Thesis
Integrating green rating systems: A case study for ferry terminal stormwater projects
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2011
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101744
Abstract
Washington State Ferries (WSF) has unique challenges when it comes to dealing with sustainability, particularly with stormwater pollution. WSF terminals are intermodal facilities, include over water structures (trestles), and are close to the Puget Sound. These factors present difficulties when (1) using sustainability rating tools, and (2) when mitigating stormwater runoff. Most developing sustainability tools are use specific, and none specifically apply to ferry terminals. Stormwater pollution from the terminals might affect environmentally sensitive species in Puget Sound. Conventional low impact development practices (LID) for stormwater mitigation tend to promote dispersed practices, which is difficult at terminals due to limited land availability and proximity to the water. When considering sustainable construction, there are a multitude of different guides and rating systems available, several of which may in part be related to WSF facilities from the marine side, at the intermodal interface, for buildings and other infrastructure, and through upland transportation modes. The five following rating systems were chosen as being representative for WSF: GreenLITES, LEED, Sustainable Sites Initiative, the Port Authority of NY/NJ Sustainable Infrastructure Guidelines, and the Marine Vessel Environmental Performance Assessment (MVeP). Integration of the five rating systems and a proposed WSU Ferry Sustainability Guide with the Safety Management System (SMS) of the agency was developed into a Green Rating Integration Platform (GRIP) through reorganization of the systems and then incorporation into a spreadsheet presentation. Future work could expand the GRIP for other intermodal applications, and to include regulations and standards, further helping WSF and other agencies to make sustainable decisions. Stormwater focused aspects of sustainability through LID were then investigated through two innovative strategies proposed for the Vashon Island Terminal; (1) a reverse slope on the trestle with capture and treatment landside, and (2) the use of a pervious concrete trestle overlay in conjunction with high efficiency sweeping. Different design options were analyzed for each of these strategies, and a decision support tool created relating design to water quality implications and other factors. Both strategies were further analyzed using the GRIP to see what credits they would be eligible for in each of the selected rating systems.
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Details
- Title
- Integrating green rating systems
- Creators
- Michael Marshall Thompson
- Contributors
- Liv Haselbach (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525298301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis