and Maintenance Craul, Philip
˙ If necessary, re-apply certain amendments (organics) to maintain healthy soil Urban Soil in Landscape Design
balance. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 1992
Government of Ontario, Canada, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Monitoring “Soil Management - Infosheet #15”
˙ Monitor soils annually by performing soil tests or visual inspection to ensure healthy http://www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/english/environment/efp/infosheet_15.htm
soil balance. Low Impact Development Center
“Specifications for Soil Amendments”
PERFORMANCE GOAL Beltsville, MD: LID
http://www.lid-stormwater.net/soilamend_specs.htm
Restore the landscape to the capacity of the original undisturbed soil native to the site. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
“The Value of Native Soil”
example http://www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/solwaste/documents/restoringsoilhealthB.pdf
Washington Organic Recycling Council
Washington State has adopted guidelines by Snohomish County of Public Works
Guidelines and Resources for Implementing Soil Depth and Quality in WDOE Western Washington Stormwater 2002
Department that defines techniques of amending soils in place. A variety of methods http://www.SoilsforSalmon.org
are provided based on site conditions.
Williams, Carrie P
“Decompose Yourself: The Art of Soil Amending”
references Linkup Parents
http://www.linkup parents.com/decomposesoil.htm
CABI Bioscience Switzerland Centre and Global Invasive Species Prevention Programme
‘Toolkit Summary’ University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
In Invasive Alien Species: A Toolkit of Best Prevention and Management Practice “Conserve and Improve Your Soils”
http://www.cabi-bioscience.ch/wwwgisp/gtcsum.htm http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/EB0201/Chapter09.pdf
160
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.6 PERFORM SOIL BERMING
LA.6 Technical StrategieS

Site Assessment
Perform Soil Berming ˙ Determine if construction will generate excess excavation material suitable for
vegetated berms.
˙ Conduct soil tests to determine if excess material is suitable for re-use in berm
construction. (SA.2)
OBJECTIVE
Where sufficient space exists, construct earth berms to reduce unwanted noise,
Planning
absorb excess fill, and to improve aesthetics and quality of life in residential Determine locations for berms and other noise-mitigating measures:
neighborhoods. ˙ Evaluate site plan to determine optimum locations for roads, residences and
intervening land mass that can accommodate earth berms.
˙ Consider depressing road if berms are not practical to deflect noise.
Benefits ˙ Consider the use of berms to clarify street crossing points; ensure that visibility is
+ Improves air quality. not impaired.
+ Reduces noise pollution. ˙ Consider using berms in conjunction with noise walls and vegetated buffers.
+ Represents the lowest cost method of reducing unwanted noise. Earth berms ˙ Determine optimal heights for noise-mitigating berms or combination berm/wall
are approximately half the cost of metal, concrete or wood noise walls. configurations.
+ Reduces excess fill, minimizing costs of transportation and disposal. ˙ Plan to protect dense masses of vegetation that can assist in noise mitigation.
+ Earth berms are permanent and require no reconstruction and minimal (SA.4, CP.2)
maintenance.
+ Earth berms are attractive and introduce new opportunities for vegetation Design
and habitat. Determine berm geometry:
˙ Design berms in relation to natural angle of repose and vegetative cover.
LIMITATIONS ˙ Avoid slopes in excess of 3:1 since they are difficult to mow.
˙ Use flat-topped berms if installing an additional sound wall on top of the berm.
− Requires much more land area than noise walls.
− Ineffective for noise reduction if residences are at a higher elevation than the Determine proper plantings:
noise source. ˙ Plant berms with shrub and tree masses on the road side rather than mown grass
to increase sound absorption.
˙ Use low grasses on top of the berm to avoid scattering sound down behind the
integration barrier.
˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis ˙ Select low-maintenance, native species tolerant of salt, wind and natural rainfall
˙ SA.3 Conduct Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis characteristics.
˙ PA.6 Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials Operations and Maintenance
˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning ˙ Maintain vegetation including annual mowing (for native grasses) and removal of
˙ CP.4 Implement a Waste Management and Recycling Plan invasive species.
PERFORMANCE GOAL
Reduce noise by 3 dBA or more for earth berms and 5 dBA for combined earth
berms and noise walls.
161
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.6 PERFORM SOIL BERMING
example
Since 1989, the Ministry of Transportation and Highways of British Columbia (MoTH)
has required highway noise impact mitigation measures on all new or upgraded
freeway or expressway projects. Mitigation measures must achieve an average noise
reduction of 5 dBa. To assess the validity of various noise mitigation techniques
involving earth berms, MoTH undertook a research project with the University of
British Columbia Mechanical Engineering Department and Wakefield Acoustics, Ltd.
Using a scale model of a highway section, the study found that earth berms with a
steeper slope (1.5:1 and 2:1) that are located close to the noise source are the most
effective configuration for noise reduction. The study also found that using highly
absorbent soil admixtures such as vermiculite, perlite, wood chips or mulch could
enhance noise reduction.142
references
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
“Transportation: Sound Solutions to Keep Down the Noise”
http://www.downloads.transportation.org/highroad/HighRoad-10.pdf
Baker, Susan
“Designers Look for ways to Reduce Noise”
Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce
Design ’95 Special Issue
http://www.djc.com/special/design95/10002599.htm
Bodapati, S. Narayan, Diane Kay, and Susan Morgan
“Study of Noise Barrier Life-Cycle Costing”
Journal of Transportation Engineering
12: 3 May/June 2001, pp. 230-236
“Highway Traffic Noise”
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/htnoise.htm
Highway Engineering Branch, Ministry of Transportation and Highways, British Columbia
Noise Control Berms: Guidelines for the Use of Earth Berms to Control Highway Noise
January 1997
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/eng_publications/environment/ references/
Noise_Control_Earth_Berms-Guidelines.pdf
Sustainable Urban landscape Information Series
“SULIS Implementation – Building Soil Berms”
University of Minnesota
http://www.sustland.umn.edu/implement/soil_berms.html
142 Prudential Insurance Company Headquarters – New Jersey

For detailed findings, consult: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/eng_publications/environment/references/
Noise_Control_Earth_Berms-Guidelines.pdf Excavated site soil reused to create berms to screen parking lot
162
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.7 INCREASE THE QUANTITY, DENSITY, AND DIVERSITY OF TREES
LA.7 integration
Increase the quantity, ˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis

density, and diversity

of trees ˙ SM.4 Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
OBJECTIVE ˙ LA.3 Create Absorbent Landscapes
Increase density of tree canopy using multiple species of native or naturalized trees. ˙ LA.9 Plant Trees in Trenches or Continuous Soil Zones
Develop strategies to plant trees in groups rather than in isolated pits. Increase tree ˙ LA.10 Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices
species diversity to minimize the spread of disease and pests. ˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas
Benefits Technical Strategies

+ Reduces air pollution, noise pollution and soil erosion.
+ Reduces and treats stormwater runoff via water uptake and evapotranspiration. Site Assessment
+ Reduces the urban heat island effect by lowering local ambient temperatures. ˙ Assess site to determine optimal locations for mass tree plantings. (SA.4)
+ Assists in stabilizing local microclimates and moderate weather extremes. ˙ Evaluate existing habitat. Assess viable existing species to be protected. (SA.4)
+ Provides shading and insulation, reducing energy required to heat and cool buildings. ˙ Conduct soil analysis. (SA.2)
+ Trees planted in groups are better protected and healthier, and reduce damage and
natural degradation of infrastructure by providing shelter from harsh weather. Planning
+ Diversity of tree species protects against spread of disease and pests that can ˙ Determine suitable native or naturalized tree species and local availability. (LA.10)
devastate monoculture plantings.
˙ Determine location of proposed or existing utilities to avoid interferences and
+ Improves public health and quality of life.
excavation damage. Coordinate utility runs away from planting zones.
+ Increases property values.
Design
LIMITATIONS Properly select and specify tree species:
˙ Select species based on future use (proximity to trucks, buses and utility corridors;
− Grouped tree plantings consume greater area than individual tree pits.
proximity to curbs, street lights, or within high pedestrian traffic areas).
˙ Seek to increase diversity of tree species.
Background ˙ See “Use Healthy Tree Selection and Planting Practices” (LA.10) for more details.
Typically, street trees stand alone, spaced regularly from each other in separate pits. Determine optimal planting locations:
In general, trees planted together are better protected and healthier. Clustered trees
˙ Group tree species according to site conditions including soil type, available
protect each other from wind throw and leaf scorch, and they also develop better root
moisture, slope, aspect, salt tolerance and shade.
systems that strengthen the trees against disease, wind throw, drought and girdling.
˙ Encourage owners of adjacent properties to increase tree planting over large
Increased leaf mass of clustered trees helps protect against erosion caused by splash
expanses of pavement, especially parking lots.
and helps reduce peak runoff.
Construction
˙ Monitor construction to ensure tree selection, planting, and after-care BMPs are
implemented. (LA.10)
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.7 INCREASE THE QUANTITY, DENSITY, AND DIVERSITY OF TREES
˙ Provide for and administer requirements of two-year landscape warrantee. “Leaf Scorch of Trees and Shrubs”
˙ Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices. (LA.10) Purdue University, March 2002
˙ Protect existing trees and new trees. (CP. 2) http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/bp/bp_25_w.pdf
Mendler, Sandra and William Odell
Operations and Maintenance The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design
˙ Provide supplemental water during establishment period and sustained drought. Hoboken: Wiley and sons, 2000
˙ Avoid over-watering trees to conserve water and protect tree roots from rot. pp.55-57
˙ Inspect trees annually and prune dead or infected wood. Montgomery County Planning Commission
˙ Monitor soil health and adjust as required. “Planning by Design – Street Trees”
˙ See “Use Healthy Tree Selection and Planting Practices” (LA.10) for more details. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
http://www.montcopa.org/plancom/PDF%20Files/Street%20Trees.pdf
PERFORMANCE GOAL Nowak, David J. USDA Forest Service

˙ Provide 1 cubic yard of soil volume for every 5 cubic yards of crown volume of a Syracuse, NY
mature tree. For example, major shade trees require 75-95 cubic yards of soil and http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/syracuse/gif/trees.pdf
minor trees require 10-30 cubic yards of soil. Nowak, David J., Crane, Daniel E. and Dwyer, John F.
˙ Meet or exceed the following minimum width requirements for planting soil zones: “Compensatory Value of Urban Trees in the United States”
(a) Lawn or herbaceous planting: 3 feet. Journal of Arboriculture 28(4): July 2002
(b) Shrubs: 5 feet.
(c) Single row of trees: 8 feet.
USDA Forest Service
(d) double or staggered row of trees: 12 to 18 feet. “Syracuse Urban Forest Master Plan: Guiding the City’s Forest Resource into the 21st Century.” – 2001
http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/newtown_square/publications/technical_reports/pdfs/2001/gtrne287.pdf
example Phillips Jr., Leonard E.
Urban Trees
The Village of Oak Park, Illinois has prepared an Arboricultural Standards Manual that
McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1993
applies to its parkways. Locations and spacing of trees allow greater number of trees
to be planted than is permitted in New York City as a result of calibrating species type Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program
with spacing. “Trees as Community Infrastructure: The Value of Urban Forests”
Rhode Island Urban and Community Forest Plan
http://www.planning.ri.gov/forestplan/pdf/Part3.PDF
references Romalewski, Steven, et al.
City of Seattle, Office of Sustainability and Environment “Urban Canopy Enhancements Through Interactive Mapping Project in New York City”
“Landscape and Grounds Management” Final Report to the USDA Forest Service
http://www.cityofseattle.net/environment/documents/Landscape&GroundsManagementPolicy.doc http://www.oasisnyc.net/resources/street_trees/pdf/FinalTitleVIIIreport.pdf
Cool Communities The Regional Plan Association
“Urban Shade Trees” “Building a Metropolitan Greensward”
Rome, Georgia
_____, and Environmental Action Coalition
http://www.coolcommunities.org/urban_shade_trees.htm
“Keeping the Green Promise: An Action Plan for New York City’s Urban Forest”
Colorado Tree Coalition
United States Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency
“Benefits of Trees in Urban Areas”
“Landscaping for Energy Efficiency”
http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/landscape.html
Harris, Richard W.
Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines.
New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1992, chapter 5
164
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.8 PLANT TREES TO MAXIMIZE SHADING OF PAVEMENT
LA.8 Technical Strategies

Design
Plant trees to maximize Properly select and specify tree species:
shading of pavement
˙ Select appropriate species for local climatic conditions, salt and wind tolerance,
utility obstructions, traffic control devices and available soil volume.
˙ Select species with appropriate branching structure and growth characteristics to
maximize canopy and leaf mass.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Select trees with mature heights in conjunction with vehicular and overhead utility
clearances.
To reduce urban heat and air pollution, and to increase pavement lifecycle, plant ˙ Specify caliper size between 3-4 inches (minimum rootball diameters: 32’ for 3’
trees in sufficient numbers and appropriate layouts to achieve maximum shading of caliper; 42’ for 4’ caliper) to ensure rapid establishment and sufficient initial girth.
pavements.143 Caliper may be downsized to 2 1⁄2’-3’ depending on specie availability and most
suitable transplant size.
˙ Specify two year warrantee for street trees.
Benefits ˙ See “Use Healthy Tree Selection and Planting Practices” (LA.10) for more details.
+ Reduces the urban heat island effect by lowering local ambient temperatures and
Determine optimal planting locations:
decreasing heat absorption by pavements. Reduces building cooling loads and
˙ Plant trees to maximize shade coverage over dark surfaces and pedestrian areas
energy consumption during the summer.144
(roads, parking lots, sidewalks).
+ Increases pavement durability and extends lifecycle by reducing deformation and
rutting caused by heat stress. ˙ Space trees based on specie type to maintain visibility of vehicular intersections,
+ Reduces stormwater runoff through water uptake and evapotranspiration. street light efficiency and traffic control devices. Spacing to range between 20’ to
+ Reduces air pollution and noise pollution. 40’ on center.
+ Improves public health, quality of life, and aesthetics. ˙ Plant shade trees near homes and buildings to shield them from direct sun in the
+ Provides shelter from the sun and harmful ultraviolet rays. summer.
+ Increases property values. ˙ Design to plant trees in trenches or continuous soil zones. (LA.9)
˙ Use structural soil where appropriate. (LA. 4)
LIMITATIONS Construction
− Increases construction costs. Use healthy tree planting practices:
˙ Select locally grown species.
˙ Obtain disease-free certification from nursery/supplier.
integration ˙ Plant trees during optimum season based on species.
˙ SS.5 Increase and Improve Right-of-Way Public Space and Green Areas ˙ Protect plantings from construction activities (CP.2).
˙ PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide ˙ Perform tree planting according to best horticultural/arboricultural practices.
˙ PA.3 Maximize Pavement Albedo ˙ Do not fertilize trees during first year.
˙ LA.1 Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning ˙ Enforce contractor warranty for defective installation and replacement of dead or
˙ LA.4 Use Structural Soils Where Appropriate vandalized trees.
˙ LA.7 Increase the Quantity, Density and Diversity of Trees ˙ See “Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices” (LA.10) for more details.
˙ LA.9 Plant Trees in Trenches or Continuous Soil Zones Operations and Maintenance
˙ LA.10 Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices
˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas ˙ Conduct annual inspection of street trees for pest infestation or damage.
143
˙ Provide emergency water during sustained drought periods through the use of gator
The USDA Forest Service estimates that clustered street trees reduce temperatures 0.4 degrees F. for every bags, water trucks, etc.
percent increase in canopy cover. Other studies suggest that mid-day air temperatures under a tree with
grass ground cover can be up to 3 degrees F cooler than surrounding areas. ˙ Prune or remove infested trees or limbs.
144
Deciduous trees will block the sun during the summer months and allow in the sun during the winter months.
165
˙ Remove tree stakes (if used) after first year.

˙ Monitor for plant health. (LA.10)
PERFORMANCE GOAL
˙ Reduce local ambient temperature by 5 degrees Farenheit minimum.
˙ Reduce peak cooling loads for residential buildings by 30% annually in conjunction
with other urban heat island reduction strategies.
example
The Syracuse, New York Urban Forest Master Plan – developed the USDA Forest
Service in cooperation with the City of Syracuse and several other organizations – is
the most comprehensive assessment and innovative plan of its type. In the process
of developing the master plan, organizers created a high-resolution digital urban
vegetation cover map informed by extensive sampling data, conducted a 100%
street-tree inventory, surveyed city residents regarding desirable and undesirable
tree characteristics, and interviewed local tree experts. The master plan establishes
priorities for the future management of Syracuse’s urban forest, including objectives
for increasing overall tree canopy cover to 30%, enhancing tree health, and
optimizing environmental and social benefits. The master plan is intended to be
integrated with the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative and other urban planning and
revitalization programs.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as part of its Cool Communities program,
has conducted definitive research that demonstrates significant reduction in the
Urban Heat Island Effect through the use of shade trees over pavements. As a
result, a number of municipalities including Los Angeles, Sacramento, Baton Rouge,
Chicago, and Highland Park, New Jersey have adopted best practices for street tree
planting in the public right-of-way.
references
City of Austin
“Install Street Trees”
Downtown Austin Design Guidelines
2000
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/dg054-059.pdf
Colorado Tree Coalition
“Benefits of Trees in Urban Areas”
http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm
Cool Communities
“Urban Shade Trees”
Rome, Georgia
http://www.coolcommunities.org/urban_shade_trees.htm Greenwich Street – Manhattan, NY
Widened sidewalk area resulting from a reduction in roadway width by 40 feet allows for double or triple
rows of trees in structural soil trenches to maximize shading of pavements.
166
Environmental Protection Agency Urban Heat Island/Cool Communities

“Heat Island Effect” City of Los Angeles, California – Environmental Affairs Department
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ActionsLocalHeatIslandEffect.html http://www.ci.la.ca.us/EAD/EASWeb-AQD/urbanheatcool.htm
Gerhold, Henry, Willet Wandell and Norman Lacasse eds. Urban Horticultural Institute
Street Trees Fact Sheets Urban Trees: Site Assessment, Selection for Stress Tolerance, Planting
Pennsylvania State University/Municipal Tree Reforestation Program, 1993 Cornell University, March 1998
Gorsevski, Virginia
Heat Island Reduction Initiative (HIRI)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.harc.edu/mitchellcenter/download/HIRIREV.pdf
Harris, Richard W.
Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1992, Chapter 5
Highland Park Environmental Commission
“Shade Tree Advisory Committee Annual Report”
Highland Park, New Jersey: HPEC, 2002
http://www.leoraw.com/hpenv/info/stac02.htm
Nowak, David J., Crane, Daniel E. and Dwyer, John F
“Compensatory Value of Urban Trees in the United States”
Journal of Arboriculture 28(4): July 2002
USDA Forest Service
“Syracuse Urban Forest Master Plan: Guiding the City’s Forest Resource into the 21st Century” – 2001
http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/newtown_square/publications/technical_reports/pdfs/2001/gtrne287.pdf
Nowak, David J. USDA Forest Service
Syracuse, NY
http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/syracuse/gif/trees.pdf
Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program
“Trees as Community Infrastructure: The Value of Urban Forests”
Rhode Island Urban and Community Forest Plan
http://www.planning.ri.gov/forestplan/pdf/Part3.PDF
Romalewski, Steven, et al.
“Urban Canopy Enhancements Through Interactive Mapping Project in New York City”
Final Report to the USDA Forest Service
http://www.oasisnyc.net/resources/street_trees/pdf/FinalTitleVIIIreport.pdf
Town of Chapel Hill, Public Works Department.
“Landscaping and Tree Protection – Section 5”
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1997
http://www.townhall.townofchapelhill.org
United States Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency
“Landscaping for Energy Efficiency”
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/landscape.html
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.9 PLANT TREES IN TRENCHES OR CONTINUOUS SOIL ZONES
LA.9 integration
Plant Trees in trenches or ˙ PA.1

˙ SM.4
Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide
Optimize Right-of-Way Drainage
continuous soil zones

˙ LA.4 Use Structural Soils Where Appropriate
OBJECTIVE
technical strategies
Create continuous soil trenches or root paths to provide greater area for root growth,
better access to air, moisture and nutrients.
Design
Adequately size tree trenches / continuous soil zones:
Benefits ˙ Design sidewalks of sufficient width to accommodate tree trenches.
+ Significantly increases the lifespan of trees. ˙ Meet or exceed the following minimum width requirements for planting soil zones:
+ Enables greater absorption of stormwater runoff. ̅ Single row of trees: 8 feet.
+ Provides a greater area for root growth and shares resources ̅ Double or staggered row of trees: 12 to 18 feet.
among individual trees. ˙ Provide 1 cubic yard of soil volume for every 5 cubic yards of crown volume of a
+ Tree longevity and health preserves genetic diversity and integration with other mature tree.
native plantings. ˙ Provide 75-95 cubic yards of soil for major shade trees.
+ Eliminates the need for drainage and watering systems, which offsets the costs of ˙ Provide 10-30 cubic yards of soil for minor trees.
soil trenching. ˙ If soil space is limited or linear trenches are physically impossible, design to direct
+ Alleviates heaving of adjacent pavements and the associated cost of repair and root growth toward larger soil volumes or break out zones (lawns or planting strips).
litigation related to tripping injuries.
Minimize interference with streetscape elements:
+ Minimizes future costs associated with remedial action and replacement of dead
˙ Specify structural soils under pavements. (LA.4)
trees.
˙ Coordinate placement of utilities, light poles, bus stops, driveways and hydrants to
maximize continuity of trenches.
LIMITATIONS ˙ If use of structural soils is impossible or if interference with streetscape elements is
likely, design root paths to direct root growth toward larger soil volumes or break out
− Adds construction costs for additional excavation and backfill. zones (i.e. lawns or planting strips).
Select appropriate paving or plant material to cover soil trench between trees:
background ˙ Do not grout joints of pavers within 10 feet either side of a tree.
As an alternative to traditional tree pits, the implementation of continuous soil ˙ Do not plant grass or shrubs within 4 feet of either side of a tree.
trenches creates shared resources among individual trees and provides greater area
for root growth and stormwater absorption. This practice can additionally prevent Construction
pavement heaving adjacent to tree pits and the associated cost of repair and litigation ˙ Inspect subsoil after excavation to determine need for supplemental drainage.
related to tripping injuries. Similarly, the elimination of unwarranted tree stabilization ˙ Install and test structural soil (LA.4).
techniques protects trees from future girdling or snapping, while elimination of ˙ Follow healthy tree selection and planting procedures. (LA.10)
unnecessary tree stakes or guy wires protects pedestrians and saves installation cost.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.9 PLANT TREES IN TRENCHES OR CONTINUOUS SOIL ZONES
example
Seattle Washington’s Department of Transportation has adopted tree planting
guidelines for the public right-of-way that require continuous structural soil trenches.
The additional cost of excavation and backfill is offset by eliminating drainage
trenches and upgrades to the stormwater infrastructure.
references
Appleton, Bonnie, Jack Horsley, and Vivian Harris
“Trees For Parking Lots And Paved Areas”
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/trees/430-028.html
City and County of Denver, Planning and Development Office
The Commons: Urban Design Standards and Guidelines
Prepared by Design Workshop, Inc. 1997
http://www.denvergov.org/admin/template3/forms/CommonsGuidelines.pdf
City of Ottawa
“Design Guidelines for Corridor components – Road edge – Road Edge Landscape”
http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/city_services/planningzoning/roads/roads_en.shtml
Craul, Philip J.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., p.294-296
Doherty,Karen, David V. Bloniarz and H. Dennis P. Ryan
“Positively the Pits! – Successful Strategies for Sustainable Streetscapes”
Tree Care Industry. November 2003
Howard, Jim, and Dean Koontz
“Giving Trees a Better Chance”
Landscape Northwest, April 19, 2001
http://www.djc.com/news/envir/11121031.html
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water
“Reducing the Impacts of Stormwater Runoff”
April 1992
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dow/toolbox/
Randrup, T.B, McPherson, E.G., and Costello, L.R.
“A Review of Tree Root Conflicts with Sidewalks, Curbs and Roads”
Urban Ecosystems, 5:209-225, 2001
Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001
http://cufr.ucdavis.edu/products/cufr_372_TreeRootConflicts.pdf
University of Maryland Extension, Home and Garden information Center
“Planting Tips for Trees“
Route 9A – Manhattan, NY
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/hgic
Five and a half miles of sidewalk along Route 9A have continuous tree trenches filled with structural soil.
Trenches are discontinuous only at driveways and are covered with ungrouted granite blocks. Completed
between 1998 and 2000, the trees are thriving and there is no evidence of settlement.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.10 USE HEALTHY PLANT SELECTION AND PLANTING PRACTICES
LA.10 LIMITATIONS
− Designers will have to adjust standard plant palettes to comply, and become more
Use healthy Plant Selection

aware of local conditions to specify correct planting procedures.
− Nursery growers are reluctant to use bio-degradable products due to their shorter-
term efficacy, and traditional practices are difficult to change.
and planting practices − Landscape contractors will have to expend greater effort to protect trees during
planting operations.
− Tree availability may be different at time of purchase than at time of design, thereby
requiring substitutions.
OBJECTIVE − Special maintenance agreements will be required when non-standard tree
Specify, budget for and use planting techniques that promote healthy plants and trees. protection devices are used.
Purchase plants and trees that have been grown within the site’s local environment
and within approximately a 250-mile radius. Trees grown within the same or similar
environmental conditions as the site (local ecotype trees or indigenous species) have
integration
the greatest chance for success. Document and enforce planting practices that ensure ˙ SS.2 Improve Streetscape for Pedestrians
tree longevity. Select tree species that are resistant to local pest infestations. ˙ LA.5 Amend Existing Soils
Benefits
+ Increases the lifespan of trees and minimizes future costs associated with remedial
action and replacement of dead trees. technical Strategies
+ Preserves genetic diversity and integration with other native plantings.
+ Use of local trees improves likelihood for successful transplants. Site Assessment
+ Use of trees from local ecotypes helps preserve local pollinators, insects, birds and ˙ Evaluate local environmental conditions – including soil, climate/rainfall, elevation,
mammals. drainage, aspect, sun/shade and habitats – to help determine proper tree selection.
+ Elimination of unwarranted tree stabilization techniques protects trees from future ˙ Conduct soil analysis and assessment. (SA.2)
girdling or snapping, protects pedestrians from protruding or sharp materials, and
reduces installation cost. Planning
+ Self-supported trees develop stronger root systems and exhibit better internal ˙ Budget for maximum amount of watering to accommodate full-drought conditions.
movement of hormones and sugars.
+ Mulching provides a range of benefits including: reduced weed growth; reduced Design
need for herbicides and watering; reduced soil compaction, improved soil fertility
Design tree planting zones:
through adding nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, calcium and other nutrients; and
˙ If possible, plant trees in trenches or continuous soil zones. (LA.9)
enhanced habitat for beneficial earthworms and insects that build healthy soil and
˙ Locate trees a minimum of 3 feet from outside face of curb to protect from
increase infiltration rate.
vehicular damage. Where space is limited, plant tree pits off center.
+ Provides economic and environmental benefit by reusing yard waste that
constitutes 20% of waste stream in USA. Select trees properly to ensure health and longevity:
+ Increases health of soil, improves rainwater infiltration rate and natural detention, ˙ Purchase trees that have been grown within site’s local environment and within
increases evapotranspiration and plant health. approximately a 250-mile radius.
+ Reduces need for watering, herbicides, and fertilizers thereby protecting water quality. ˙ Ensure trees are tagged at a nursery that grows specified local ecotypes and
certifies that they are disease and pest free. Require nursery compliance with Asian
Longhorned Beatle (ALB) quarantine restrictions.
˙ Specify trees with a minimum caliper of 3 inches for canopy trees or greater than 8
feet tall for minor trees. Coordinate caliper with branching height to achieve proper
clearances for pedestrians or vehicles, species availability, adaptability of specie to
transplant success and project budget.
170
˙ Specify trees with straight trunks, strong leader, balanced branching habit and ball ˙ Leave grass clippings in place to reduce moisture loss.
sizes in accordance with American Standards for Nursery Stock.
Prepare trees for planting and execute planting:
˙ Specify seedling stock, not clonal stock, cultivars or horticulturally enhanced trees
˙ Remove all non-biodegradable burlap or twine from rootball.
to avoid limiting genetic variation.
˙ Remove girdled roots prior to planting.
˙ Select species that are not hosts to Asian Longhorned Beatle or are known hosts of
transmittable diseases (i.e. cedar-apple rust). ˙ Remove top half of wire baskets and cut remaining wires once tree has been
placed in its final location and height.
˙ Inspect trees at nursery grower to ensure root flare is visible or exposed prior to
digging. ˙ Locate trees a minimum of 3 feet from outside face of curb to protect from
vehicular damage. Where space is limited, plant tree pits off center.
˙ Select salt-tolerant species for trees located in areas susceptible to de-icing salt runoff.
˙ Plant trees in holes 3 times the diameter of rootball with tapered sides; set ball on
Avoid tree substitutions: firm sub-grade; backfill with native soil or amended native soil, depending on soil
˙ Coordinate tree specie selection with locally available growers to avoid undesirable test results; root flare must be visible.
substitutions during construction. ˙ Do not fertilize trees at time of installation.
˙ Require landscape contractor to identify nursery sources at time of bid to reduce ˙ Install specified tree protection. Refer to design section.
likelihood of substitutions. ˙ Ensure conformance with planting specifications. Require contractors to be
certified by New York State Department of Agriculture to perform work within ALB
Specify optimal tree protection:
quarantine zones.
˙ Specify tree protection such as low fences or wicket/hoop surrounds in congested
˙ Enforce two-year warrantee and maintenance.
sidewalk areas.
˙ Do not require guys or stakes unless wind, soil conditions or safety conditions Conduct mulching:
warrant their use. ˙ Choose a mulch material and particle size that is appropriate to site characteristics
˙ If necessary use rubber or polypropylene bands and flexible stakes, below ground such as slope and dimensions, aspect, soil drainage and wind exposure. If mulch
tree staples or anchors. is being used to improve soil structure and fertility, organic mulch is an appropriate
˙ Omit tree wrap unless local conditions indicate susceptibility of bark to cracking choice. A dark color mulch on a northern aspect will help capture heat; a light color
from sun. mulch on a southern aspect will help reflect heat.
˙ Do not create mulch ‘volcanoes’ up against tree trunks. Keep mulch 4 inches away
Specify soils procedures:
from tree trunks.
˙ Specify structural soils if appropriate. (LA.4)
˙ Spread mulch to a layer thickness of 3 to 4 inches.
˙ Specify appropriate soil amendments for backfilling. (LA.5)
˙ Avoid applying mulch to slopes over 33 percent.
˙ Specify mulching. See “Conduct Mulching” in next section.
˙ Maintain a mulch diameter of 4 to 6 feet around base of trees especially in lawn
Require and enforce two-year warrantee for trees. areas to protect from mower damage.
Construction Operations and Maintenance

Perform proper tree inspection: Conduct Irrigation:
˙ Require a state certified tree expert or ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) ˙ Provide supplemental water for plants during establishment period or times of
certified arborist to supervise tagging, delivery and planting of trees. sustained drought.
˙ Inspect trees for evidence of bark damage, pests or fungus if trees were wrapped in ˙ Consider requiring watering schedules from contractors.
nursery or during transport. ˙ Avoid over-watering trees to conserve water and protect roots from rot.
˙ Reject damaged or loose tree balls delivered to construction site. ˙ Prune only to remove dead, damaged or infested limbs. Prune in accordance
˙ Reject trees that do not have exposed root flare. with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA).
Monitor importation of plant material: ˙ Inspect trees annually to determine appropriate time to remove above-ground
˙ Test imported material at plant and upon delivery to site stabilization if used.
Perform irrigation as necessary: Practice On-Site Composting:
˙ Provide supplemental water for plants during establishment period or times of ˙ Create on-site compost/mulch piles or purchase from a local municipal composting
sustained drought. facility.
171
˙ Comply with NYSDEC regulations regarding on-site composting procedures City of Seattle, Department of Parks and Recreation
and permits. Best Management Practices Manual
˙ Avoid composting toxic or diseased plant materials. 2002
˙ Use only yard waste that has decomposed for a minimum of 6-12 months, Conover, Herbert
depending on material/process. Grounds Maintenance Handbook. 3rd Ed.
˙ Apply compost at a 2:1 soil-to-compost by volume ratio. The soil should pre-tilled McGraw Hill, Inc., 1977
prior to the application of compost. Two to four inches of compost should be spread
Craul, Philip J. Urban Soil in Landscape Design
over the soil and should be tilled to a depth of eight inches of existing soil. When New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
replenished annually, chemical fertilizers may be eliminated. pp.314-320
Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Watershed Management
examples Planning for Clean Water: The Municipal Guide. 1999
The City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation has published a Best Doherty, Karen, David V. Bloniarz and H. Dennis P. Ryan
Management Practices Manual that describes how it established and operates a “Positively the Pits! – Successful Strategies for Sustainable Streetscapes”
nursery that grows native species for use in its park system. www.cityofseattle.gov Tree Care Industry. November 2003
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has defined the recommended recovered Environmental Protection Agency
materials content range from various types of compost, including yard waste. The “Yard Waste Facts”
Agency has also provided a database of acceptable suppliers and testing methods. http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewater/src/yard2.htm
Forest Stewardship: Backyard Trees
REFERENCES Penn State Cooperative Extension Service, 2002
Appleton, Bonnie and Kauffman, Kathy Gerhold, Henry, Willet Wandell and Norman Lacasse eds.
Selection and Use of Mulches and Landscape Fabrics Street Trees Fact Sheets
Virginia Cooperative Extension Pennsylvania State University/Municipal Tree Reforestation Program, 1993
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/nursery/430_019/430_019.html Graham Community Plan – Natural Environment Element Policies.
Bormann, F.H., Diana Balmori, and G.T. Geballe, G.T. Pierce County, Washington
Redesigning the American Lawn http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/xml/services/home/property/pals/pdf/grahamdraftnatenv.pdf
Yale University Press, 1993 Grey, Gene W.
Brede, Doug The Urban Forest
Turfgrass Maintenance Reduction Handbook John Wiley & Sons, 1996
Ann Arbor Press, 2000 Harris, Richard W.
Chester County Conservation District Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
“Native Grass Meadow” New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1992, chapter 5
Chester County Stormwater BMP Howard, Jim, and Dean Koontz
Spring 2002 “Giving Trees a Better Chance”
City and County of Denver, Planning and Development Office Landscape Northwest, April 19, 2001
The Commons: Urban Design Standards and Guidelines http://www.djc.com/news/envir/11121031.html
Prepared by Design Workshop, Inc. 1997 Mendler, Sandra, and William Odell
http://www.denvergov.org/admin/template3/forms/CommonsGuidelines.pdf The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design
City of Ottawa Hoboken, Wiley and sons, 2000, p.56
“Design Guidelines for Corridor components – Road Edge – Road Edge Landscape” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water
http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/city_services/planningzoning/roads/roads_en.shtml “Reducing the Impacts of Stormwater Runoff.” April 1992
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dow/toolbox/
172
Portland General Electric, Earth Advantage

“Water-wise Landscaping”
http://www.earthadvantage.com
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
“The Value of Native Soil”
http://www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/solwaste/documents/restoringsoilhealthB.pdf
Richard, Thomas L., and Kate Skelton
“Yard Waste Composting”
Cornell Waste Management Institute
http://www.compost.css.cornall.edu/factsheet2.pdf
Rutgers University, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
“Planning for Clean Water: Using the Municipal Environmental Inventory”
http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/pubs/pdf
University of Maryland Extension, Home and Garden information Center
“Planting Tips for Trees“
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/hgic
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
“Conserve and Improve Your Soils”
http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/EB0201/Chapter09.pdf
Cornell University, March 1998
Village of Oak Park, Illinois
Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice. 2003
http://vil.oak-park.il.us/public/pdfs/forestry/2003%20Arboricultural%20Standards.pdf
‘Virginia Polytechnic and Virginia Cooperative Extension’
Landscape Architecture Magazine
April 2004
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.11 REDUCE USE OF TURFGRASS
LA.11 Technical Strategies

Design
Reduce use of Turfgrass ˙ Reduce use of turf especially in shaded, steeply sloped, natural or hard to maintain
areas. Replace with mulch, stone-scape, ground covers, naturalized vegetation or
low-maintenance grasses.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Coordinate selection of non turfgrass areas with drainage patterns; locate to
optimize stormwater filtration.
Establish a meadow or use native ground covers in lieu of turfgrass. Use lower ˙ Select native or well-adapted species requiring minimal or no maintenance
maintenance turfgrass species where recreational activities warrant need for mown overtime. Specify a combination of pioneer and successional species.
grass. ˙ Use turfgrass only for specific functions (sports, passive recreation); specify
drought-resistant, lower maintenance turfgrass species.
Benefits ˙ Use water-efficient landscape design (LA.13).
˙ Do not use turfgrass within 4 foot diameter (minimum) of tree trunks.
+ Reduces water consumption.
+ Minimizes the need for pesticides, fertilizer and fumigants, substantially reducing Promote public education and awareness:
maintenance costs and environmental impact. ˙ Conduct local outreach programs that educate the public about the benefits and
+ Significantly reduces bacterial, chemical and nutrient loading of ground water and care of a native landscape.
surface water bodies. ˙ Install interpretive signage at key locations to identify a distinctive turf-alternative
+ Reduces the need for supplemental irrigation and conserves potable water. landscape and to describe its benefits.
+ Eliminates the need for regular mowing, reducing maintenance costs and air ˙ Encourage local schools to incorporate educational programs about the native
pollution. Reduces damage to trees from mowing. landscape and adoption of nearby public landscapes for hands-on maintenance
+ Strengthens native plant communities, habitat and local ecosystems. and awareness training.
+ Encourages healthy soil.
+ Reduces erosion due to deeper root systems of turfgrass alternatives. Construction
˙ Follow recommended procedures for eliminating invasive species and weed seed.
LIMITATIONS (SA.4, CP.2)
˙ Follow recommended procedures for protecting planted areas. (SA.4, CP.2)
− Requires education and adaptation of landscape aesthetic expectations. ˙ Prepare soil prior to native grass/meadow/turfgrass installation to minimize use of
− May have higher initial installation costs than conventional turfgrass. fertilizer and pesticide.
− Establishing weed-free meadows requires higher initial maintenance than traditional
turfgrass. Maintenance
− Availability of alternative species fluctuates annually. ˙ Where turf is used, mow grass higher than conventional mowing height to conserve
water and energy.
integration ˙ Leave grass clippings on turf to reduce moisture loss. Reduce use of fertilizer and
pesticides in conjunction with selected lower maintenance species.
SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation ˙ Where ‘no-mow’ grass is used, mow only once per year.
SM.5 Use Vegetated Filters and Buffer Strips ˙ Where meadow grass/wildflowers are used, mow every 3-4 years. Choose mowing
LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species time to avoid disturbing wildlife and prevent spread of weed seed.
LA.13 Use Water-efficient Landscape Design ˙ Follow biointensive integrated pest management recommendations. (LA.14)
Monitoring
˙ Monitor meadows for encroachment of invasive species; reseed immediately after
removal of invasives.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.11 REDUCE USE OF TURFGRASS
references
Benson, John and Maggie Roe
Landscape and Sustainability
Spon Press, 2000
Green, Robert, and Grant Klein
”Turfgrass Best Management Practices”
California Fairways, January-February 2004
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
“Gardening and Landscaping with Native Plants”
http://www.wildflower.org
John Wiley & Sons, 2000
Thompson, J. William and Kim Sorvig
Sustainable Landscape Construction
Island Press, 2000
University of Nevada, Cooperative Extension
“Your Landscape Can Be Beautiful,
Water Efficient And Easy On The Environment”
US Food and Drug Administration Headquarters – Queens, NY http://www.unce.unr.edu/publication/EB9502/ChapterTwelve.html
Low shrubs and ground covers planted adjacent to parking lot and front entry minimize pavement and
use of turfgrass, and reduce maintenance.
PERFORMANCE GOAL
˙ Reduce turfgrass area by 60% exclusive of active sports fields.
example
The State of New Jersey has developed the Municipal Environmental Resource
Inventory that provides maps and data to facilitate sensitive site design in
municipalities. The State’s Municipal Land Use Law extends this recognition to
requiring alternatives to turfgrass to protect stormwater runoff from carrying pollutants
emanating from turfgrass.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.12 USE LOW-MAINTENANCE, SALT-TOLERANT, NATIVE OR NATURALIZED SPECIES
LA.12 integration
Use low-maintenance, ˙ SA.4

˙ LA.5
Amend Existing Soils
salt-tolerant, native or
˙ LA.11 Reduce Use of Turfgrass
Naturalized species ˙ LA.14
˙ LA.15
Use Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along the Shade-Light Continuum
OBJECTIVE
Select low-maintenance, native or naturalized plants that are tolerant of urban
conditions, require less fertilizer, pest and disease control measures, and require
less supplemental water than traditional/exotic landscapes. In conjunction with best Design
management soil practices, replace chemical fertilizers with organic amendments. ˙ Research plant disease transmission within local region to prevent planting host
Combine species to avoid host pest problems. Avoid use of invasive species to reduce species.
on-going maintenance. ˙ Coordinate new planting design with existing vegetation to be protected (SA.4).
˙ Select species based on future use conditions (road de-icing salts, soil compaction,
Benefits vegetated swale, etc.).
˙ Select plants according to anticipated or existing conditions including shade,
+ Native plants are better adapted to local climatic conditions including rainfall moisture, soils, wind, etc.
patterns and are more resistant to drought. ˙ Select plant species based on their mature size characteristics to avoid future
+ Native plants help preserve or enhance natural habitats and preserve genetic trimming or pruning oversized plants.
diversity. ˙ Select native or non-invasive naturalized species that are locally available.
+ Reduces construction and maintenance costs. ˙ Replace or augment native plant diversity during planting design process.
+ Curtailed use of chemicals in plant maintenance reduces risk of riparian and ˙ Use alternatives to turfgrass (LA.11).
ground water contamination. ˙ Write and standardize best management practice planting specifications.
+ Salt-tolerant species can withstand the harmful effects of de-icing salts and require
less frequent replacement. Construction
+ Appropriate species selection avoids disease transmission from host plants and ˙ Protect existing soils and amend as required. (LA.5, CP.2, CP.3)
reduces long-term maintenance or replacement costs. ˙ Utilize local growers and nurseries that offer nursery-propagated native species.
+ Native plants require less fertilizer and pest or disease control measures than exotic
˙ Use healthy plant selection and planting practices. (LA.10)
plants due to their adaptation to local site conditions.
+ Properly selected woody plants require less pruning and trimming. Operations and Maintenance
˙ Restrict mowing along roads to prevent incursion of invasive/exotic species.
LIMITATIONS ˙ Replant denuded areas rapidly to avoid incursion of invasive/exotic species.
˙ Perform maintenance in accordance with “Use Biointensive Integrated Pest
None.
Management.” (LA.14)
˙ Provide supplemental water during establishment period or sustained drought.
˙ Improve type and spreading techniques of de-icing salts.
˙ Follow maintenance guidelines in “Use healthy plant selection and planting
practices.” (LA.10)
176
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.12 USE LOW-MAINTENANCE, SALT-TOLERANT, NATIVE OR NATURALIZED SPECIES
Monitoring
˙ Monitor newly landscaped areas for evidence of invasive species. (LA.10)
PERFORMANCE GOAL
˙ Ensure that 70% of specified/planted species are native
˙ Ensure that 100% of species are locally adapted and non-invasive.
examples
The Nature Conservancy Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia is located on 1.6 acres
of land that includes a 0.5 acre native plant garden that demonstrates the process of
secondary succession.
The City of Ottawa Planning and Development Design Guidelines require the planting
of native, low-maintenance, salt-tolerant species along all public roads.
REFERENCES
Barrott, Susan
“Effects of De-icers on Trees and Shrubs”
University of Minnesota Extension
http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h456dde-icer.html
John Wiley & Sons, 2000, pp. 55-57
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Source Control Best Management Practices
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/watershedmgt/DOCS/BMP_DOC/chapter 2
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water
“Reducing the Impacts of Stormwater Runoff”
April 1992
Sternberg, Guy and Jim Wilson
Landscaping With Native Trees. Chapters Publishing Ltd, 1995
Cornell University, March 1998
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage program
“Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration & Landscaping”
http://www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/native.htm
Wild Ones. Local Ecotype Guidelines
http://www.for-wild.org/land/ecotype.html
www.dot.state.oh.us/ltap/Flyers/Archives/salt_and_the_environment.htm Route 9A Reconstruction – New York, NY
Native plant species selected for drought and salt tolerance, pest resistance and coordinated with driver
and cyclist sight lines.
177
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.13 USE WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN
LA.13
˙ Consider systems for rainwater collection, storage, filtration, and reuse.145
˙ Evaluate temporary vs. permanent irrigation system if planting consists of trees only.
Trees typically need supplemental water only during the establishment period.
Use Water-Efficient ˙ Group plants with similar water requirements; establish zones based on high
(regular watering), medium (occasional watering) and low (natural rainfall).
Landscape Design
Coordinate zones with aesthetic/human considerations.
˙ Minimize turf areas. Use drought-tolerant plants along pavement to minimize
radiant heat gain. (LA.11, LA.12)
Optimize water-efficiency of irrigation systems:
OBJECTIVE ˙ Where required, design an irrigation system to maximize water efficiency and
Reduce water consumption and protect water quality by designing a water-efficient uniformity of distribution. Design in accordance with soils, slope, plant species,
landscape. Eliminate the need for irrigation through selection of drought-resistant microclimate, water source and local weather conditions.
plant species. If necessary, use irrigation systems that maximize efficient use of water ˙ Assess whether temporary or permanent irrigation systems are more appropriate.
in the landscape. ˙ Design drip irrigation systems or efficient spray systems (turfgrass areas only) to
reduce evaporation loss and to avoid applying unnecessary water on pavements.
˙ Specify water-conserving irrigation management methods such as check valves,
Benefits pressure regulators, and moisture/rain/wind sensors.
+ Conserves local water supply. Construction
+ Protects water resources from contaminants associated with landscape
maintenance. ˙ Enforce warranty regarding contractor responsibilities for maintenance and
+ Reduces up front costs if no irrigation system is used. watering. Develop incentives and penalties to ensure compliance.
˙ Install irrigation system in accordance with specifications, system design criteria
and water supply source (harvested rainwater, cistern, filtered greywater, or potable
LIMITATIONS water supply).
− Requires regular monitoring to ensure optimal water efficiency and minimal Maintenance
plant loss.
˙ Maintain mulch cover to recommended depths; replenish annually.
˙ Do not shear shrubs; shearing promotes water-demanding new growth.
integration ˙ Water plants regularly during establishment period and during periods of drought, if
˙ SA.2 Conduct Soil Analysis irrigation system is not installed. Use tree gator bags or similar to reduce labor cost.
˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation ˙ Consider hand-watering for medium zones during low rainfall/drought periods after
˙ LA.5 Amend Existing Soils. establishment.
˙ LA.10 Use Healthy Plant Selection and Planting Practices ˙ Remove competitive weeds regularly.
˙ LA.11 Reduce Use of Turfgrass ˙ Regulate irrigation system in response to changing (seasonal, daily) need for water.
˙ LA.12 Use Low-maintenance, Salt-tolerant, Native or Naturalized Species Operate irrigation system at times of low evaporation.
˙ LA.15 Use Biotope-based Plant Arrangement Along the Shade-Light Continuum ˙ Repair leaks or malfunctioning components immediately to prevent water loss and
plant injury.
˙ Avoid over-watering trees to conserve water and prevent root rot.
Technical strategies Monitoring
˙ Conduct irrigation audits every 5 years to check conformance with local
Design requirements, distribution uniformity standards and functioning of sensors.
˙ Assess soil tests to determine amendments that will increase the soil’s ability to
absorb and hold water for plants. (SA.2)
145
Re-use of greywater is subject to health regulations and requires proper filtration and monitoring systems to
avoid damage to soil and plants.
178
PERFORMANCE GOAL
˙ Reduce water consumption for landscape by 50%.
˙ For irrigation systems, design and maintain a distribution uniformity of 75 for the
irrigated areas. Apply no more than 1 inch of irrigation water per week, including
rainwater, to turfgrass areas.
example
The Capital Regional District Water Department in Victoria, British Columbia has
published a Best Management Practices guide to Water conservation in the public
sector. The document features strategies for designing and maintaining water efficient
landscapes in the public right-of-way. http://www.crd.bc.ca/
references
American Water Works Association
http://www.awwa.org
Brede, Doug
Turfgrass Maintenance Reduction Handbook
Ann Arbor Press
2000
Capital Regional District, British Columbia
Best Management Practices:
Guide to Water Conservation in the Public Sector
http://crdinfo.crd.bc.ca/report_files/DMP340.pdf
Coder, Kim
“Using Gray Water on the Landscape”
University of Georgia
College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
http://interests.caes.uga.edu/drought/articles/gwlands.htm
Duble, Richard, Douglas Welsh, and William Welsh
“Landscape”
Water Conservation: Xeriscape
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/eriscape/xeriscape.html
Mecham, Brent
Best Management Practices for Landscape Irrigation
Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
http://www.ncwcd.org
National Xeriscape Council
http://www.national_xeriscape_council.php
Smith, Stephen W.
Landscape Irrigation: Design and Management Sidewalk on Beach Channel Drive – Queens, NY
John Wiley & Sons Drought tolerant, native grasses planted in a sidewalk planting strip buffer an adjacent day care center
1997 fence and absorb/cleanse runoff.
179
Rainwater Harvesting
http://www.rainwaterharvesting.com
United States Geological Survey
Water Resources of the United States
http://water.usgs.gov
Wade, Gary, and James Midcap
“A Guide to Developing a Water-Wise Landscape”
University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
http://www.ces.uga.edu/pubcd/B1073.htm
“Water Strategies”
Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide
2001
http://www.sustainabledesignguide.umn.edu/MSDG/water_pi.htm
Xeriscape and Sustainable Landscape Design
http://www.commonsensecare.com/xeriscape.html
180
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.14 USE BIOINTENSIVE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
LA.14 integration
Use Biointensive Integrated ˙ SA.4

˙ SM.2
Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control
Pest Management
OBJECTIVE
Utilize biointensive integrated pest management (BIPM) techniques to minimize TEchnical Strategies
the use of synthetic chemicals for control of disease, invasives and pests. Maintain
and control pests, invasive species and diseases at acceptable levels using the most Design
economical procedures that are the least damaging to people, property and the ˙ Specify pest-resistant cultivars.
environment. Effectively manage pests and beneficial organisms in an ecological ˙ Specify locally-grown, native species.
context. ˙ Specify a diversity of appropriate species.
Benefits Construction
˙ Prepare soil and incorporation of amendments in conjunction with invasive species
+ Significantly reduces human health hazards. elimination. (SA.4, LA.5)
+ Significantly reduces the use of toxic chemicals that pollute soil, air and water
˙ Protect planted areas from contamination and construction activities. (CP.2)
supply.
˙ Use healthy planting practices. (LA.10)
+ Maintains quality habitats for fauna.
+ Reduces cost of hazardous waste disposal. Maintenance
+ Reduces cost of chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers.
˙ Identify and understand the biology of the plants and key pests involved; recognize
the damage that pests inflict and propose appropriate control measures. Timing and
LIMITATIONS knowledge of control measures are the keys to successful BIPM.
˙ Whenever possible, employ methods that preserve, complement, and augment the
− Requires education of owner, contractor, consumers, and public to understand the
biological dynamics of the local ecosystem.
process and accept unconventional landscape aesthetics.
˙ Establish thresholds of acceptable levels of damage for each landscape type based
− Requires training of landscape contractors.
on aesthetic appearance and pest species. Educate the client, users and public.
˙ Utilize a combination of regulatory, genetic, biological, cultural and chemical control
Background measures.
- Regulatory: Chemical products regulated by local, state and federal agencies.
In recent years, increased public concern about the dangers of chemical pesticides
- Genetic: Control measures based on host pest resistance and autocidal action.
has resulted in the development of less costly and less toxic alternatives. An
- Biological: Control measures based on using natural enemies or beneficial
integrated pest management system utilizes a suite of environmentally compatible
organisms (microbial pesticides).
techniques and ‘bio-pesticides’ (products that contain botanical insecticides derived
- Cultural: Control measures based on using best maintenance practices including
from plants) to maintain pest populations at levels below those causing economically
pruning, sanitation, cultivation, mulching, nutrient management.
unacceptable damage or loss.
- Chemical: Use non-toxic, non-residual chemicals or alternatives such as soaps,
oils and bacterial preparations. Where required, use spot treatment of chemicals.
Prevent water pollution and practice source control. (SM.2)
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.14 USE BIOINTENSIVE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Monitoring Best Management Practices and Integrated Pest Management Resources and Recommendations
Cornell University Environmental Risk Analysis Program
˙ Monitor plants monthly to check for vigor, structure, safety and the presence of http://environmentalrisk.cornell.edu/PRI/RedRisk-BMP.cfm
diseases, and pests as well as beneficial organisms.
˙ Keep records of IPM procedures to assist in on-going proactive management McMullen, Marcia and Bruce Seeling
decision. Integrated Pest Management BMPs for Groundwater Protection from Pesticides
˙ Monitor and control invasive specie encroachment. North Dakota State University Extension Service
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/h2oqual/watgrnd/ae1114w.htm
Regulatory Issues
National Integrated Pest Management Network
˙ Comply with City, state and federal codes regarding types, use, application and http://www.reeusda.gov/nipmn
disposal of chemical controls.
Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution Control:
example Best Management Practices Manual
December 1994
The Catholic University of America implemented an integrated pest management
Pirone, P.P.
program as part of a campus wide environmental awareness initiative. The project’s
Tree Maintenance
goals were to decrease the amount of chemicals used on campus, to decrease
6th Edition
the potential exposure to pesticides, and to improve overall campus health and Oxford University Press, 1988
environmental sustainability. In addition to meeting all of these goals, the University
saved money by reducing the amount of chemicals purchased and by reducing Shigo, A. L.
hazardous waste disposal costs. Modern Arboriculture: A Systems Approach to Trees and Their Associates
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/univ/pdfs/BMPs/CatholicUnivIPM.pdf University of North Carolina Press, 1991
United States Environmental Protection Agency
“Marketing Landscape Integrated Pest Management Services to Customers”
references http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/PESP/regional_grants/1999/r2-199.htm
Association of Natural Bio-Control Producers _____

http://ANBP.org New England Office
“Facilities: Grounds Maintenance-Integrated Pest Management”
Bio-Integrated Resource Center April 2003
http://www.keyed.com/birc/index.html
Harris, Richard W.
Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape, Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
Prentice Hall, 1992
Dufour, Rex
“Biointensive Integrated Pest Management”
National Center for Appropriate Technology
http://www.attra.ncat.org
Elements of New York State IPM
Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ipmnet/ny/index.html
Integrated Pest Management Institute of North America
http://www.ipminstitute.org
Levitan, Lois
182
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.15 USE BIOTOPE-BASED PLANT ARRANGEMENT ALONG THE SHADE-LIGHT CONTINUUM
LA.15 integration
Use biotope-based plant ˙ SA.2

˙ SA.4
Conduct Soil Analysis
arrangement along the

shade–light continuum ˙ LA.1
˙ LA.2
Optimize Citywide Landscape Planning
Encourage Ecological Connectivity and Habitat
OBJECTIVE ˙ LA.14 Use Biointensive Integrated Pest Management
In wide planting zones, use biotope-based arrangement along the shade – light
continuum. Effective shade management uses plants to block sunlight from striking
the soil surface and to intercept, scatter and reflect radiant energy to protect paved Technical Strategies
surfaces from direct sunlight. This planting strategy mimics natural distribution of
canopy, understory, shrub, and herbaceous layers based on sunlight/shade tolerance Design
of individual plant species.
˙ Design using principles of successional landscape: arrange native or locally
appropriate species along a vertical gradient from low herbaceous to high canopy
Benefits trees.
+ Reinforces and protects habitat and promotes species migration between habitat ˙ Coordinate with habitat restoration and ecological connectivity. (LA.2)
fragments. ˙ Coordinate with natural drainage patterns to serve as buffer and filter along riparian
+ Filters and recharges stormwater runoff if located properly. corridors. (SM.1 to SM.4)
+ Reintroduces moisture into the atmosphere thus reducing nearby building cooling ˙ Coordinate planting design with prevailing seasonal wind patterns to maximize heat
loads. evacuation in summer and heat trap in winter.
+ Conserves moisture and reduces urban heat island effect. ˙ Select native and locally appropriate, naturalized non-invasive species.
+ Reduces long-term maintenance; reduces establishment and spread of invasive
species.
Construction
+ Preserves genetic biodiversity. ˙ Protect existing vegetation and soils from construction impacts. (CP.2, CP.3)
Maintenance
LIMITATIONS ˙ Establish maintenance procedures for natural/naturalized areas based on best
− Effective biotope gradient planting requires significant width (minimum 300 feet) to management practices for similar local ecotypes.
create sustainable ecosystem. ˙ Monitor management practices to ensure continued diversity; remove invasive
species and replant with appropriate plant material.
˙ Encourage public education on the values of ecological succession and biotope
Background diversity.
A biotope is a region definable by its specific environmental parameters and
ecological conditions which support the organisms living there. Using biotope-based
plant groupings is an emerging practice. Where space permits, such an approach
may improve vegetation hardiness and longevity, while providing enhanced habitat
and an aesthetically pleasing palette of plant material.
183
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE ˙ LA.15 USE BIOTOPE-BASED PLANT ARRANGEMENT ALONG THE SHADE-LIGHT CONTINUUM
Grey, Gene W.
The Urban ForestZ
John Wiley& Sons, 1996
Marsh, William
Landscape Planning: Environmental Applications
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
1983
McKinney, M.
“Urbanization, Biodiversity and Conservation”
Bioscience, Vol. 52, No. 10
October 2002
pp.883-890
Ricketts, T.
“The Matrix Matters: Effective isolation in Fragmented Landscapes”
American Naturalist, Vol. 158
pp. 87-99
New York State Biodiversity Research Institute
“Biodiversity Reading List”
http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/bri/read.html
Smith, Daniel S., and Paul Cawood Hellmund
Prudential Insurance Company Headquarters – New Jersey
Ecology of Greenways
Plant material arranged from high to low species to mimic natural solar
Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press
gradient of canopy, understory and herbaceous layers.
1993
example Chapter 2
Germany has taken the lead in developing laws that are intended to conserve and
augment significant biotopes. In 1990, Berlin adopted a law that legally protects
specific natural environments and specifies compensatory mitigation measures
including review of landscape plans to ensure restoration of successional biotopes.
references
Binelli, E.K., M.L. Duryea,, and V. Kornhak, eds.
Restoring the Urban Forest Ecosystem
University of Florida Extension
June 2000
“Biodiversity and Human Health –
Ecosystem Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural Ecosystems”
www.ecology.org/biod/value/EcosystemServices.html
City of Berlin, Senate Department of Urban Development
“Nature Protection Areas and Landscape Protection Areas”
Edition 2003
www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/umwelt/umweltatlas/eda506_01.htm
184
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ LANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPE
185
CONSTRUCTION
PRACTICES
CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
CP.4 Implement a Waste Management and Recycling Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
CP.6 Use Cleaner Construction Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.1 DEVELOP AND ENFORCE A SITE PROTECTION PLAN
CP.1 TECHNICAL STRATEGIES

Illustrate site protection plan(s) on all relevant site plans: Site preparation/demolition/
Develop and Enforce

removals plan; grading and site utilities plans, etc.
Clearly mark limits of construction and other relevant areas:
a Site Protection Plan

˙ Mark clearing limits and approved work areas.
˙ Identify areas of site requiring significant excavation.
˙ Limit excavation and soil disturbance to minimum area necessary to perform work.
˙ Establish construction access points.
˙ Prevent soil compaction. Use lightest-weight machinery possible.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Include designated stockpile location(s) and truck access route(s).
Develop, implement, and enforce a site protection plan to minimize impact of ˙ Indicate on plans and in specifications that protection barriers may have to be
construction activity in and adjacent to the right-of-way. relocated and reinstalled during construction to provide temporary access.
˙ Specify that under no circumstances shall material, equipment or debris be
stockpiled within the protection zones.
Benefits Develop a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. (CP.3)
+ Minimizes community disruption.
+ Reduces noise and air pollution. Include the following considerations in the site protection plan:
+ Reduces water pollution and sedimentation. ˙ Protect topsoil from compaction, erosion and disruption. (CP.2)
+ Reduces soil disturbance, compaction, and erosion. ˙ Protect existing trees and vegetation. (SA.4, CP.2)
+ Protects existing plants and reduces cost of additional planting and topsoil. ˙ Protect planted areas against chemical contamination. (CP.2)
+ Improves contractors’ awareness and sensitivity to environmental and social ˙ Protect new plantings. (CP.2)
impacts of construction. ˙ Protect against invasive species. (SA.4, CP.2, LA.14)
˙ Minimize sedimentation and erosion. (CP.3)
˙ Prevent water pollution and control sources. (CP.3, SM.2)
LIMITATIONS ˙ Use interim stormwater management to reduce and treat runoff. (CP.3)
− Ineffective without cooperation among contractors and construction ˙ Implement a waste management and recycling plan. (CP.4)
manager/owner. Minimize noise and disruption to community. (CP.5)
− May increase costs on projects with restricted site areas.
Properly sequence major construction activities to minimize environmental impact and community
disruption. (CP.5)
integration
Use alternative contracting methods to minimize construction delays and work stoppages. Maintain
˙ SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities transportation patterns. (CP.5)
˙ SM.2 Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control Promote awareness and enforcement:
˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas ˙ Ensure that all disciplines respect the protection plan throughout the design and
˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction construction process.
˙ CP.4 Implement a Waste Management and Recycling Program ˙ Require contractor to maintain protection barrier in good condition throughout the
˙ CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction life of the contract.
˙ CP.6 Use Cleaner Construction Equipment ˙ Develop special contract provisions to enforce site protection goals. Include both
incentives and penalties.
˙ Enforce restrictions by imposing fines on contractor(s) who violate protection
requirements.
˙ Post signage communicating site protection measures, including vehicle protocols,
parking and site access, storage of waste and recyclables, storage of hazardous
188
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.1 DEVELOP AND ENFORCE A SITE PROTECTION PLAN
materials and vehicle cleaning areas.

˙ Conduct meetings to educate workers about site disturbance and water pollution
control measures.
˙ Meet with contractor and/or construction manager at outset to coordinate site
protection measures.

˙ Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of site protection measures. Ensure
that site protection markings are maintained.
˙ Inspect erosion and sedimentation control measures after heavy rainfalls (1/2’ in
less than 24 hours).
˙ Remove sediment from sediment traps when design capacity has been reduced by
50%.
˙ Periodically inspect hazardous materials containers and perform necessary
maintenance.
˙ Monitor trees whose roots have been cut during construction for stability and
health.
˙ Monitor disturbed soils over time to ensure stability and re-vegetation.
˙ Remove hazardous conditions.
Develop and enforce a post-construction mitigation plan.
Shore Parkway Bikeway – Queens, NY
Consider the use of progress payment schedules to ensure contractor compliance: Under this Evidence of well-executed site protection plan minimizes disturbance to existing trees.
type of contract, money is held back from the contractor until they complete certain
tasks – including landscape maintenance, site protection measures, etc. Requires REFERENCES
monitoring to ensure compliance.
City of Seattle
Develop a system to impose liquidated damages on contractors that cause injury to planted areas Department of Parks and Recreation
or fail to follow protection measures. Best Management Practices
Develop performance goals to maximize the use of local materials. Endeavor to obtain the http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/Publications/policy/bmp.pdf
materials within 100 miles if transported by truck and 300 miles if transported by rail
or barge. Conover, Herbert
Grounds Maintenance Handbook
3rd Edition
example New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. – 1977
The City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation’s Best Management Practices Kuhn, Larry
guide contains a chapter entitled ‘Construction Site Management’ that describes “Creative Site Preparation”
methods to sustain vegetation assets, avoid soil compaction and degradation, avoid Pennsylvania State University – 1991
physical injury to trees and protect soils and hydraulic integrity of a site during Musick, Mark and Howard Stenn
construction. “Best Management Practices for Post-Construction Soils”
Biocycle: Journal of Composting and Organics Recycling
Vol. 45, No. 2, February 2004, p. 29
http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/000103.html
189
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.2 PROTECT EXISTING AND FUTURE PLANTED AREAS
CP.2
˙ Cover exposed soils immediately with erosion-control measures.
˙ Protect soils from chemical cleaning products and other pollutants.
˙ Test soils impacted by construction activity prior to planting; amend or remediate as
protect existing and required to meet specifications.

˙ Monitor disturbed soils over time to ensure stability and re-vegetation.
future planted areas

˙ Permit earthwork operations during dry weather only; soil moisture content should
not exceed 20% during operations.
Minimize impact from chemical applications:
˙ Specify sterilants/herbicides/pesticides with short residual periods, selected
OBJECTIVE specifically for the species to be eradicated and within USEPA standards of low
Protect existing and future planted areas from soil compaction and disturbance, toxicity to humans and animals. Use non-selective, non-residual herbicide, a
chemical pollution, damage from construction equipment, invasive species, and so glyphosate without surfactant if possible.
on. Monitor and maintain vegetation protection measures. ˙ Follow appropriate federal, state, or local environmental and health standards to
assess risk when planning the use of chemical substances.
˙ Avoid chemical applications that can vaporize into the atmosphere, be residually
Benefits absorbed by soil or plants or be leached into groundwater.
+ Maintains natural infiltration and soil porosity by reducing soil disturbance and ˙ Prohibit use of methyl bromide or other soil fumigants.
compaction. ˙ Coordinate herbicide applications with growth characteristics of invasive species.
+ Reduces cost of additional planting and topsoil. ˙ Require submission of test reports, material safety data sheets, application
+ Protects existing or new plants from construction-related contaminants that alter procedures and timing of any chemical applications to vegetation.
nutrient transfer capacity of soils and introduce toxic heavy metals. ˙ Specify that surrounding areas are to be protected from migration of chemical
+ Preserves desirable vegetation and natural soil profile. applications.
+ Improves quality of life and increases property value. ˙ Use biointensive integrated pest management. (LA.14)
+ Minimizes pollution, sedimentation and erosion of receiving waters. ˙ Ensure truck washing and other cleaning procedures take place away from planted
areas.
LIMITATIONS Minimize impact of de-icing procedures:

˙ Prohibit use of sodium chloride as de-icing salt; use calcium chloride mixed
− Ineffective without cooperation among contractors and construction manager/owner. with sand and fine gravel away from vegetated areas. Consider use of calcium
− May increase costs on projects with restricted site areas. magnesium acetate (CMA) in lieu of road salt especially in sensitive ecological
areas. Use grit on less traveled paths and within park areas.
integration ˙ Monitor weather, maintain salt spreading equipment and use good de-icing salt
spreading techniques to reduce impact on vegetated areas. Use mix of de-icing salt
˙ SA.1 Assess Site and High Performance Opportunities and sand.
˙ CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan Protect existing trees and vegetation:
˙ CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction ˙ Discuss tree and vegetation protection plans at the alignment meeting and take
˙ CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction necessary steps to coordinate utility work and earthwork to reduce impact.
˙ Implement tree and vegetation protection plans. (SA.4, CP.2)
˙ Implement tree removal and transportation plans. (SA.4, CP.2)
TECHNICAL STRATEGIES ˙ Illustrate protection plan(s) on all relevant site plans, including the site preparation/
Protect topsoil from compaction, erosion and disturbance: demolition/removals plan and on the grading and site utilities plans.
˙ Protect existing topsoil or subsoil from compaction. ˙ Remove hazardous conditions from protection zone.
˙ Specify low ground pressure (LGP) equipment for construction operations within ˙ Minimize, or if possible prohibit, earthmoving within protected tree or vegetation/
planted areas. riparian zones.
˙ Prohibit construction vehicles from driving or staging on future planted areas. ˙ Protect roots of preserved trees from excavation.
˙ If necessary, provide geotextile fabric and 12 inch gravel layer for access routes. ˙ If excavation is required, hand excavate within protection zone.
˙ Cover exposed roots with wet burlap; reinstall native soil immediately within
190
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.2 PROTECT EXISTING AND FUTURE PLANTED AREAS
exposed root zone; maintain mulch cover over protected trees.

˙ Use micro-tunneling and other trenchless technologies, and air-spading, rather
than cut and cover technique, to install utilities within tree protection zone.
˙ Monitor for stability and health trees whose roots have been cut during
construction.
˙ Perform compensatory pruning in the event of root or crown damage; perform work
using a certified arborist.
˙ Monitor vegetation for evidence of destructive pests or damage to ecosystem.
Protect new plantings:
˙ Coordinate soil and planting installation with other construction activities to protect
from damage.
˙ Monitor vegetation for evidence of destructive pests or damage to ecosystem.
Protect against invasive species:
˙ Implement invasive species eradication plan. (SA.4, CP.2) Riverdale Country School, Upper Campus – Bronx, NY
˙ Control invasive species in compliance with local, state and federal regulations. Soil erosion control, tree protection and delineated construction activity zone
˙ Understand invasive species’ growth habit and identify optimal season(s) for
eradication by hand or chemical means. REFERENCES
City of Seattle. Department of Parks and Recreation Best Management Practices
˙ Where possible, specify mechanical controls such as hand pulling or tarpaulin
suppressant. http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/Publications/policy/bmp.pdf
˙ If chemical application is needed, use appropriate soil sterilant or non-residual
systemic herbicide as applicable to the particular specie to be eradicated and the Conover, Herbert
surrounding vegetation and hydrologic conditions. See ‘Protection against chemical Grounds Maintenance Handbook, 3rd Edition
New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1977
contamination’ above.
˙ Select native and non-invasive plants for re-vegetation. (LA.12) Environment Canada Website
˙ Monitor zones eradicated of invasive species to ensure continued control. http://www.ec.gc.ca
˙ Remove reappearance of invasive species by hand or with recommended • Soil quality:
herbicide. http://www.ec.gc.ca/ceqg-rcqe/english/html/soil_protocol.cfm
˙ Specify that all parts of invasive plants are to be removed from the site and • Toxics and hazardous substances:
disposed of legally. Identify species to be eradicated. http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/default.cfm
˙ If applicable, use permanent root barriers for long term protection. http://www.ec.gc.ca/toxics/en/index.cfm
˙ Ensure contractor has experience and full-time supervisory personnel. • Risk assessment:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/psap/psap.cfm
Develop a system to impose liquidated damages on contractors that cause injury to planted areas
Kuhn, Larry
or fail to follow protection measures.
“Creative Site Preparation”
Employ a certified arborist to monitor projects that require sensitive site protection measures. Pennsylvania State University, 1991
Musick, Mark and Howard Stenn
PERFORMANCE GOAL ‘Best Management Practices for Post-Construction Soils’
Biocycle: Journal of Composting and Organics Recycling, Vol. 45, No. 2, February 2004, p. 29
Protect 65% or more of the existing vegetated areas beyond the construction limit zone. http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/000103.html
example “Stormwater Information”
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dow/mainpage.htm
The City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation’s Best Management Practices
guide contains a chapter entitled ‘Construction Site Management’ that describes methods United States Environmental Protection Agency
to sustain vegetation assets, avoid soil compaction and degradation, avoid physical “Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities”
injury to trees and protect soils and hydraulic integrity of a site during construction. http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/const.cfm
191
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.3 PROTECT WATER SOURCES DURING CONSTRUCTION
CP.3
˙ Control chemicals and pollutant sources: Store hazardous materials in a clearly
marked designated area away from water sources and vegetated areas. Dispose of
chemicals and pollutants according to local, state or federal regulations.
Protect Water Sources ˙ Periodically inspect material containers and perform necessary maintenance.
˙ Cover soil after stripping, amending or placement.
During Construction
˙ Prevent detergents and chemicals from entering into stormwater management
BMPs and conveyance infrastructure.
˙ Establish and educate workers about clean-up procedures for spills.
˙ Ensure that truck washing occurs in designated locations and away from catch
OBJECTIVE basins.
˙ Minimize the use and impact of herbicides/insecticides/pesticides. (CP.2, CP.3)
Undertake conscientious construction practices to protect water sources. Implement ˙ Use biointensive integrated pest management. (LA.14)
plans for pollution prevention, chemical source control, sedimentation and erosion ˙ Minimize impact of de-icing procedures. (SM.2)
control, and interim stormwater management. Monitor and maintain protection of
water sources. Minimize sedimentation and erosion:
˙ Develop a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan prepared by a CPESC (Certified
Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control).
Benefits ˙ Where appropriate implement NYSDEC sedimentation and erosion guidelines for
+ Minimizes water pollution. projects less than one acre.
+ Minimizes community disruption. ˙ Incorporate erosion and sedimentation plans into contract documents.
+ Reduces noise and air pollution. ˙ Limit excavation and soil disturbance to minimum area necessary to perform work.
+ Reduces soil disturbance, compaction, and erosion. ˙ Stabilize soils, channels and outlets.
+ Improves contractors’ awareness and sensitivity to environmental and social ˙ Identify and protect slopes in excess of 10%, or areas of significant vegetation.
impacts of construction. ˙ Implement a no-construction buffer zone along water bodies.
+ Helps minimize site disturbance. ˙ Use catch basin inserts or an alternate method to reduce sediment and debris
entering into storm sewer.
˙ Identify and stabilize sediment deposits.
LIMITATIONS ˙ Clean sediment traps when design capacity has been reduced by 50%.
− Ineffective without cooperation among contractors and construction manager. ˙ Inspect erosion and sedimentation control measures after heavy rainfalls
− May increase costs on projects with restricted site areas. (1/2’ in less than 24 hours).
˙ Stockpile topsoil appropriately and protect from erosion.
integration Provide interim stormwater management to reduce and treat runoff:
˙ SA.4 Survey Existing Vegetation ˙ Develop performance targets to reduce, detain and treat runoff.
˙ SM.2 Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control ˙ Develop and implement interim stormwater management regime.
˙ CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan ˙ Monitor stormwater management BMPs to ensure that they meet
˙ CP.2 Protect Existing and Future Planted Areas performance targets.
˙ CP.5 Minimize Disruption and Impact of Right-of-Way Construction Use environmentally benign substances to control rodents during construction.

˙ Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of water source protection measures.
Prevent water pollution and control sources: ˙ Clean sediment traps when design capacity has been reduced by 50%.
˙ Reduce the use of hazardous materials. ˙ Inspect erosion and sedimentation control measures after heavy rainfalls
˙ Minimize the use of toxic materials and VOC-containing compounds. (1/2’ in less than 24 hours).
˙ Dispose of hazardous waste according to local, state or federal regulations. ˙ Periodically inspect control of hazardous materials and other materials.
192
˙ Monitor disturbed soils over time to ensure stability and re-vegetation. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
˙ After construction, evaluate the effectiveness of water source protection regime to New York State Standards for Urban Erosion and Sediment Control
improve future construction work.
˙ Re-vegetate denuded areas as soon as appropriate planting season permits. New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dow/mainpage.htm
Enforcement United States Environmental Protection Agency
˙ Improve construction supervision to ensure contractor compliance with erosion and “Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities”
sedimentation control plans. http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/const.cfm
˙ Encourage education of contractors about water quality issues.
˙ Develop incentives and penalties for compliance.
˙ Undertake community outreach programs to promote public awareness.
Conduct pilot projects: In a variety of settings, conduct pilot projects to develop the most
effective techniques for minimizing sedimentation, erosion, and water pollution during
construction.
REFERENCES
City of Seattle
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/Publications/policy/bmp.pdf
Conover, Herbert
Grounds Maintenance Handbook.
3rd Edition
New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1977
Environment Canada Website
http://www.ec.gc.ca
• Soil quality:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/ceqg-rcqe/english/html/soil_protocol.cfm
• Toxics and hazardous substances:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/default.cfm
http://www.ec.gc.ca/toxics/en/index.cfm
• Risk assessment:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/psap/psap.cfm
Kuhn, Larry
‘Creative Site Preparation’
Pennsylvania State University, 1991
Musick, Mark and Howard Stenn
‘Best Management Practices for Post-Construction Soils’
Biocycle: Journal of Composting and Organics Recycling
Vol. 45, No. 2, February 2004, p. 29
http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/000103.html
193
CP.4
fees and costs associated with waste transportation out of the City. Additionally
many contractors save money by recycling asphalt, concrete, metals, fill, and other
materials common to infrastructure from one job to the next. It is estimated that
Implement a Waste Management approximately 60% of fill and 40% of non-fill materials are taken to waste processors,
which recycle almost 100% of C&D waste they receive.
and recycling Plan Implementing a waste management plan will help reduce exported City waste,
reduce air pollution, realize cost savings through material recovery, and create more
market opportunities in the waste processing industry. In general, waste management
decisions should be made in accordance with the preferred hierarchy of 1) reuse on-
OBJECTIVE site, 2) recycle on-site, 2) reuse off-site and 3) recycle off-site.
Implement a construction and demolition waste management plan for infrastructure
construction to reduce the amount of waste entering the waste stream and increase Technical Strategies
recovery of recyclable materials.
Regulate Management of C&D Waste in Contract Documents
Benefits Develop standard C&D waste specifications: Include the following requirements in contract
documents, editable on a per project basis:
+ Conserves and reduces pressure on local landfills.
+ Decreases transportation costs and reduces pollution. ˙ Establish general waste management goals (in cubic yards).
+ Reduces soil, water and air pollution. ˙ Require submittal of a C&D waste management plan.
+ Reduces use of virgin materials. ˙ Require interim submittal of delivery receipts for recovered and waste materials
+ Promotes local economic development. sent to waste processing or landfill facilities.
+ Strengthens the market for recycled materials. ˙ Specify acceptable site management practices (see “Manage Site to Reduce
Waste”).
Limitations Develop a C&D waste management plan: At project outset, require submittal of a plan that
includes:
− May increase construction costs. ˙ Indication of how contractor proposes to recover a specified percentage of C&D
− Lack of availability of markets for recycled materials could minimize effectiveness waste for reuse and recycling.
of recycling plan. ˙ Identification of anticipated materials to be reused or recycled, and estimation of
− Ineffective without contractor compliance and agency enforcement. amount by weight.
˙ Identification of anticipated materials that are not reusable or recyclable.
integration ˙ Coordination of material recovery with construction and demolition schedule.
˙ List of insured and licensed waste processors to be used, organized by location and
˙ CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan ranked by C&D recycling rates.
˙ PA.6 Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials ˙ Indication of situations in which compliance with standard C&D waste specifications
˙ LA.6 Perform Soil Berming do not apply or are not possible.
Document C&D waste management efforts:
background ˙ File recycling and waste disposal receipts to aid in estimating the quantities
More than 60% of New York City’s solid waste stream consists of construction and generated on future projects.
demolition (C&D) debris generated from land clearing and excavation, as well as ˙ Fill out recycling economics worksheet for each project to track cost of
work performed on structures, roads and utilities.146 Approximately 19,500 tons of implementing C&D waste management plan versus conventional waste disposal
fill and 13,500 tons of other C&D material are generated daily. Most of the disposal process (see King County, Washington).
or recycling of this waste is handled by private companies. Thanks to the favorable ˙ Generate a post-construction report documenting waste diverted (by weight, type)
economics of C&D waste management in infrastructure projects, many contractors and money saved, for future reference on other projects.
have developed effective recycling routines. In doing so, they avoid landfill tipping Manage site to reduce waste:
146
˙ Make decisions in accordance with the waste management hierarchy of reuse on-
C&D waste includes concrete, stones and dirt generated during excavation (referred to as ‘fill’ or rubble),
asphalt, wood, metals (ferrous and non-ferrous), and miscellaneous materials (dry wall, insulation, light
site, recycle on-site, reuse off-site, and recycle off-site.
194 fixtures, carpeting, etc.)
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.4 IMPLEMENT A WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING PLAN
˙ Return, resell or reuse substandard, rejected or unused materials. Coordinate C&D Efforts to Reduce Vehicular Miles Traveled
˙ Review and modify storage and handling practices to reduce material loss from
Encourage rail-and-barge served transfer facilities:
weather, theft, and other damage.
˙ Consider feasibility of managing C&D waste transfer at Marine Transfer Stations.
˙ Verify correct amount of material is delivered to the site.
˙ Consider allowing the public to remove materials for their own use. Maintain area lists of licensed local haulers and waste processors:
˙ Organize on basis of location.
Manage ongoing site waste:
˙ Designate materials accepted at facility.
˙ Require vendors to take back packaging when products are unpacked upon delivery,
˙ Designate whether facilities accept source-separated or commingled waste.
or when multiple deliveries make it possible to retrieve packing from a prior delivery.
˙ Recycle packaging materials and other miscellaneous site waste.
˙ Ensure waste materials do not get contaminated. example
˙ Clearly label all recycling bins and waste containers on site.
Construction Works, a program administered by the King County, Washington State
˙ Post lists of recyclable and non-recyclable materials.
Solid Waste Division, provides one-on-one technical assistance to contractors setting
˙ Conduct regular site visits to verify that bins are not contaminated.
up jobsite recycling and waste-reduction programs. In order to participate, the
˙ Provide feedback to the crew and subcontractors on the results of their efforts. contractor must agree to meet the following requirements:
Separate on-site when possible: ˙ Implement six waste-prevention strategies.
Separation of materials on-site generally yields a better price for materials and results ˙ Recycle at least 60 percent of its construction waste.
in better recycling rates. Use the following factors to determine whether on-site ˙ Use six or more recycled-content building materials.
separation is feasible: ˙ Conduct at least three activities that promote waste prevention, recycling and/or
˙ availability of space. the use of recycled-content products to their employees, customers and/or the
˙ volume of C&D waste. community.
˙ relative proportions of C&D waste. In exchange for participation, the contractor receives recognition in local business and
industry publications as well as awards for outstanding participants from the County.
Ensure high recycling rates of mixed C&D waste:
When on-site separation is not possible, the following practices will help ensure higher
recycling rates of commingled waste: references
˙ Clearly designate and label container for placement of recyclables. California Integrated Waste Management Board
˙ Place a separate, clearly labeled dumpster designated for waste disposal adjacent “Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling”
to recycling container to avoid confusion and contamination. http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ConDemo/
˙ When providing contractor with list of approved, area waste processors, indicate
King County, Washington “Waste Management Specifications”
recycling rates.
http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/documents/const_waste_management_2003.pdf
˙ Require pre-hauling verification and approval of mixed C&D waste processor.
King County, Washington “Construction Works”
Employ Creative Waste Management Strategies Program for Recognizing Jobsites that Recycle and Reduce Waste
Promote ‘zero waste’ in private and public sector: http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/constructionworks.asp
˙ Develop partnerships between local government entities, industry, and the public to King County, Washington “Sample Recycling Economics Worksheet”
reduce waste when possible, achieve highest and best use of all materials, and find http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/documents/economics_worksheet.xls
markets for recycled materials. New York Department of Design and Construction, Office of Sustainable Design
˙ Consider giving incentives (in the form of discounts on required permits) to utilities Construction and Demolition Waste Manual – May 2003
and other entities performing work in the right-of-way that agree to implement a http://nyc.gov/html/ddc/html/ddcgreen/reports.html
C&D waste management plan.
_____
Prevent waste in design and material procurement: “Sample C&D Waste Management Plan and C&D Waste Specifications for Typical DDC Projects”
˙ Define material efficiency as a primary design parameter. http://nyc.gov/html/ddc/html/ddcgreen/specwaste.html
˙ Consult recycled material market directory when selecting materials of construction. Thomas Outerbridge
(PA.6 part I) City Green Inc. Telephone Interview by author on October 21, 2004 (Written notes)
˙ Choose materials with little or no packaging.
˙ Request vendors deliver materials in reusable containers.
195
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.4 IMPLEMENT A WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING PLAN
CP.5 Technical Strategies

Impose “lane rental fees” for construction work that requires street or sidewalk closing:
Minimize Disruption and

Requiring the contractor to pay a rental fee for closing lanes of traffic and sidewalks
works as an effective incentive to minimize the disruption of construction work. The
fee accrues based on the amount of time the contractor obstructs or occupies part of
impact of Right-of-Way the roadway, and is based on the estimated cost of delay and inconvenience to the
road user during this period.
Construction ˙ Standardize lane rental rates for different road types and locations throughout
the City.
˙ Develop a range of fees for each location based on number of lane closings,
type, time of day, etc.
OBJECTIVE ˙ Affirm the lane rental fee in the bidding contract in units of dollars per lane per
Employ alternative contracting strategies and creative design and construction time increment.
solutions to minimize the duration of street closures, traffic diversions and detours, ˙ Deduct rental fee from progress payments.
noise and disruption resulting from construction work in the public right-of-way. Make judicious use of Incentives/Disincentives to accelerate work: Consider the use of bonus
payments for early completion of construction, or penalties for late completion.147
Benefits Creative design and construction phasing to reduce impact to pedestrian and business patterns:
+ Avoids impeding emergency vehicles. ˙ Schedule project phases to occur simultaneously whenever possible.
+ Reduces work stoppages and construction delays. ˙ When design and construction alternatives exist, select the method that minimizes
+ Minimizes traffic congestion. impact to community and environment.
+ Reduces air and water pollution, and soil erosion.
+ Reduces comprehensive costs to area residents, workers, and businesses.
+ Reduces pavement degradation.
example
+ Reduces maintenance and rehabilitation costs for the City. A recent street reconstruction project in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx
+ Improves infrastructure lifecycles. sought to minimize economic losses incurred by local wholesale fruit and vegetable
distribution centers. The NYC DDC decided to construct a full-depth flexible asphalt
pavement to give delivery trucks interim access during construction.
Limitations
Generic Lane Rental Example: A single lane closure from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm would
None. bill at $2,000 per hour from 7:00 to 9:00 am (rush hour) and $500 per hour from
9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The total estimated rental fees proposed by the contractor can
integration be combined with the cost of work items and used as a criterion to determine the
successful bidder.
˙ PA.1 Maximize Pavement Lifecycle Citywide References
˙ UI.1 Minimize Impact of Utility Work None.
˙ CP.1 Develop and Enforce a Site Protection Plan
˙ CP.6 Use Cleaner Construction Equipment
147
The NYC DOT and the NYS DOT base their Incentive/Disincentive policies in part on sample provisions
issued by the FHWA. The FHWA policy on bonus payments is based in part on the evaluation of National
Experimental and Evaluation Program (NEEP) Project #24 which showed that I/D provisions are a valuable
cost-effective construction tool.
196
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.6 USE CLEANER CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
CP.6 BACKGROUND
In urban areas, diesel exhaust from construction vehicles may comprise as much
Use Cleaner Construction as 36% of the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) mass,148 10% of all nitrogen oxide
(NOx) pollution,149 and contain a variety of other toxins, causing a serious threat to
public health.150 Despite progress in emissions control of heavy-duty diesel vehicles
Equipment (HDDVs) in the mining sector and for public transportation vehicles, emission control
of construction equipment – referred to as ‘non-road’ vehicles by the EPA – has not
been widely implemented.151
OBJECTIVE Emissions from HDDVs can be reduced using a combination of cleaner fuel
technologies and emission control retrofit devices. In 2003, New York City passed
Reduce diesel emissions from construction equipment through undertaking vehicle Local Law 77, legislation requiring the use of cleaner, ultra low sulfur diesel fuel
retrofits and through using cleaner alternatives to traditional diesel fuel. (ULSD), in conjunction with ‘Best Available Technology’ (BAT), or retrofit devices
such as oxidation catalysts, filters and adsorbers. Local Law 77 is part of the same
Benefits legislative family as the US EPA Clean Air Non-road Diesel rule, which will also help
significantly to reduce the risk that diesel emissions pose to public health.152
+ Reduces ground level ozone formation and particulate matter emissions.
+ Improves public health..
+ Increases visibility. Technical Strategies
+ Reduces emissions of gaseous toxins. Reduce Emissions from Vehicles and Construction Equipment.153
Use ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel: ULSD is a widely available petroleum diesel that has
Limitations been modified in the refinery to reduce its sulfur content. ULSD fuel is mandated by
− Premature wear of engine components may occur if minimum fuel specifications the EPA for use in non-road construction equipment by 2010.154
are not met. ˙ Use ULSD alone to yield modest emission improvements.
− Initial diesel distillate may have slightly lower energy content, increasing costs. ˙ Use ULSD in conjunction with after-treatment technologies to reduce particulate
− Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel will initially cost more due to currently limited emissions by up to 90%.
market presence. ˙ Consider blending ULSD with other substances to produce lower-impact ULSD fuel
blends, including emulsified diesel, biodiesel, oxygenated diesel, and fuel-borne
catalysts.
integration
PA.5 Use Reduced-Emission Materials
SM.2 Prevent Water Pollution and Practice Source Control 148
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Health Assessment Document for Diesel Engine Exhaust,
CP.3 Protect Water Sources During Construction USEPA/600/8-90/057F, May 2002.
149
Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management. Construction Equipment Retrofit Project Summary
Report. Available at http://www.nescaum.org/pdf/CACI/retrosumm.pdf (Accessed October 2004)
150
PM2.5 , primarily composed of carbon particles, is New York City’s primary pollutant, and is associated
with a variety of serious health effects including asthma and other chronic respiratory problems. For more
information see http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/pm/index.html.
151
Examples of vehicles covered here include front-end loaders, backhoes, excavators, cranes, air compressors
and generators, and many more.
152
EPA estimates that by 2030, controlling these emissions will annually prevent 12,000 premature deaths,
8,900 hospitalizations, and one million workdays lost. The overall benefits ($80 billion annually) of this rule
outweigh the costs by a ratio of 40 to 1. See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/nonroad/equip-hd/basicinfo.htm
153
See the Low Sulfur Design Manual by the DDC Office of Sustainable for more details.
http://nyc.gov/html/ddc/html/ddcgreen/reports.html
154
ULSD fuel typically has a sulfur content of 15 ppm or less, compared to 250-500 ppm for standard on-road
diesel fuel and up to 3,000 ppm for standard off-road diesel fuel.
197
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ˙ CP.6 USE CLEANER CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
Employ after-treatment retrofits: These devices clean the exhaust after it leaves the
engine but before it exits into the atmosphere. Usage of these technologies can
examples
reduce NOx and PM emissions by as much as 90%. Following are the seven most The Central Artery/Tunnel Project (aka ‘Big Dig’) in Boston Massachusetts included
common, commercially available options, listed by regulated pollutant they address.155 construction vehicle detours, designation of truck routes, idling prohibitions, dust
control measures, and retrofitted construction equipment.
After-treatment retrofits addressing particulate matter (PM): See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/retrobigdig.htm.
˙ Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC).156
˙ Catalyzed diesel particulate filters (DPF).157
˙ Active diesel particulate filters (Active DPF). references
After-treatment retrofits addressing nitrogen oxide (NOx): DDC Office of Sustainable Design Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Manual
June 2004
˙ Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
http://nyc.gov/html/ddc/html/ddcgreen/reports.html
˙ Lean NOx Catalysts.
˙ NOx adsorbers. EPA Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program Website
Designed to help fleet owners/operators, state/local government air quality
After-treatment retrofits addressing both PM and NOx: planners, and retrofit manufacturers understand the diesel retrofit program
˙ Selective catalytic reduction (SCR). and obtain information they need to create effective retrofit projects.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/overview.htm
Optimize emission control with fuel/technology combinations:
˙ Evaluate alternative fuel and after-treatment technology combinations for each type EPA Non-road Diesel Equipment Home Page
of diesel-powered construction vehicle or equipment.158 http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/nonroad/equip-hd/basicinfo.htm
˙ Reevaluate regularly to incorporate technological advancements. Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management
http://www.nescaum.org/
Consider applying existing regulations to all construction equipment: The EPA distinguishes
on-road from non-road (bulldozers, loaders and cranes) vehicles159 and emission
standards vary between the two. Additionally, certain regulations apply only to heavy-
duty diesel vehicles (HDDV).160 As regulations become more stringent for on-road and
HDDVs, they will become easier to enforce for all vehicles.
˙ Regulate unnecessary idling or operation on all vehicles.161
˙ Perform opacity, or smoke tests, on all equipment as part of required safety
inspections.
˙ When feasible, use alternative fuels and after-treatment retrofits on all generators,
temporary and permanent, using combinations of technology as appropriate.
155
Refer to DDC Low Sulfur Fuel Manual (see references) for detailed emission reductions, a general description
and evaluation of each technology, and current feasibility.
156
10 DOCs and DPFs are said to reduce toxic emissions of formaldehyde, benzene, and other known gaseous
carcinogens by as much as 70%. Data for other retrofit technologies unknown. See Northeast States for
Coordinated Air Use Management. Construction Equipment Retrofit Project Summary Report. Available at
http://www.nescaum.org/pdf/CACI/retrosumm.pdf (Accessed October 2004)
157
Ibid.
158
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection recently designated use of a fuel-borne catalyst in
conjunction with a diesel oxidation catalyst as a ‘Best Available Technology’
159
Regulations for non-road vehicles were first adopted in 1996.
160
Vehicles weighing in exceedence of 8,500 lbs
161
Currently the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulates idling in HDDV. This may
be difficult to extend to stationary non-road vehicles, and may be impractical during maintenance, while in
stopped in traffic, and in cold weather.
198
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ PART THREE BEST PRACTICES ˙ CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
199
Appendix: Gateway Estates Case Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Acknowledgements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Illustration Credits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ APPENDIX: GATEWAY ESTATES CASE STUDY
Appendix: Gateway Estates Case Study

Concurrent with the research and development of this manual, the Guidelines
development team conducted an initial high performance infrastructure planning
simulation utilizing the final draft of the best management practices. This simulation
addressed one of the largest segments of new infrastructure in decades: the Gateway
Estates in southeast Brooklyn. Occupying 227 acres, Gateway Estates will provide
over 2,000 affordable, owner-occupied one- and two-family homes; over 640,000
square feet of regional and neighborhood retail space; two new public schools;
and two parks. At the behest of the Department of Housing, Preservation and
Development, the DDC Infrastructure Division will install new storm and sanitary
sewers, water mains, streets, streetlights, traffic signage, and signals. The project is
currently in the early stages of infrastructure planning and development.
Undertaking a simulation workshop for Gateway Estates was significant given its
sensitive location adjacent to Jamaica Bay, an endangered estuarine ecosystem.
Part of Gateway National Recreation Area, Jamaica Bay is a habitat serving over 350
types of waterfowl and shorebirds, making it one of the best bird watching locations
in the western hemisphere. In recent years, however, landfilling operations, channel
dredging and water pollution, together with the hardening of the bay’s shores with
impervious infrastructure, have degraded and reduced salt-water marshes in the
bay at an alarming rate. Given this predicament, opportunities exist to make the
development of Gateway Estates a showcase of sustainable infrastructure strategies
aimed at minimizing environmental impact while promoting revitalization of the area.
In the simulation, the team focused on strategies to promote landscape health and
localized control and treatment of stormwater, both in the right-of-way and in the
development’s open spaces and parks. Other recommendations included design
of alternative road geometries to promote pedestrian movement and bicycling,
using recycled and reclaimed materials, coordinating utility infrastructure for easy
access and maintenance, and so on. The following pages illustrate select strategies
developed during the team’s 2004 workshop. Throughout this planning simulation,
the team tested the practicality of the Guidelines and the interdisciplinary nature of
developing high performance infrastructure projects. Ultimately, the simulation helped
inform the ‘City Process’ recommendations and enabled the team to fine-tune certain
technical practices. Most importantly, the simulation demonstrated how the City
could achieve meaningful social and environmental benefits through applying best
management practices at Gateway Estates and on other future projects.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ APPENDIX: GATEWAY ESTATES CASE STUDY
GATEWAY ESTATES – CASE STUDY PLAN AND SECTIONS
203
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY of animals, plants, fungi, and

