Green light: On Earth Day, a look at MDOT initiatives to increase sustainability

Fast facts:
– Today is Earth Day, and MDOT is marking the day by focusing on some of the innovative ways the department is working toward a more sustainable transportation system.
– Energy-efficient LED bulbs have replaced older fixtures on Detroit highways, major bridges and at some Welcome Centers.
– Since 2011, MDOT has been using renewable solar and wind energy at some of its facilities around the state.

Washington, D.C. – April, 26 – (RealEstateRama) — Earth Day is an annual opportunity for the nation to focus on the environment, and a perfect time to look at some of the innovative ways that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is working to make our transportation system more sustainable.

“MDOT’s priorities are to safely and efficiently aid the movement of people and commerce,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “These initiatives help support those goals to make our operations more sustainable, both financially and in terms of their impact on the environment.”

Here are a few examples of the many ways MDOT is incorporating new technologies, innovative programs and partnerships to cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve mobility and save energy – helping the environment while saving taxpayer dollars.

– LED lighting
MDOT has recently undertaken energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting projects designed to save energy and millions of taxpayer dollars. MDOT began this month replacing the first of more than 15,000 outdated highway light fixtures and bulbs in the Metro Detroit area. The work is being done under an innovative public-private partnership agreement signed last fall between MDOT and Freeway Lighting Partners. The installation project will be completed late next year. MDOT estimates that over the contract’s 15-year term, Michigan taxpayers will save an estimated $13 million in energy costs.

Other LED lighting projects have been completed or are in progress in other parts of the state. The International Bridge Authority (IBA) in Sault Ste. Marie replaced older high-pressure sodium fixtures on the bridge deck and arches last year. The IBA expects a 55 percent reduction in energy usage, which will result in estimated savings of at least $44,310 in energy costs and $30,330 in maintenance costs over the life of the fixtures. The expected payback on the investment is six years. In addition to the IBA, MDOT has LED projects completed or under way at the US-2/I-75 interchange in St. Ignace and at the Mackinac Bridge. LED lighting is also being incorporated into future designs.

– Solar and wind
MDOT has been looking to the sun and wind for clean, renewable energy at some of its facilities around the state. In 2011, the department completed projects that were 100 percent federally funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

MDOT worked with Cascade Renewable Energy of Grand Rapids to develop and install solar photovoltaic arrays at rest areas on M-28 in Seney and I-75 in St. Ignace, and at Welcome Centers on I-94 in New Buffalo and US-127 in Clare. All of the solar arrays are tied into the utility grid, allowing excess electricity to flow onto the grid when not needed. While these installations are not meeting all of the energy needs at their facilities, they are providing energy offsets.

In 2011, MDOT installed a small wind turbine power generator at the St. Ignace Rest Area. The single-turbine wind system is expected to generate 4,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide) at the facility by 2.8 metric tons – the equivalent of burning more than 300 gallons of gasoline.

– Roundabouts
A modern roundabout is a circular intersection design increasingly being used by MDOT. There are 21 modern roundabouts currently on the state trunkline system, with at least 10 more in the planning or construction phases. These types of intersections are not only safer for pedestrians and vehicles, but also reduce air and noise pollution. Vehicles flow though roundabouts steadily, rather than stopping and starting. A roundabout can result in up to a 40 percent reduction in some air pollutants and up to 30 percent in fuel savings.

Roundabouts also reduce long-term operational and maintenance costs that are hardwired into traditional signalized intersections. There are no traffic signals to power or maintain, which can amount to a savings of about $5,000 per year per roundabout.

Another reason roundabouts are greener: the central islands provide greater natural storm water retention.

– Paperless construction
Over the past several years, MDOT has phased out its paper-based system to document construction projects, leading to big increases in efficiency and collaboration and decreases in costs and the amount of paper the department uses. Replacing paper processes with e-signatures and workflows has reduced approval times for some documents from 30 days to just three days. The state saves an estimated 6,772,000 pieces of paper annually. Estimated annual statewide savings in mailing-related costs is more than $7 million: $4 million-plus in MDOT savings and almost $3 million in contractor savings.

– Sensible salt spreading
MDOT follows “sensible salting” procedures for winter maintenance, with a goal of using just enough salt to achieve the goal of melting snow and ice and no more, reducing any potential environmental impacts from the amount of material that runs off the roadway.

MDOT crews are trained and follow guidelines on when and where to apply salt, and use techniques such as pre-wetting, or spraying brine on dry salt to improve the effectiveness of salt and keep it on the roadway. While overall salt use varies based on the severity of a given winter, these practices reduce unnecessary application of salt.

Download MDOT’s Mi Drive traffic information app: www.michigan.gov/drive

Contact: Dan Weingarten, MDOT Office of Communications

906-485-6322, ext. 136