microorganisms. Human population
Coal fly ash: A byproduct of coal burning
at electric utility plants.
consideration of different perspectives,
and tailoring designs to particular project
Acid rain: Acid rain is formed when sulfur pressure and resource consumption tend circumstances. It uses a collaborative,
dioxide and nitrogen oxides – pollutants to reduce biodiversity. Combined sewer overflow (CSO): Combined interdisciplinary approach that includes
resulting primarily from burning coal, oil, sewers are designed to collect rainwater early involvement of key stakeholders to
and other fossil fuels – mix with water Bioremediation: A biotechnology that uses runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial ensure that transportation projects are
vapor in the atmosphere to create acidic biological processes such as bacteria wastewater in the same pipe. Most not only ‘moving safely and efficiently,’
compounds. Acid rain impacts aquatic or plants to overcome environmental of the time, combined sewer systems but are also in harmony with the
ecosystems and high altitude forests, problems by removing or neutralizing transport all of their wastewater to a natural, social, economic, and cultural
creates haze, and contributes to the contaminants or pollutants. sewage treatment plant, where it is environment. CSD requires an early
deterioration of buildings and historical treated and then discharged to a water and continuous commitment to public
monuments. Bioswale: Strategically placed earthen body. Combined sewer overflows contain involvement, flexibility in exploring new
depression that capture stormwater and stormwater but also untreated human solutions, and an openness to new
Albedo: The ratio of reflected light to the filter it using native wetland plants. and industrial waste, toxic materials, and ideas. Community members play an
total amount falling on a surface. A debris. This overflow is a major water important role in identifying local and
high albedo indicates high reflectance Biotope: A biotope is a region definable pollution concern. regional problems and solutions that may
properties. by its specific environmental parameters better meet and balance the needs of all
and ecological conditions which support Composting: A process whereby organic stakeholders. Early public involvement
Amenity: A tangible/intangible feature that the organisms living there. wastes, including food wastes, paper, can help reduce expensive and time-
enhances and adds to value or perceived and yard wastes, decompose naturally, consuming rework later on and thus
value. Brownfields: Abandoned, idled, or under- resulting in a product rich in minerals contributes to more efficient project
used industrial and commercial facilities/ and ideal for gardening and ideal development.
Asset management: A business process sites where expansion or redevelopment for gardening and farming as a soil
and a decision-making framework that is complicated by real or perceived conditioner, mulch, resurfacing material, Curb cuts: A ramp built into a sidewalk to
covers an extended time horizon, draws environmental contamination. or landfill cover. facilitates pedestrian or wheel chair travel
from economics as well as engineering, between sidewalk and street elevations.
and considers a broad range of assets. It Buffer: A ‘buffer’ is a strip of heavily Composite pavement: Pavement that has In accordance to the American with
incorporates the economic assessment of vegetated land that absorbs and filters a sub-base of cement-bound material Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible
trade-offs among alternative investment runoff water. and uses less asphalt than conventional Design, curb ramps shall be provided
options and uses this information to help asphalt paving, offering a considerable wherever an accessible route crosses a
make cost-effective investment decisions. Carbon dioxide (CO2): A naturally occurring saving. curb.
For wastewater management utilities, greenhouse gas in the atmosphere,
asset management can be defined as concentrations of which have increased Constructed wetlands: Engineered wetlands Data management: A system that manages
managing infrastructure capital assets (from 280 parts per million in pre- that simulate natural wetland and utilize attribute and documentary product data,
to minimize the total cost of owning and industrial times to over 350 parts per natural and biological processes for as well as relationships between them,
operating them, while delivering the million today) as a result of humans’ wastewater treatment. Includes surface through a relational database system.
service levels customers’ desire. burning of coal, oil, natural gas and and subsurface flow constructed
organic matter (e.g., wood and crop wetlands. Design charrette: The charrette process is
Berm: A constructed, vegetated or wastes). a focused workshop that takes place in
paved embankment, somewhat dike- Context Sensitive Design (CSD): The art the early phase of the design process. All
like in appearance, used for enclosure, Climate change: A regional change in of creating public works projects that project team members meet together to
separation or protective purposes. temperature and weather patterns. meet the needs of the users, the exchange ideas, encouraging generation
Current science indicates a discernible neighboring communities, and the of integrated design solutions.
Biodiversity: The tendency in ecosystems, link between climate change over the last environment. It integrates projects into
when undisturbed, to have a large century and human activity, specifically the context or setting in a sensitive Ecological connectivity: The maintenance
number and wide range of species the burning of fossil fuels. manner through careful planning, of a connected system of open space
204
throughout an ecosystem. Not only Erosion: The wearing away of the land controlled by the fineness of grind and its precipitation and melt-water from
is a contiguous line of open space surface by running water, wind, ice or chemical composition infiltrating soils.
maintained, but also specific natural other geological agents including such
systems are kept intact. Ecological processes as gravitational creep. Greywater: Wastewater that does not Industrial ecology: A rapidly–growing field
connectivity relies on maintaining contain sewage or fecal contamination that systematically examines local,
ecotones, the linkages between different Evapotranspiration: A combined process and can usually be reused for irrigation regional, and global materials and energy
ecological regions. of both evaporation from soil and plant after filtration. uses and flows in products, processes,
surfaces and transpiration through industrial sectors and economies. It
Ecotones: A habitat created by the plant canopies. Water is transferred Greenhouse effect: The process that focuses on the potential role of industry
juxtaposition of distinctly different from the soil and plant surfaces into the raises the temperature of air in the in reducing environmental burdens
habitats; an edge habitat; or an atmosphere in the form of water vapor. lower atmosphere due to heat trapped throughout the product life cycle, from
ecological zone or boundary where two or by greenhouse gases, such as carbon the extraction of raw materials, to the
more ecosystems meet. Fill: Material used to make up the dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, production of goods, to the use of
percentage of missing earth or other chlorofluorocarbons, and tropospheric those goods to the management of the
Ecosystems: An interactive system that material so as to produce a stable site. (ground level) ozone. resulting waste.
includes the organisms of a natural
community association together with Flexibility in Highway Design: Design Habitat: The place where a Infiltration: The passage of water through
their abiotic physical, chemical and that balances the need for highway population (e.g. human, animal, a myriad of voids in the receiving ground.
geochemical environment. improvement with the need to safely plant, microorganisms) lives and its
integrate the design into the surrounding surroundings, both living and non-living. Integrated pest management: A coordinated
Embodied energy: Embodied energy natural and human environments. approach to pest control that is intended
accounts for all energy expended for Heat sink: Area where heat is greatly to prevent unacceptable levels of
production and transportation plus Fossil fuel: A fuel, such as coal, oil, absorbed and concentrated pests by the most cost-effective means
inherent energy at a specific point in the and natural gas, produced by the with the least possible hazard to
life cycle of a product. decomposition of ancient (fossilized) Herbaceous species: Non-woody plants, building occupants, workers, and the
plants and animals. typically herbs and grasses that occupy environment.
Environmental Matrix: A design tool that the understory and are usually grown
defines the environmental requirements Global warming: Increase in the average from seed as a vegetative ground cover. Invasive species: Plants that are 1)
for a project including (identify for temperature of the earth’s surface. (See non-native to the ecosystem under
infrastructure) ‘greenhouse effect’). Hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC): HCFCs consideration and 2) whose introduction
deplete to a lesser extent stratospheric causes or is likely to cause economic
Environmentally preferable: Products Grading: Includes initial clearing, ozone, compared to chlorofluorocarbons. or environmental harm by competing
or services that have a lesser or brushing or grubbing, subsequent HCFCs are generally used to replace for space and resources. The spread of
reduced effect on human health and excavating or filling of earth, stockpiling, CFCs where mandates require CFCs to invasive species results in monoculture
the environment when compared terracing, road building, leveling and be eliminated. A total ban on all CFCs and hence a decrease in habitat diversity.
with competing products or services bulldozing on any property and HCFCs is scheduled effective 2030.
that serve the same purpose. This Life cycle: The life cycle of a product are
comparison may consider raw materials Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS): Hydrology: The science dealing with the all stages of a product’s development,
acquisition, production, manufacturing, The glassy granular material formed properties, distribution and circulation of from extraction of fuel for power to
packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, when molten blast-furnace slag is rapidly water. production, marketing, use and disposal.
maintenance, or disposal of the product chilled by immersion in water with or
or service. without compositional adjustments Impervious surface: Constructed surfaces Life cycle assessment: The comprehensive
made while the blast-furnace slag is such as: rooftops, sidewalks, roads, and examination of a product’s environmental
Ericaceous species: Plants affiliated with molten. It is graded by its performance parking lots - covered by impenetrable and economic aspects and potential
the Ericacae (Heath family), typically with Portland cement. Grade 80 being materials such as asphalt, concrete, impacts throughout its lifetime, including
acid-loving, low growing plants that are the lowest performer and grade 120 the brick, and stone. These materials seal raw material extraction, transportation,
intolerant of alkaline soils. highest, the quality of GGBFS will be surfaces, repel water and prevent manufacturing, use and disposal.
205
Life cycle cost: The amortized annual and shield soil particles from the erosive and performance is designed to prevent Power is produced when sunlight strikes
cost of a product, including capital forces of raindrops and runoff. Mulch breakdown and unanticipated loss of the semiconductor material and creates
costs, installation costs, operating costs, also serves to moderate soil temperature, production or performance. ‘Corrective’ an electric current.
maintenance costs, and disposal costs discourages weeds and a good, organic or ‘unscheduled’ maintenance refers
discounted over the lifetime of a product. mulch will introduce nutrients into the to repairs on a system to bring it back Post-consumer recycled content: Post-
soil as it decomposes. ‘on-line.’ ‘Predictive’ maintenance is consumer material is a material or
Light pollution: Light pollution – excess performed on equipment monitor for finished product that has served its
brightness in the sky resulting from Native species: Plant species that have signs of wear or degradation, e.g., intended use and has been discarded for
direct and indirect lighting above urban evolved or are indigenous to a specific through thermography, oil analysis, disposal or recovery, having completed
areas – has had a negative impact on geographical area. The strict definition is vibration analysis, maintenance history its life as a consumer item.
the urban ecology, disrupting biological a species that has not been introduced evaluation.
cycles in plants and animals. It has also by humans either accidentally or Porous pavement: Paving specifically
been hypothesized that human health intentionally. Because native species Ozone: designed and constructed to encourage
requires a certain amount of exposure are a part of an ecosystem where 1. Stratospheric ozone: In the stratosphere rapid infiltration and percolation of
to darkness. The amount of energy everything is interdependent, these (the atmosphere layer beginning 7 to 10 rainfall and stormwater through the
wasted in lighting the sky or outdoor and plants are adapted to local soil and miles above the earth), ozone is a form of entire pavement cross-section, and
indoor spaces, which do not need it, has weather conditions as well as pests oxygen found naturally which provides a maintain this function over many
been estimated conservatively to reach and diseases. protective layer shielding the earth from decades, while directly supporting traffic
approximately $2 billion per year in ultraviolet radiation’s harmful effects on loads. A permeable pavement surface
the US. Nitrogen oxide (NOx): A product of humans and the environment. with an underlying stone reservoir that
combustion from transportation and 2. Ground level ozone: Ozone produced temporarily stores surface runoff before
Locally manufactured material: Building stationary sources such as power plants. near the earth’s surface through infiltrating into the subsoil.
materials manufactured locally the use NOx is a major contributor to acid rain complex chemical reactions of nitrogen
of which reduces the environmental and to ground level ozone (the primary oxides, volatile organic compounds, Pre-consumer recycled content: Pre-
impacts resulting from their component of smog). and sunlight. Ground level ozone is the consumer material is material diverted
transportation and support the local primary component of smog and from the waste stream following an
economy. According to the LEED Green Non-destructive: Methods of conducting is harmful to humans and the industrial process, excluding reutilization
Building Rating System, a guide for green maintenance or testing of right-of-way environment. of materials such as rework, regrind
and sustainable design, manufacturing systems that will not damage the system or scrap generated in a process and
refers to the final assembly of or any adjacent right-of-way components. Ozone depleting substances: Substances capable of being reclaimed within the
components into the building product used in HVAC systems and fire same process. Synonyms include post-
that is furnished and installed by the Non-motorized vehicles: Bicycling and suppression systems and extinguishers industrial and secondary material.
tradesmen. Per LEED, the material or walking, forms of non-motorized that deplete the stratospheric ozone
product must be manufactured within transportation, help reduce emissions layer. Refrigerants include CFCs, Hydro Recycling: The series of activities,
500 miles of the project. or concentrations of air pollutants from chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and their including collection, separation, and
transportation sources. alternatives including HFCs. A bromine processing, by which products or other
Material safety data sheet (MSDS): Forms containing substance, Halon, is used materials are recovered from the solid
that contain brief information regarding Operations and maintenance: Operations in fire suppression systems and fire waste stream for use in the form of raw
chemical and physical hazards, health refers to how equipment or systems extinguishers. Halon production has materials in the manufacture of new
effects, proper handling, storage, and are run, e.g., when a system should been banned and other substances are products other than fuel for producing
personal protection appropriate for use of be turned on, temperature ranges, being phased out in the U.S. heat or power by combustion.
a particular chemical in an occupational set points for boiler pressures and
environment. temperatures, thermostat set points, etc. Pervious paving: See porous pavement. Renewable energy: Energy resources such
Maintenance refers to servicing or repair as wind power or solar energy that can
Mulch: An organic or inorganic material of equipment and systems. ‘Preventive Photovoltaic panels (PVs): Photovoltaic keep producing indefinitely without being
which is spread or allowed to remain on maintenance’ performed on a periodic devices use semiconductor material to depleted.
the soil surface to conserve soil moisture or schedule basis to ensure optimum life directly convert sunlight into electricity.
206
Right-of-way (ROW): Right of passage, as Structural soils: New development in originated from safety concerns and Volatile organic compound (VOC): Volatile
of another’s property. 2. A route that is planting structure design developed by has a significant potential to reduce organic compounds (VOCs) are
lawful to use. 3. A strip of land acquired Cornell’s University Urban Horticulture environmental impact. Outdated chemicals that contain carbon molecules
for transport or utility construction. 4. Institute that uses crushed rock for design standards emphasize extra and are volatile enough to evaporate
The design area of a roadway, which strength, with soil filling the spaces in wide, straight, flat roads to increase the from material surfaces into indoors air
includes the pavement width, vegetated the gravel. Strong enough to support number of vehicles and speed. Traffic at normal room temperatures (referred
strip, sidewalk and space, designated for paving like base course, yet even when calming measures reduce lane width, to as off-gassing). Examples of building
soil erosion control. compacted to full strength, has space for introduce roadside ‘friction’ features like materials that may contain VOCs include,
plant roots to grow through. street trees, and prominently defines but are not limited to: solvents, paints
Riparian corridors: Riparian corridor or pedestrian crossing points. adhesives, carpeting and particleboard.
buffer, a type of ecotone, is the zone Stormwater management: Stormwater Signs and symptoms of VOC exposure
between a river or stream, and an management consists of programs to Trenchless technology: Underground may include eye and upper respiratory
upland area. Both areas are home to reduce, control and treat rainfall runoff construction methods that eliminate or irritation, nasal congestion, headache
many specialized plants and animals as part of an effort to minimize flooding, minimize surface disruption. Trenchless and dizziness.
that respond to changes in aquatic water pollution, erosion, sedimentation, methods include auger boring,
and terrestrial influences, and which and aquatic habitat damage. Stormwater directional drilling, robotic fiber-optic Watershed: Watershed is all the land area
actually depend on this rapidly changing management best management practices installation, manhole rehabilitation, micro that drains to a given body of water.
environment to function and survive. (BMPs) are structural or bioengineered tunneling, pipe bursting/splitting, pipe
devices designed to store, treat, and jacking, pipe fusion, pipe ramming, pipe Wetlands: Environment characterized by
Root paths: A narrow zone of growing either retain, convey or infiltrate runoff. relining, pipe inspection and cleaning shallow or fluctuating water levels and
medium that permits plant roots to reach systems, robotic sewer repair methods, abundant aquatic and marsh plants.
a larger surrounding soil mass to draw Sulfur dioxide (SO2): An air pollutant rock drilling, utility tunneling and vacuum Includes marches, swamps, bayous,
minerals and water. formed primarily by coal and oil burning excavation bogs, fens, sloughs, and ponds.
power plants. SO2 combines with other
Runoff: Runoff from a rainstorm or melting pollutants to form acid rain. Urban heat island effect: The additional Xeriscape: Landscape that uses drought-
snow heating of the air over a city as the tolerant vegetation instead of turf to
Sustainable forest products: Wood products result of the replacement of vegetated reduce the amount of water required to
Sedimentation: The (unwanted) settling originating from a forest certified for surfaces with those composed of asphalt, maintain a lawn.
and depositing of loose dirt in a given Sustainable Forest Management through concrete, dark-colored roofing and other
area. various agencies and verified through heat-retaining man-made materials.
an independent chain of custody audit. These materials store much of the sun’s
Shade-light continuum: The shade-light This creates an opportunity for both energy, producing a dome of elevated
continuum is a product of the natural suppliers and buyers of forest products air temperatures up to 10OF greater
progression in the height of species of to demonstrate and communicate over a city compared to air temperatures
a specific biotope, resulting in different their commitment to sustainable over adjacent rural areas. Light colored
levels of shade and light availability. forest management. It creates market rooftops and lighter colored pavement
Effective shade management uses incentives for producers to responsibly can help to dissipate heat by reflecting
plants to block sunlight from striking manage forests and harvest timber, gives sunlight, and tree planting can further
the soil surface and to intercept, scatter consumers the power to positively ‘vote’ help modify the city’s temperature
and reflect radiant energy to protect for conservation when they buy certified through shading and evapotranspiration.
paved surfaces from direct sunlight. wood products, and contributes to the
This planting strategy mimics natural preservation of forests and forest wildlife Utility infrastructure: All the physical
distribution of canopy, understory, worldwide. elements that comprise the utilities, i.e.
shrub, and herbaceous layers based on water, electricity, gas, sewage disposal,
sunlight/shade tolerance of individual Traffic calming: A new approach to etc., and that provide for their delivery to
plant species. roadway design in the U.S. that citizens of a community.
207
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Acknowledgments MANAGEMENT RESEARCH NEW YORK CITY AGENCY PARTICIPANTS

Design Trust Fellows Evangeline Dennie Department of City Planning
The success of the Hillary Brown New Civic Works Erik Botsford
New Civic Works Julia C. Kennedy Monica Peña Sastre
High Performance Infrastructure Stephen Campbell New Civic Works
Phoenix Design The Design Trust would especially like to Department of Design and Construction
Guidelines project is in no
Steven A. Caputo Jr. acknowledge the generous support of the City David Burney
small measure due to the New Civic Works University of New York, Institute for Urban Bruce Hendler
Systems (CUIS) in funding two research interns.
highly collaborative nature of Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Marvin A. Hewitt
Laurie Kerr
John Krieble
its development, benefiting Dino Y.P. Ng Intern, CUNY Institute for Urban Systems
Eric Macfarlane
Assistant Commissioner,Infrastructure Sofia E. Zuberbuhler
from the vision and sustained Design/Research and Development Intern, CUNY Institute for Urban Systems Ayman Maleh
Kerry Carnahan Zydnia Nazario
contributions of many individuals. GRAPHICS
Katie Chin Rich Ocken
Kristin Barnes Sewell Anne Papageorge
Design Trust for Public Space Graphic Designer, kristin.barnes.design
Mathew Park
Deborah Marton Bruce Hendler
Executive Director Mohsen Zargarelahi
Landscape Architect and Illustrator, DDC
Chelsea Mauldin Signe Nielsen Department of Environmental Protection
Deputy Director Sara Peschel Nick Barbaro
Claire Weisz Sofia Zuberbuhler Dean Cavallaro
former Co-Executive Director
Magdi Farag
Andrea Woodner LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE CONSULTANT
former Co-Executive Director Paul Faublas
Signe Nielsen Landscape Architects SNLA
Karen Hock Jim Garin
Signe Nielsen
former Deputy Director Dana Gumb
Sara Peschel
Ilene Harrington
PRIMARY AUTHORS Joanne Davis Rose
Warren Liebold
Hillary Brown Rob Roslewicz
David Romia
Design Trust Fellow / New Civic Works
TECHNICAL EDITORS Jack Vokral
Steven A. Caputo Jr.
Design Trust Fellow / New Civic Works InfraGuide Steven Wallandar
Kerry Carnahan Canadian National Guide to Sustainable
Municipal Infrastructure Department of Housing Preservation
Department of Design and Construction and Development
Signe Nielsen Steven Winter Associates, Inc. Steven Faicco
Signe Nielsen Landscape Architects Adrian Tuluca, RA Peter Grebski
Technical Editor Emily Schwarz
TEXT CONTRIBUTORS
John Amatruda, RA Erica Sims
Jason Bregman Peer Reviewer
Margie Ruddick Landscape Architects
W. Jose Higgins, RA
Stephen Campbell Peer Reviewer
Design Trust Fellow / Phoenix Design
Vineeta Pal, PhD
Bram Gunther Peer Reviewer
Zydnia Nazario INDEXER
208 Department of Design and Construction Do Mi Stauber
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Department of Parks and Recreation New York State Department of PEER REVIEWERS Tom Outerbridge
David Carlson Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Jameel Ahmad City Green, Inc.
Ellen Macnow Thomas Kunkel Cooper Union, Department of Civil Engineering Paul Pearson
Thomas Rudolph John Amatruda Baker Engineering NY, Inc.
Douglas Still
Steven Winter Associates, Inc. Jeffrey Raven
Department of Transportation New York State Department of Transportation Ammann & Whitney
Ilonka Angalet
(NYSDOT)
Sam Barkho Port Authority of Sarah Sachs
Christopher Alvarez New York and New Jersey Buro Happold
Steven Galgano
Phil Clark Paul Aviza Gabriel Scheer
Kerry Gould
O.A. El-Rahman URS Corporation Graduate Student, University of Washington
Jon Graham
Glynis Berry Michael Stallone
Marina Kagan Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ)
Studio A/B Architects Hazen & Sawyer
Kara Kuan Ilonka Angalet
Wendy Brawer Paul Stoller
Kim Mulcahy Laurie Balbo Green Map System Atelier Ten
Ryan Russo Dennis Cavaliere Jason Bregman Robin Vachal
Andrew Vesselinovitch Donald Fram Margie Ruddick Landscape Architects Renard Argenté-Lapin Consortium
Mark Wolf Derek Hawkins Uchenna Bright Annie Vanrenterghem-Raven
Paul Johnke Natural Resources Defense Council Polytechnic University
Office of Management and Budget
George Keller Mike Dominelli Rob Watson
Joyce Lee G.A.L. Associates Natural Resources Defense Council
Frank Radics
REGIONAL PARTICIPANTS Projjal Dutta Meg Wiley
Dale Serventi
STV Inc. CUNY Institute for Urban Systems
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Bruno Signorelli
Michael Fishman
Anthony Cancro Steve Wiener Urban Answers
Nikolaas Dietsch Javier Gonzalez-Campana
Other
Jane M. Kenny Balmori Associates
Glen Abrams
Rabi Kieber Philadelphia Office of Watersheds Ashok Gupta
Denise Andrews Natural Resources Defense Council
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Seattle Public Utilities Mark Izeman
Richard Backlund Natural Resources Defense Council
Jason Harrington Michael Cox
City of Seattle, Office of Sustainability Kit Kennedy
George Hoops and Environment Natural Resources Defense Council
Timothy J. LaCoss Bob Dooley Barney LaGreca
Jeanette Mar City of Newark Daniel Frankfurt, P.C.
Joan Walters Bruce Hawkinson Richard Maitino
New Jersey Department of Parsons Transportation Group
Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Transportation Paul Mankiewicz
Ajay Singh Peter Melewski Gaia Institute
Balbir Sood New York State Thruway Joseph McGough
Athena Sarafides Daniel Frankfurt, P.C.
New Jersey Department of Sasha Nicholas
Environmental Protection Graduate Student, Columbia University
David E. Nickle
Urbitran Associates
209
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ ILLUSTRATION CREDITS
Illustration Credits
All cartoons are courtesy of Bruce Hendler, NYC Department of Design & Construction.
All other photographs and illustrations are courtesy of Signe Nielsen Landscape Architects,
except as noted below:
page 6: Photograph courtesy of Hillary Brown

page 18: Both photographs courtesy of Philadelphia Water Department, Office of
Watersheds
page 19: Drainage plan courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities
page 19: Photograph courtesy of City of Chicago
page 20: Map courtesy of Metro Data Resource Center
page 20: Photograph courtesy of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
page 21: Photograph courtesy of Sara Cedar Miller, Central Park Conservancy
page 21: Lithograph courtesy of the Collection of The New-York Historical Society
(negative #2829)
page 24: Photograph courtesy of Dino Ng, NYC Department of Design & Construction
page 25: Map courtesy of New York City Department of Parks & Recreation; rendering by
Daniel Arroyo, Central Forestry & Horticulture
page 27: Rendering courtesy of Margie Ruddick Landscape Planning and Design
page 58: Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation
page 63: Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation
page 68: Photograph courtesy of Design Trust for Public Space
page 71: Image courtesy of Thomas Phifer and Partners; rendering by dbox
page 109: Photograph courtesy of NYC Department of Design & Construction
page 129: Bottom photograph courtesy of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
page 135: Both photographs courtesy of Philadelphia Water Department, Office of
Watersheds
page 145: Photograph courtesy of Dino Ng, NYC Department of Design & Construction
page 153: Photograph and plan courtesy of Design Trust for Public Space
page 202: Map courtesy of Geographic Information System Office of Gateway National
Recreation
page 202: Photograph courtesy of Cal Vornberger
page 203: Plan and sections courtesy of High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines team
210
HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES ˙ INDEX
INDEX and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

see also air quality
ballasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Barnes Dance (all-walk phases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
A air quality:
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Baton Rouge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Battery Park City (New York). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
aboveground utility marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108, 109 and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Beach Channel Drive (Queens). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
absorbent landscapes. . . . . . . . . . 120, 121, 125, 139, 155–156 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 beauty
absorptivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 see aesthetics
ACBFS (air-cooled blast furnace slag). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92, 98 and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 55 bedrock depth testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
accidents and urban heat island effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81 benches
see safety see also air pollution reduction see seating
acid rain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 air-cooled blast furnace slag (ACBFS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92, 98 benefits of high performance infrastructure
active transportation air-spading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112, 191 see high performance infrastructure benefits
see streetscape design for bicyclists; streetscape design AirTran JFK (New York City). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 126, 128, 204
for pedestrians Alameda County, California. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 see also earth berms
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 ALB (Asian Longhorned Beetle). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 171 best management practices (BMPs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
aesthetics: albedo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 benefit matrix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16–17
and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181 see also pavement albedo maximization integration of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–11
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139, 140 Alexandria, Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 see also specific practices
and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143, 144 alkali-silica reactivity (ASR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 96 bicycle lanes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 60, 62, 68, 79
and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 161 alkaline leachate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 94, 98, 157 bicycle parking/storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 69
and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 all-walk phases (Barnes Dance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 bicycling
and quality of life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 alternative contracting methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 188, 189 see streetscape design for bicyclists
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . 124, 125 alternative soil stabilization resins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 BIDs
and stormwater management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 amenities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 57, 62, 204 see business improvement districts
and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 60, 62, 65, 68 see also specific amenities bike lanes
and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 129 American Standards for Nursery Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 see bicycle lanes
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 bike racks
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 anti-graffiti coatings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 see bicycle parking/storage
and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 106 art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 bio-pesticides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 171 biobased products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 100
after-treatment retrofits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 asphalt: biodiversity:
aggregate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82, 89, 94–95 and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181
see also recycled concrete aggregate; and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91–93 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
recycled/reclaimed materials and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86–87 and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
aggregate lattice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 see also materials; pavement; recycled/reclaimed and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
air conditioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81 materials and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
see also energy efficiency asphalt cutback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
air pollution reduction: asphalt-rubber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181 ASR (alkali-silica reactivity). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 96 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 asset management: and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
and clean-fuel technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62, 197 and city infrastructure process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 95 lack of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76, 77 and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 171
and right-of-way construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . 196 see also capital planning; costs see also ecological health
and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 asthma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 bioengineering:
and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 audible signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 62, 64, 70 automatic vehicle locator (AVL) systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 and costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
and streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . 62 AVL (automatic vehicle locator) systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 163, 165 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 108
B and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 117
and waste management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Bakersfield, California. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
211
biointensive integrated pest management (BIPM) . . . . . . . . . . . . and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141, 174, 176, 181–182, 190, 192 and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 130 and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
biological pest control measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
biological soil analysis tests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 and infiltration structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
bioremediation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159, 204 catch basins: overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139–142 and construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . 124, 125
and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 122 and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 60, 62 and stormwater management planning. . . . . . . . . . . 116, 117
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . 125, 127 see also catch basin inserts common trenching. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108–109
and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Catholic University of America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 communication technologies
bioswales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 CBIs see intelligent transportation systems
see also vegetated swales see catch basin inserts community disruption
biotope-based plant arrangement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183–184 CDF (controlled density backfill) (flowable fill). . . . . . . . . . . . 107 see quality of life
biotopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 cedar-apple rust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 community regeneration:
see also biotope-based plant arrangement Central Artery/Tunnel Project (Boston). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
BIPM (biointensive integrated pest management) . . . . . . . . . . . . Central Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 and economic development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 89
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141, 174, 176, 181–182, 190, 192 character and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
blast furnace slag. . . . . . . . . . . 92, 95, 96–97, 98, 99–100, 205 see historic/cultural heritage and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 135
BMPs check dams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 54, 55
see best management practices check valves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 community stakeholders:
Boston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 198 Chelsea, Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 case studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
British Columbia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 chemical fertilizers and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
brownfields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 see fertilizers and civic environmentalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
budgeting chemical pest control measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
see costs see also pesticides and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
buffer strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 125, 128, 129, 140, 204 chemical soil analysis tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40–41 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
see also surface pretreatment Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 19, 61, 122, 151, 166 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . 125, 126
bulb-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 64, 125 chip sealing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 and stormwater management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
bus nubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 CIPPs (cured-in-place pipes). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116, 119, 125, 126, 130, 131, 140
bus shelters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 citizen participation and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . 52–54, 57, 60, 62, 66
business improvement districts (BIDs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52, 150 see community stakeholders and urban heat island effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
see also community stakeholders City Trees ordinance (Chicago) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 community streets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
citywide planning: compact car parking stalls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
C infrastructure process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32–34, 150–151
and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 150–151
competitive weeds
see invasive plant species
calcium chloride. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 190 and stormwater management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 compliance:
calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 120, 190 civic environmentalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Calgary, Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Clean Air Non-road Diesel rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
calibrated continuous simulation hydrologic model . . . . . . . . . 44 clean-fuel technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62, 63, 197–198 and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 100, 105, 130, 166 cleaning and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
see also Los Angeles see maintenance/operations and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188–189
Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 105, 112, 177 climate change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81, 204 and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
capital planning: clocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 and streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . 62
and city infrastructure process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 33, 34 CLSM (controlled low strength materials) (flowable fill). . . . . . 107 and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 106
and citywide landscape planning,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 clustered trees and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 see continuous soil planting and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
trends in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 CMA (calcium magnesium acetate). . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 120, 190 see also incentives/penalties; inspections
see also asset management; costs coal fly ash, component optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
carbon dioxide (CO2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 204 see fly ash composite pavement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81, 204
carbon monoxide (CO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 combined sewer overflows (CSOs): composting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 119, 159, 171–172, 204
catch basin inserts (CBIs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130–131 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 see also soil amendments
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) program. . . . . . 65
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
212
concrete. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87, 89 and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 CPG (Comprehensive Procurement Guideline) program. . . . . . 65
see also pavement; recycled/reclaimed materials and vegetation protection zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 crack sealing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Coney Island Water Pollution Control Plant (Brooklyn). . . . . . . 69 see also construction impact reduction crash testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
constructed wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 125, 143–146, 204 contaminants crime reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 68
construction and demolition (C&D) see air pollution reduction; water pollution reduction critical root zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
waste processors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 92, 194 contamination soil analysis tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Cross Island Parkway (New York City). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
construction costs Context Sensitive Design (CSD). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 82, 204 crosswalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 58
see costs continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165, 168–169, 170 see also signalization
construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188–198 controlled density backfill (CDF) (flowable fill). . . . . . . . . . . . 107 crumb test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 controlled low strength materials (CLSM) (flowable fill). . . . . . 107 CSD (Context Sensitive Design). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 82, 204
and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . 181, 190 Cool Communities (Georgia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 CSOs
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 122, 140–141 Cool Communities program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 see combined sewer overflows
and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Coordinated Construction Act for Lower Manhattan. . . . . . . . 105 cultural heritage
and catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131, 192 corners/intersections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 58, 165 see historic/cultural heritage
clean-fuel technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197–198 corrective maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 206 cultural pest control measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
and community stakeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 costs: curb cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 204
and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 and catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 curb extensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 cured-in-place pipes (CIPPs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 and clean-fuel technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
D
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171, 181 and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 data management:
and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 182
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 and catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
landscape protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 190–191 and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 and city infrastructure process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 80 and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 151
and noise pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 188, 192 and implementation barriers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 and community stakeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
in right-of-way construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76–77
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121–123 and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 91, 95, 98 and site assessment planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
and site assessment planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 and right-of-way construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . 196 and streetscape design for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
site protection plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46–47, 152, 188–189 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 108
and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 68 and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 DCP (New York Department of City Planning) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 DDC (New York Department of Design & Construction) . . 32, 109
and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 116, 119 de-icing procedures:
and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 and streetscape design for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139, 141
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163–164, 165 and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136, 137
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 and streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . 62 and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 85
and waste management . . . . . . 188, 189, 191, 192, 194–195 and trenchless technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 110 and plant selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171, 176
and waste management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194–195 and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 108 and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 120
water source protection. . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 110, 119, 192–193 and waste management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 deep pool constructed wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
see also utility cuts and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 democratic society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
construction process: and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 demonstration projects
and learning curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 see also asset management; capital planning; see pilot projects
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 lifecycle analysis; maintenance/operations Denton, Texas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 countdown signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 DEP (New York Department of Environmental Protection) . . . . 32
213
design: drywells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Duane Street (Manhattan). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 and urban heat island effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181 dust generation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 110 enforcement
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140–141 see compliance
and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 E Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
and city infrastructure process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32–33 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144–145 earth berms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 41, 144, 161–162 environmental matrices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16–17, 33, 38, 39, 205
and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . 121–122 EAS (Environmental Assessment Statement). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 environmental regulations
and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 Easthampton, Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 see regulatory issues
and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 ecological connectivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204–205 environmentally preferable products/services. . . . . . . . . . 65, 205
and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 see also ecological health see also materials; native/naturalized plant species;
and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 ecological health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152–154 recycled/reclaimed materials
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170–171 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 ericaceous plant species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136–137 and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181 erosion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 see also erosion control
and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 erosion control:
and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155, 156
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 141
and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64–65 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 152 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . 125–126 and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68–69 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . 152, 153, 176 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 56–58 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 and right-of-way construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . 196
and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116, 117, 152 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 189
and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 and stormwater management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159, 160
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 41–42
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 and water conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 economic development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 64, 89 and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
and waste management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 ecosystem health and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 110
and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 see ecological health and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 ecosystems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
design charrette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 see also ecological health evapotranspiration. . . . . . . . . . . . . 124, 155, 163, 165, 170, 205
design costs ecotones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 examples:
see costs educational features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152, 156, 174 biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
detention structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134–135 see also public education bioretention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
detergents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Eibs Pond (Staten Island) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
disincentives EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 case studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18–27, 202–203
see incentives/penalties electricity catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
distributed generation energy sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 see energy efficiency citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
District of Columbia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 embodied energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 72, 89, 95, 205 clean-fuel technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
diversion berms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126, 137, 141 emergency access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 57, 68, 196 community stakeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
DOT (New York Department of Transportation). . . .32, 55, 93, 98 emergency maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 constructed wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
down gradiant berms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 emergency preparedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 72 construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
downspout controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 emissions control . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 62, 104, 108, 110, 197–198 continuous soil planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Initiative. . . . . . . . . . . 58, 63 see also air pollution reduction detention structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134–135
DPR (New York Department of Parks & Recreation). . . 32, 47, 66 energy efficiency: earth berms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
drain-rock reservoirs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
drainage overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 healthy planting techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
see stormwater management and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 impervious pavement reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
drainage rate tests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
drinking fountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 and streetlighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 70, 71 lack of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
drought. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 163, 165, 171, 176, 178 and streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . 62 landscape protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
214
native/naturalized plant species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 first costs glare, and streetlighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 see costs glasphalt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 first flush (water quality volume) . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 121, 125, 132 glass beads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
pavement shading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 flat lens lamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 glass cullet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93, 99
pervious pavements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 flexibility in highway design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 global climate change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81, 204
public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 flowable fill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 global warming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
recycled/reclaimed materials. . . . . . . . 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 100 fluorescent lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 GPR (ground-penetrating radar) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
reduced-emission materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 fly ash: grade beams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
right-of-way construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 grading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
right-of-way drainage optimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 grass:
security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . 92, 95, 96, 99–100 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
site assessment planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 and waste management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 forebays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 turfgrass reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 174–175, 176, 178
soil amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Forest Hills Station (Queens). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Grate Mates program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
soil analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 form release agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 green areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
stormwater management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Fort Worth, Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 see also public spaces
streetlighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 fossil fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 green building movement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 122
streetscape design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 fountains green markets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 65
streetscape design for bicyclists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 see drinking fountains green roofs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 121, 122
streetscape design for pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 58 Freedom Trail (Boston). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 green space
streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 freeze-thaw exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94, 96 see public spaces
structural soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Fresh Kills Landfill (Staten Island). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 93 Green Streets program (Vancouver, Washington). . . . . . . . . . . 66
surface pretreatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Friends of Greenwich Street (New York). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 54 greenhouse effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
trees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 frontage zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 greenhouse gases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 60, 62, 95
turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 frost heave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 107 Greenstreets program (New York City). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 66
utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105, 109, 112 full cost accounting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Greenwich Street (Manhattan). . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 22, 54, 61, 166
waste management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 full-cutoff fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 greywater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
water pollution reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 fumigants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174, 190 see also water reuse
water quality inlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 funding grit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 190
water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 see costs ground cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 156
see also specific cities furnishing zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 57 ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
existing vegetation survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46–48, 152, 176 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 96–97, 99–100, 205
extended detention wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 G ground-level ozone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81, 86, 197
ground-penetrating radar (GPR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
F Gateway Estates Development (Brooklyn) . . . . . 97, 99, 202–203
genetic diversity
groundwater contamination prevention:
Federal Highway Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 see biodiversity
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
fertilizers: genetic pest control measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181 geographic information systems (GISs):
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 and catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 171, 172 and city infrastructure process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
groundwater depth testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
groundwater recharge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
grout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111, 168
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 and site assessment planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 171
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
geometric design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32–33
H
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Georgia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
field collected plants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 geotextiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85, 98, 100, 190 see also ecological health
fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Germany. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 HAPs (hazardous air pollutants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
filter fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100, 136, 140 GGBFS (ground granulated blast furnace slag) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hardened elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68, 69
filter strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 96–97, 99–100, 205 hay bales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
see vegetated filter strips GISs hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Final Design phase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33, 34 see geographic information systems
215
hazardous wastes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 71, 72, 192 pervious pavements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 site assessment planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
see also waste management public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
HBAC (high build acrylic coating). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 recycled/reclaimed materials. . . . . . 89, 91, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99 soil amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
HCFCs (hydro chlorofluorocarbons). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 reduced-emission materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 soil analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
HDD (horizontal directional drilling). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 right-of-way construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 stormwater management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
HDDVs (heavy-duty diesel vehicles). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197, 198 right-of-way drainage optimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 streetlighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
health security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 streetscape design for pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
see public health site assessment planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . 165, 170–173, 176, 181 soil amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 structural soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
heat soil analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 surface pretreatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
see urban heat island (UHI) effect stormwater management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 trees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
heat sinks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 streetlighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197, 198 streetscape design for pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 106, 107, 108, 110
herbaceous species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 waste management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
see also landscaping structural soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 water pollution reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
herbicides: surface pretreatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 water quality inlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 trees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 water source protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 47 turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 106, 107, 108, 110 high performance matrices:
and invasive plant species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 47 waste management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 BMP benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16–17
and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 191 water pollution reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 and site assessment planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38, 39
and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 water quality inlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 High Point Redevelopment (Seattle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 119 water source protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 high volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 high-alkaline plants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
high build acrylic coating (HBAC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 high performance infrastructure limitations: Highland Park, New Jersey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
high marsh constructed wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 absorbent landscapes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 HIPR (hot-in-place recycling) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
high performance infrastructure benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12–17 biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 historic/cultural heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 65, 69, 70
absorbent landscapes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 bioretention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 HMA (hot-mix asphalt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 86, 91–93
biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 holding maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
bioretention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 horizontal directional drilling (HDD). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 hot-in-place recycling (HIPR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
BMP matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16–17 clean-fuel technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 hot-mix asphalt (HMA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 86, 91–93
catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 community stakeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Hunts Point street reconstruction (Bronx) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 constructed wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 HVFAC (high volume fly ash concrete). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
clean-fuel technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 hydraulic analysis
community stakeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 continuous soil planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 see hydrologic/hydraulic analysis
constructed wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 detention structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 earth berms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 hydrologic/hydraulic analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44–45
construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 ecological health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
continuous soil planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
detention structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 healthy planting techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
earth berms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 hydrologic/hydraulic analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
ecological health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 landscape protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
healthy planting techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
hydrologic/hydraulic analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 pavement shading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 44
landscape protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 pervious pavements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 hydrology:
native/naturalized plant species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12–15 recycled/reclaimed materials. . . 89, 91, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 reduced-emission materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 right-of-way drainage optimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
pavement shading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
216
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . 44, 116, 121, 124, 136

see also hydrologic/hydraulic analysis
inspections:
J
hydroplaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Jamaica Bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 joint bidding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104–105
I and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 jujitsu security techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 jute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
see also de-icing procedures
Illinois. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 K
and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
see also Chicago King County, Washington State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91, 100, 195
integrated design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79–80 kiosks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181–182
and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 L
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 85
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 landfills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 89, 95, 193
and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 79
and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150–184
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 absorbent landscapes. . . . . . . . 120, 121, 125, 139, 155–156
and stormwater management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 and air quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
and urban heat island effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 79
integrated stormwater management planning (ISMP). . . 116–118 and alkaline leachate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 94, 98, 157
and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 120
impervious surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 intelligent transportation systems (ITS) . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 62, 63 biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . 141, 174, 176,
see also impervious pavement reduction intermodal transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 63 181–182
implementation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 internal joint seals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110–111 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
incentives/penalties: interpretive signage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 174 bioretention . . . . . . . 121, 122, 125, 127, 129, 139–142, 155
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 intersections biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183–184
and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 see corners/intersections case studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 25
and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 invasive plant species: citywide planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 150–151
and right-of-way construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . 196 and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 182 aand constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 188 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 141 aand construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . 117, 119, 126, 140 and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 continuous soil planting . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165, 168–169, 170
and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 105 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144, 145 earth berms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 41, 144, 161–162
and waste management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 aand ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 152–154
and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46–48, 152, 176
and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152, 153 green roofs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 121, 122
and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 47 healthy planting techniques . . . . . . . 165, 170–173, 176, 181
see also compliance and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 191 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
induction lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176, 177 and landscape protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 190–191
industrial ecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 and native/naturalized plant species. . . . . . . . . . . . . 176–177
infiltration: and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 and pavement management systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155, 156 and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 pavement shading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 165–167, 178, 183
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139, 140 IPM protection zones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46–47
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 see biointensive integrated pest management and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 150, 152, 156
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 irrigation: and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 136 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 soil amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 46, 159–160, 171, 190
infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136–138 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 41
and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164, 170, 171, 178 and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . 55, 56, 57
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 85, 122 and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 and streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . 62
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 structural soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157–158, 165, 168, 171, 207
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 trees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163–164
and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 137 islands turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 174–175, 176, 178
infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136–138 see pedestrian refuge islands and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 120
insecticides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 119, 192 ISMP (integrated stormwater management planning). . . 116–118 and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
see also pesticides ITS (intelligent transportation systems) . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 62, 63
217
water-efficient design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178–180 and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 material safety data sheets (MSDSs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
see also bioretention; plant selection; trees low marsh constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 materials:
lane rental fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 196 LPI (leading pedestrian intervals). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
lane widths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 60, 80 luminaire dirt depreciation (LDD). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 reduced-emission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 72, 86–88
LDD (luminaire dirt depreciation). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 luminance ratios. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 streetlighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 72
leaching fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 and waste management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
leading pedestrian intervals (LPI). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 M see also locally manufactured materials; recycled/reclaimed
LEDs (light-emitting diodes). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 materials; specific materials
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) . . . . . . . maintenance/operations: meadows
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 122 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 see turfgrass reduction
LGP equipment and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . 181–182 medians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 80, 125, 128, 155
see low ground pressure (LGP) equipment and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139, 140, 141 mercury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108, 121 and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 methyl bromide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
see also compliance and catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130–131 Metro 2040 (Portland, Oregon). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
life cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 microbial pesticides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
see also lifecycle analysis and community stakeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 62, 126 microtunneling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 112, 191
life cycle cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143, 144, 145 mineral processing wastes (ore tailings). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
lifecycle analysis: and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 mining operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 205 and crosswalks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Minnesota. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14–15 and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 mobile asphalt hole repair units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 moisture/rain/wind sensors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76–78 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 monitoring
and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 see maintenance/operations
and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 171–172 monoculture planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144, 163
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 and implementation barriers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 mosquitoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143, 144
and right-of-way construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . 196 and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136, 137 mowing:
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 104 and pavement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 78, 81, 82, 84, 85 and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 and right-of-way construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . 196 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
light pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 71, 206 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . 125, 126–127 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
light sensors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
light trespass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 71 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
light-colored surfaces and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
see pavement albedo maximization and streetlighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 MSDSs (material safety data sheets). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
light-emitting diodes (LEDs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 and streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . 62 Mt. Hope Community Center (Bronx). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
lighting and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 mulching:
see streetlighting and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164, 165–166 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
lime migration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 94, 98, 156 and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
limitations of high performance infrastructure and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
see high performance infrastructure limitations and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 120 and construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
living streets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132, 133 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Local Law 77 (New York City) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192–193 and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 171
local plant species and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
see native/naturalized plant species see also utility cuts multifunctional optimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
locally manufactured materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 72, 89, 189 Manhattan Avenue (Brooklyn). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Los Angeles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81, 95, 105, 166
low ground pressure (LGP) equipment:
market transformation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 65
N
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 marsh wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Nassau County, New York. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 mass transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 68 native/naturalized plant species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176–177
and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 see also streetscape design for surface mass transit and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 mass transit facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181
and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 72, 112, 120, 198 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
218
and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Ottawa, Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105, 112, 177 Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 overlays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 see also Philadelphia
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 ozone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Pentagon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152, 153, 176 ground-level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81, 86, 197 performance art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 ozone depleting substances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 perimeter security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
trees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165, 170 permeable surfacing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 P pervious pavements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84–85
Nature Conservancy Headquarters (Arlington, Virginia). . . . . 177 and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 122
neck-downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 64 packaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 85
Neighborhood Green Corridor (South Bronx). . . . . . 26, 126, 141 parking: and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Netherlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 80 and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
New Jersey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 pest management:
New York Department of City Planning (DCP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 and streetscape design for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 171
New York Department of Design and Construction (DDC). 32, 109 parks integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New York Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) . . . . 32 see public spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . 141, 150, 174, 176, 181–182, 190, 192, 205
New York Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR). . . 32, 47, 66 particulate matter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 60, 62, 197, 198 see also insecticides; pesticides
New York Department of Transportation (DOT). . . .32, 55, 93, 98 paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 pesticides:
Newark Liberty International Airport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129, 138 pavement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76–100 and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . 181, 182
newsstands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 in crosswalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
nitrogen oxide (NOx). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 197, 198, 206 pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76–78 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
nitrous oxides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 reduced-emission materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86–88 and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
noise pollution reduction: shading of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 165–167, 178, 183 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 and streetscape design for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 79 and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161–162 see also impervious pavement reduction; pavement albedo and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
maximization; pavement degradation; pervious pavements; and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
recycled/reclaimed materials; utility cuts and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81–83 Philadelphia:
and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 case studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 46, 163, 165
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 96 landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
and trenchless technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
and streetlighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71, 81 stormwater management. . . . . . . . . . . 15, 117, 134–135, 141
and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 water quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
noise walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
pavement degradation: Philadelphia Office of Watersheds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
non-destructive maintenance/testing methods. . . . . . . . . . . . 206
and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 photocells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
non-motorized vehicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 photovoltaic panels (PVs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 206
non-renewable resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91, 95
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 phytoremediation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
non-toxic products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
and right-of-way construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . 196 pilot projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 117, 130, 193
NOx (nitrogen oxide). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 197, 198, 206
and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 pinhole dispersion test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
NYC Greenway Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
and utility management. . . . . . . . 15, 104, 105, 106, 108, 110 pipe bedding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
O and water quality inlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76–78
pipe bursting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
pipe ramming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Oak Park, Illinois. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 165–167, 178, 183 pipe re-rounding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
OASIS (Open Accessible Space Information System). . . . . . . 151 PCC (Portland cement concrete). . . . . . . . . . . 14, 77, 82, 94–97 pipe substructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99–100
objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33–34 PDI (Preliminary Design Investigation) phase. . . . . . . . . . . 32–34 pipejacking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111–112
occupational safety/health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86, 90, 93, 110 peat moss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 planning:
off-grid lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 pedestrian detection signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
oil/grit separators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 pedestrian ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140–141
open-grid pavement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 pedestrian refuge islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 city infrastructure process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32–34, 150–151
operations pedestrian user friendly intelligent crossing (PUFFIN) systems. 57 citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150–151
see maintenance/operations pedestrians and community stakeholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52–53
opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 38–39 see streetscape design for pedestrians and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143–144
see also planning Pelham Parkway (Bronx). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
ore tailings (mineral processing wastes). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 penalties and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Orlando, Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 see compliance and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
219
and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 post-consumer recycled content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 79
and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46–47 PPCPs (pollution prevention and control plans). . . . . . . . . . . 119 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 pre-consumer recycled content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136–137 precedents and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 65
and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81–82 see examples public-private partnerships
pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76–78 predictive maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 see community stakeholders
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Preliminary Design Investigation (PDI) phase. . . . . . . . . . . 32–34 PUFFIN (pedestrian user friendly intelligent crossing) systems. . .
and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 pressure regulators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90–91 preventative maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 78, 206 PVs (photovoltaic panels) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 206
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 prime coats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 priority green signals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Q
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40–41 progress payment schedules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 116–118 propane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 quality assurance/quality control (QAQC). . . . 89, 90, 94, 98, 111
and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 property values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 quality of life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 150, 163, 165 and construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 192
and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 and stormwater management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 163, 165
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116, 125, 135, 139, 143 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104–105 and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 64, 68 and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
and waste management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194–195 protection zones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46–47 and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 135
and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Prudential Insurance Company Headquarters (New Jersey). . . . . and stormwater management planning. . . . . . . 116, 135, 139
see also capital planning; site assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162, 184 and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 106, 110
plant diseases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165, 170, 171, 176 pruning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165, 171, 176, 191 Queens Plaza reconstruction (Long Island) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
plant palette public art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
see plant selection public education: R
plant selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176–177 and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181
radar utility inspections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 rain gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 rainwater management
and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117, 119 see stormwater management
and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
and streetscape design for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 raised intersections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170–171
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 ramps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
and waste management planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 RAP (recycled asphalt pavement). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91–93, 98
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 41
and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119–120 raw materials shortages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
surface pretreatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 see also non-renewable resources
trees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165, 170–171
turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 174–175 see also educational features
public health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 RCA
planting strips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125, 155
plantings and air quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 see recycled concrete aggregate
see landscaping; trees and clean-fuel technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 reclaimed materials
pocket wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 163, 165, 181 see recycled/reclaimed materials
pollution overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 61
see air pollution reduction; groundwater contamination and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91–93, 98
prevention; light pollution; noise pollution reduction; soil and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 recycled concrete aggregate (RCA):
contamination; water pollution reduction and streetscape design for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 aggregate applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94–95
pollution prevention and control plans (PPCPs). . . . . . . . . . . 119 and temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81 asphalt applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92–93
pond wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 see also occupational safety/health cementitious materials applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
porcelain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99, 100 public participation and pipe bedding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
porous surfacing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 122, 206 see community regeneration; community stakeholders and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. . . . . . . 20, 129, 138 public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64–67 sub-base applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Port of Seattle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 recycled/reclaimed materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89–100
Portland cement concrete (PCC). . . . . . . . . . . 14, 77, 82, 94–97 and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 aggregate applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94–95
Portland, Oregon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 58, 80 and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134–135 asphalt applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91–93
Portland Pedestrian Design Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 cementitious material applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 95–97
post-construction mitigation plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 and concrete. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
220
and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 root paths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168, 207 utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Route 9A (Manhattan). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 water quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
pipe construction/bedding applications. . . . . . . . . . . . 99–100 and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 Second Avenue Subway project (New York City) . . . . . . . . . . . 39
programs for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90–91 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 68–69, 70, 108
and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 and native/naturalized plant species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 sedimentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 see also sedimentation control
and streetlighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 72 and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 sedimentation control:
sub-base layer applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98–99 and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140–141
and waste management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 90, 92 and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 and catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
recycling: and streetscape design for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
and construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . 188, 194–195 and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 ROW and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 see right-of-way and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 rubblization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
see also recycled/reclaimed materials; runoff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 189
waste management see also runoff minimization; stormwater management and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159, 160
reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 72, 86–88 runoff minimization: and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
reflectivity and construction process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121–123 and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
see pavement albedo maximization and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
reforestation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 85, 121, 122 and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
regulatory issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 semi-wet zone constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 182 and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 129 September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
and clean-fuel technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197, 198 see also stormwater management shade-light continuum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183–184, 207
and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 shading
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
S see pavement shading
shearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Sacramento, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 shielding devices for lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Shore Parkway Bike Path (Queens). . . . . . . . . . . . . 61, 160, 189
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168, 170 shoulders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 125, 128
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 sidewalks:
and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 and pavement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 84, 86 case studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 26
and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
see also compliance and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 57, 58, 60, 64, 70 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
regulatory pest control measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 106, 108 and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 56–57, 62, 64
renewable energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 206 see also occupational safety/health and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
residential streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 salt and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
right-of-way construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 see de-icing procedures signage:
see also construction impact reduction salt-tolerant plant species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 161, 171, 176 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188–189
right-of-way drainage optimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124–127 San Diego, California. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 60, 62, 63
right-of-way geometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 San Francisco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 105 and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
right-of-way parking areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 SCMs signalization:
right-of-way (ROW) see supplementary cementitious materials and energy efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 seating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62, 64–65, 69 and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
design importance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Seattle: and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 57–58, 63
riparian corridors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152, 183, 207 case studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 silt fences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126, 137, 141
risk, perception of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 site assessment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38–48
Riverdale Country School (Bronx) . . . . . . . . . 129, 137, 144, 191 continuous soil planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139–140
robotic methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 healthy planting techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
rodent control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 landscape protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
see also pest management recycled/reclaimed materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
roof downspout controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46–48, 152, 176
roof runoff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 stormwater management. . . . . . . . . . . 15, 122, 127, 131, 141 and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
221
hydrologic/hydraulic analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 44–45, 84, 125, 134, 136, 139 and surface pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106, 107 and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
and infiltration structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 right-of-way drainage optimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124–127
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 soil contamination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136, 140 and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
planning for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38–39 reduction of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98, 110, 181, 190 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 soil erosion and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 41, 136, 139, 143
and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 see erosion control and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
and soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 soil gradation testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 surface pretreatment. . . . . 125, 128–129, 134, 137, 140, 144
and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 soil organisms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 163
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 soil tackifiers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
see also soil analysis Solid Waste Division (King County, Washington State) . . . . . . . 91 and water conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
site protection plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46–47, 152, 188–189 sonar utility inspections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 119–120
Skinny Streets Program (Portland, Oregon). . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 80 sound utility inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 and water quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
slag SOx (sulfur dioxide). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 207 water quality inlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132–133, 137, 140
see air-cooled blast furnace slag; ground granulated speed-limit signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 water reuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116, 117, 121, 122, 178
blast furnace slag stakeholders and water source protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
sliplining. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111, 112 see community stakeholders stormwater parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134–135
slope standard penetration testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 straight section utility cuts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
see grading standardization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 150, 176 stratospheric ozone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
smearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137, 141, 156 standards street cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
snowplowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 see regulatory issues; standardization Street Edge Alternative (Seattle). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 19, 127
sodium chloride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 190 standing water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 street furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 57, 64–65
soil amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159–160 standoff zones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 street name signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Staten Island Bluebelt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 24, 145 street widths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 79, 80
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 sterilants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 streetlighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70–72
and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 stockpiling: and energy efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 70, 71
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 and erosion control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 and mass transit facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . 91, 92, 94, 98 and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71, 81
soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40–43 and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 188 and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 158 and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Stone Street (New York City). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 70
and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 stormwater collection/recycling systems streetscape design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52–72
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 see water reuse for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 56, 57, 60–62, 79
and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 44 stormwater management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116–146 case studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 22, 25
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 and community stakeholders. . . . . . . . . 52–54, 57, 60, 62, 66
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 bioretention . . . . . . . 121, 122, 125, 127, 129, 139–142, 155 and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64–67
and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 case studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 19, 24, 26 and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
soil berming catch basin inserts. . 119, 125, 130–131, 132, 137, 140, 192 and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68–69
see earth berms constructed wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 125, 143–146, 204 streetlighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 56, 62, 65, 70–72, 81, 165
soil classification testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121–123 for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 56, 62–63, 79
soil compaction: and continuous soil planting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 see also streetscape design for pedestrians
and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 and costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 116, 119 streetscape design for bicyclists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60–62
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 and air quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 detention structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134–135 examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
and infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116, 117, 152 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and quality of life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44–45, 125, 134, 136, 139, 143 and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 57
and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 117 streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55–59
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 infiltration structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136–138 and air quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 55
and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 integrated planning for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 116–118 examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 58
and soil analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
222
and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 165

and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 65
traffic management:
and construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
U
and quality of life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 57, 60, 62, 65 UHI
and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 108 see urban heat island (UHI) effect
and streetlighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 70 traffic markings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 82, 85, 87 ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel) fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
streetscape design for surface mass transit. . . . . . . . . . . . 62–63 traffic signals ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
and air quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 see signalization underground media filters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 transit facilities Union Square (New York City). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 see mass transit facilities universal soil loss equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 transit-priority lanes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 urban ecology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
structural practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 125–126 trash receptacles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62, 65, 69 Urban Forest Master Plan (Syracuse, New York). . . . . . . . . . 166
structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157–158, 165, 168, 171, 207 urban growth guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
travel streets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
sub-base layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98–99 urban heat island (UHI) effect:
Tree and Vegetation Protection and Transplant Plan. . . . . . . . 160
submerged gravel wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
tree gator bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
sulfur dioxide (SOx). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 207 and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
tree guards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
sunlight: defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
tree protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 171
and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 79
tree wrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
and biotope-based plant arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . 183–184 overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
trees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163–164 and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 81, 82
and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 165–166, 178, 183
and air quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 166
Sunrise Yards Department of Transportation Maintenance Facility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95, 96
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 95–97, 99–100 and construction impact reduction . . . 46, 122, 189, 190–191 and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 56
see also blast furnace slag; fly ash continuous soil planting . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165, 168–169, 170 and trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 163
surface pretreatment. . . . . . . 125, 128–129, 134, 137, 140, 144 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
sustainable forest products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 207 and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 166, 172, 197, 198
swales healthy planting techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 see also regulatory issues
see vegetated swales and mowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 US Food and Drug Administration Headquarters (Queens) . . 175
Syracuse, New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 and noise pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 46, 163, 165 US Green Building Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 122
pavement shading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 165–167 US Soil Conservation Service dispersion test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
T protection barriers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 utilidors (utility ducts). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
utility cut fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
T-section utility cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 utility cuts:
and security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68, 69
tack coat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87, 106 impact minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104–105
selection of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163, 165, 170–171
tactile pavements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 and infrastructure coordination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
and structural soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 165, 168
tank trap techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 and lifecycle analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
telephones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 moratoriums on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
temperature and pavement albedo maximization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
see urban heat island (UHI) effect and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 trench planting
through pedestrian zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 57 see continuous soil planting
trench restoration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106–107
traffic accidents trenchless technologies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110–112
types of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
see safety and costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 110 utility ducts (utilidors). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
traffic calming measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 utility infrastructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 and landscape protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 see also utility management
and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 80 and pavement management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104–112
and public spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 trends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 infrastructure coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108–109
and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 truck routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152, 163
and streetscape design for bicyclists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Tucson, Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 and pavement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 81, 82, 92
and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . 55, 56, 57, 58 turfgrass reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 174–175, 176, 178 and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 56, 66
traffic control devices turning lanes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 trench restoration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106–107
see signalization turning radii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 80 trenchless technologies. . . . . . . . . 15, 77, 110–112, 191, 207
traffic islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125, 155 turning restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 utility cut impact minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104–105
223
V and biointensive integrated pest management. . . . . . . . . . 181

and bioretention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139, 140
Z
Vancouver, Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 and catch basin inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 130 zero waste promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
vegetated filter strips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85, 125, 128, 129, 140 and constructed wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143, 144
see also surface pretreatment and detention structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
vegetated swales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 122, 125, 127, 128, 204 and ecological health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
see also surface pretreatment and existing vegetation survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
vegetation and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
see landscaping; plant selection; trees and impervious pavement reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 120
vegetation design and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
see plant selection and reduced-emission materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
vehicle miles traveled (VMT). . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 55, 58, 60, 195 and right-of-way construction impact reduction. . . . . . . . . 196
vehicular emissions and right-of-way drainage optimization . . . . . . . . . . . 124, 127
see emissions control and site protection plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Victoria, British Columbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 119–120
Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 and stormwater management planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
visibility: and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
and clean-fuel technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 and utility management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
and earth berms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 water quality inlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132–133
and pavement shading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 and water source protection . . . . . . . . 47, 110, 119, 192–193
and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
and streetscape design for pedestrians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 70 see also groundwater contamination prevention; water quality
visual utility inspections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 water quality:
VMT (vehicle miles traveled). . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 55, 58, 60, 195 and citywide landscape planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
volatile organic compounds (VOCs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and construction runoff minimization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 62, 72, 86, 119, 192, 207 and healthy planting techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
W and pervious pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
walking
see also water pollution reduction
see streetscape design for pedestrians
water quality inlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132–133, 137, 140
Washington State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 91, 100, 160, 195
water quality volume (first flush) . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 121, 125, 132
see also Seattle
water reuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116, 117, 121, 122, 178, 205 DISCLAIMER
waste management:
Water Tunnel No. 3 (New York City). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
C&D waste processors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 92, 194 The contents of this publication were prepared as a result of a team
water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178–180
composting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 119, 159, 171–172, 204 effort, are presented in good faith, and are intended as general guidance
watercourse restoration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
and construction impact reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . only. The material compiled herein includes information from many
watering
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 189, 191, 192, 194–195 sources, and while every effort was made to properly cite the resources,
see irrigation
and invasive plant species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 191 it is possible that not all appropriate attributions are indicated. Further,
watershed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 the authors and the organizations to which the authors belong make
and landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170, 181
wayfinding signage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 63 no representations or warranties, either express or implied, as to the
overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
weirs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 completeness or accuracy of the contents. Users of these guidelines
and recycled/reclaimed materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 90, 92
West Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 must make independent determinations as to the suitability of utilizing
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . 119, 131, 133, 141
wetlands: the information for their own purposes and on the understanding that the
and streetscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 70, 71
constructed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121, 125, 143–146, 204 information is not a substitute for specific technical or professional advice
see also recycled/reclaimed materials; trash receptacles
defined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 or services. In no event will the publisher, the authors or the organizations
water conservation:
white-topping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 to which the authors belong, be responsible or liable for damages of any
overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 nature or kind whatsoever resulting from the use of, or reliance on, the
and stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116, 121
see also biodiversity; ecological health contents of this publication. The sponsoring organizations further make no
and turfgrass reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174, 178 representation that the use of any product, apparatus, process, method,
and water pollution reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 or other information will not infringe privately owned rights and will assume
and water-efficient landscape design. . . . . . . . . . . . . 178–180
water pollution reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119–120 X no liability for any loss, injury, or damage resulting from, or occurring in
connection with, the use of information contained, described, disclosed or
and absorbent landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 xeriscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 referred to in these Guidelines.
224

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PA.4 Use Pervious Pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Streetscape Construction Practices

New York City Department of Design and Construction

Design Trust for Public Space

DESIGN TRUST PREFACE DDC PREFACE

David J. Burney, AIA

Why High Performance Guidelines?

Guidelines Organization Guidelines DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Enhance public health, safety, and quality of life

Optimize lifecycle and performance

Integration of Best Management Practices

HIGH PERFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE BENEFITS Improved Air Quality

Reduced Noise Pollution Improved Energy Performance

Reduced Impact of Construction Decreased Operations and Maintenance Costs

Improved Water Quality, Hydrology,

Reduced Impact of Construction

Reduced Use of Potable Water

Municipal Capital Investment

Enhanced Ecological Health

Lifecycle and Performance

and Economic Development

Increased Property Values

Improved Public Health,

and Maintenance Costs

Improved Water Quality, Hydrology,

Reduced Impact of Construction

Reduced Use of Potable Water

Municipal Capital Investment

Lifecycle and Performance

and Economic Development

Increased Property Values

Improved Public Health,

and Maintenance Costs

trends AND PRECEDENTS National Precedents

The City of Seattle

Chicago has also undertaken groundbreaking initiatives in landscaping and

The City of Portland, Oregon

In 1995, Portland implemented an innovative, long-range planning initiative called

Newark Liberty International Airport infiltration trench

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Portland’s Metro 2040 growth concept

New York City Precedents

Unsuspecting visitors to Central Park could mistake it for a swath of primordial

EXAMPLE GREENING OF GREENWICH STREET Project Goals

EXAMPLE RECONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 9A Project Goals

EXAMPLE STATEN ISLAND BLUEBELT Project Goals

EXAMPLE GREENSTREETS PROGRAM Project Goals

EXAMPLE NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN CORRIDOR Project Goals

EXAMPLE QUEENS PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION Project Goals

These large-scale investments represent an unprecedented opportunity to

THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING PROCESS

Incorporate high performance measures into geometric design alternatives.

SA.1 TECHNICAL STRATEGIES

Work with community groups to enhance and maintain streetscape. (SS.1)

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection