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[2022 ARCHIVE] Yellow leaf icon Metro Sustainability
Dashboard   >   Materials, Construction and Operations

Materials, Construction and Operations

Overview

With the passage of Measure R in 2008 and Measure M in 2016, Metro has had access to the resources and funding needed to accelerate the expansion of our world-class transportation system. This includes construction and maintenance of rail lines, rapid bus lines, bike paths and more. A lifecycle approach to these initiatives will advance regional mobility, while integrating sustainability into planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance.

In 2011, we established a Green Construction Policy (GCP) to reduce emissions during construction, as well as the Sustainability Plan (SP) Program to assist contractors with meeting the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) obligations. We have built on these successes by creating an interdepartmental Sustainability Engagement Team that is responsible for embedding sustainability in every phase of our projects. The development of our Sustainable Acquisition Program in 2019 strengthened our efforts to sustainably source products and services. We continue to proactively identify opportunities to advance sustainability within material selections, construction activities and operational processes.

Program Highlights

Improving Air Quality Through Metro's Green Construction Policy
Photo of a contractor leaning over and using an electric saw to cut a cinderblock on a construction site. Metro's GCP reduced the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project's GHG emissions by 45% compared to the base-case, eliminating 2,610 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).

Metro's Green Construction Policy (GCP), adopted in 2011, has pioneered efforts to improve construction-related air quality throughout Southern California for more than a decade. By mandating that contractors use greener, less-polluting equipment and renewable diesel, this policy has ensured the implementation of best practices protecting air quality for its major infrastructure expansion projects, including the Metro Regional Connector Transit Project.

As Metro's newest light rail extension project, the Regional Connector project adds 1.9 miles of new track and three underground stations connecting Union Station and the 7th Street/Metro Center Station in downtown LA's Financial District. Given the dense location of this project, reducing construction-related air pollution was a critical priority. Through efficient construction equipment provisions and renewable diesel requirements, GCP reduced the project's greenhouse gas emissions by 45% or 2,610 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Additionally, it eliminated 38 tons of air pollutants, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 63% (35 tons), particulate matter emissions by 79% (1.1 tons) and reactive organic gases emissions by 66% (1.8 tons).

Achieving such significant emissions reductions was not easy. Metro worked closely with its contractors and partners to not just comply with, but exceed, minimum requirements established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), in addition to establishing robust, ongoing inspection and tracking processes. The success of this effort highlights the importance of collaboration and established a replicable model for reducing air pollution from construction projects across the region.

2030 Targets

Understanding this Target

This target measures Metro's efforts to design and build 100% of our capital projects to the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) requirements and to achieve enhanced green building performance measures contained in CALGreen Tier 2. This second tier contains voluntary measures in addition to the regulation's minimum requirements. Target performance is measured by the percentage of new projects completed within the performance period (2021 and 2022) that are designed and built to Tier 2 standards.

To achieve this target, Metro is requiring contractors to comply with the mandatory and voluntary measures outlined in CALGreen Tier 2 when designing and building capital projects, ensuring that we design and construct projects that both demonstrate excellence in sustainable design and advance regional mobility and resilience. Our Sustainability Engagement Team is supporting the achievement of this target, intervening early in the planning and design phases to integrate the relevant sustainable design elements. In addition, staff supports contractor compliance throughout each phase of a project, utilizing robust internal communication and partnerships during the earliest phases of the capital project lifecycle to meet Tier 2 requirements.

Target Performance

From 2021-2022, two projects concluded and moved from the construction phase to the operation handover phase, indicating the successful completion of the project in alignment with CALGreen Tier 2 standards. As of 2022, 12 projects continue through the Sustainability Engagement Team process to ensure that all mandatory and voluntary CALGreen measures, as well as any other above and beyond sustainability strategies, are delivered as part of the project.

A crucial step in this process is the implementation of a sustainability management plan, which is part of the early planning phase for each project. Through the sustainability management plan, project teams are encouraged to work collaboratively with the project contractors to identify viable commitments to sustainability, which in turn become integral elements in the broader commitments and electives for CALGreen 22. The Sustainability Engagement Team facilitates the incorporation of CALGreen requirements, saving Metro costs for additional planners or designers. As a next step, Metro is planning to update the Metro Rail Design Criteria (MRDC) in 2023 to mandate CALGreen Tier 2 compliance for all buildings exceeding 10,000 square feet. These processes ensure that Metro's projects deliver environmental benefits and set an example for other entities in the construction and infrastructure industry.

a photo describing Complete Sustainable Acquisition Program training/ implementation and develop 2030 program targets for annual sustainable acquisition spend by 2022.
Understanding this Target

Sustainable acquisition is a holistic procurement strategy that considers the environmental, ethical and social impacts of an organization's supply chain in addition to the traditional selection criteria of price, quality and functionality. Metro's annual budget generally exceeds $6 billion, and our operations rely on the procurement of millions of dollars' worth of goods and services. Therefore, the agency has significant opportunities to reduce the environmental and social impacts within our acquisition and supply chain activities. The Sustainable Acquisition Program will advance fiscal responsibility, protect Metro from supply chain risks, reduce toxic materials, improve air quality and support economic development. It will also change our purchasing and behavioral practices to minimize waste by reducing the upstream and downstream impacts of our procured material. This target measures Metro's progress implementing the program, beginning with the development of staff training and implementation support materials. Quantitative performance targets measuring the results of the program (i.e., annual spend on sustainable goods/services) are actively being developed.

Target Performance

In June 2019, Metro's Board of Directors adopted the Sustainable Acquisition Program Framework and authorized the development of modified acquisition planning procedures and a toolkit to enhance the process. From 2019-2020, staff worked across departments to identify best practices from peer agencies, develop draft tools and test the efficacy of sustainable acquisition in practice. Implementation of the program was originally slated to begin in 2021. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for Metro, including both significant revenue shortfalls and high demand for acquisition of pandemic-related supplies. Due to this combined challenge facing Metro, implementation of the Sustainable Acquisition Program was temporarily postponed.

In 2022, Metro resumed preparations to launch the program by incorporating new sustainability features into the agency's procurement workflow and developing internal program training for staff. The program is currently projected to fully roll out in 2024. Once deployed, Metro will develop program goals and evaluate the effectiveness of the program tools and processes. Additionally, Metro will evaluate the environmental outcomes of previously awarded contracts containing sustainability considerations to identify lessons learned.

Overview

With the passage of Measure R in 2008 and Measure M in 2016, Metro has had access to the resources and funding needed to accelerate the expansion of our world-class transportation system. This includes construction and maintenance of rail lines, rapid bus lines, bike paths and more. A lifecycle approach to these initiatives will advance regional mobility, while integrating sustainability into planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance.

In 2011, we established a Green Construction Policy (GCP) to reduce emissions during construction, as well as the Sustainability Plan (SP) Program to assist contractors with meeting the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) obligations. We have built on these successes by creating an interdepartmental Sustainability Engagement Team that is responsible for embedding sustainability in every phase of our projects. The development of our Sustainable Acquisition Program in 2019 strengthened our efforts to sustainably source products and services. We continue to proactively identify opportunities to advance sustainability within material selections, construction activities and operational processes.

Program Highlights

Improving Air Quality Through Metro's Green Construction Policy
Photo of a contractor leaning over and using an electric saw to cut a cinderblock on a construction site. Metro's GCP reduced the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project's GHG emissions by 45% compared to the base-case, eliminating 2,610 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).

Metro's Green Construction Policy (GCP), adopted in 2011, has pioneered efforts to improve construction-related air quality throughout Southern California for more than a decade. By mandating that contractors use greener, less-polluting equipment and renewable diesel, this policy has ensured the implementation of best practices protecting air quality for its major infrastructure expansion projects, including the Metro Regional Connector Transit Project.

As Metro's newest light rail extension project, the Regional Connector project adds 1.9 miles of new track and three underground stations connecting Union Station and the 7th Street/Metro Center Station in downtown LA's Financial District. Given the dense location of this project, reducing construction-related air pollution was a critical priority. Through efficient construction equipment provisions and renewable diesel requirements, GCP reduced the project's greenhouse gas emissions by 45% or 2,610 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Additionally, it eliminated 38 tons of air pollutants, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 63% (35 tons), particulate matter emissions by 79% (1.1 tons) and reactive organic gases emissions by 66% (1.8 tons).

Achieving such significant emissions reductions was not easy. Metro worked closely with its contractors and partners to not just comply with, but exceed, minimum requirements established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), in addition to establishing robust, ongoing inspection and tracking processes. The success of this effort highlights the importance of collaboration and established a replicable model for reducing air pollution from construction projects across the region.

2030 Targets

Understanding this Target

This target measures Metro's efforts to design and build 100% of our capital projects to the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) requirements and to achieve enhanced green building performance measures contained in CALGreen Tier 2. This second tier contains voluntary measures in addition to the regulation's minimum requirements. Target performance is measured by the percentage of new projects completed within the performance period (2021 and 2022) that are designed and built to Tier 2 standards.

To achieve this target, Metro is requiring contractors to comply with the mandatory and voluntary measures outlined in CALGreen Tier 2 when designing and building capital projects, ensuring that we design and construct projects that both demonstrate excellence in sustainable design and advance regional mobility and resilience. Our Sustainability Engagement Team is supporting the achievement of this target, intervening early in the planning and design phases to integrate the relevant sustainable design elements. In addition, staff supports contractor compliance throughout each phase of a project, utilizing robust internal communication and partnerships during the earliest phases of the capital project lifecycle to meet Tier 2 requirements.

Target Performance

From 2021-2022, two projects concluded and moved from the construction phase to the operation handover phase, indicating the successful completion of the project in alignment with CALGreen Tier 2 standards. As of 2022, 12 projects continue through the Sustainability Engagement Team process to ensure that all mandatory and voluntary CALGreen measures, as well as any other above and beyond sustainability strategies, are delivered as part of the project.

A crucial step in this process is the implementation of a sustainability management plan, which is part of the early planning phase for each project. Through the sustainability management plan, project teams are encouraged to work collaboratively with the project contractors to identify viable commitments to sustainability, which in turn become integral elements in the broader commitments and electives for CALGreen 22. The Sustainability Engagement Team facilitates the incorporation of CALGreen requirements, saving Metro costs for additional planners or designers. As a next step, Metro is planning to update the Metro Rail Design Criteria (MRDC) in 2023 to mandate CALGreen Tier 2 compliance for all buildings exceeding 10,000 square feet. These processes ensure that Metro's projects deliver environmental benefits and set an example for other entities in the construction and infrastructure industry.

a photo describing Complete Sustainable Acquisition Program training/ implementation and develop 2030 program targets for annual sustainable acquisition spend by 2022.
Understanding this Target

Sustainable acquisition is a holistic procurement strategy that considers the environmental, ethical and social impacts of an organization's supply chain in addition to the traditional selection criteria of price, quality and functionality. Metro's annual budget generally exceeds $6 billion, and our operations rely on the procurement of millions of dollars' worth of goods and services. Therefore, the agency has significant opportunities to reduce the environmental and social impacts within our acquisition and supply chain activities. The Sustainable Acquisition Program will advance fiscal responsibility, protect Metro from supply chain risks, reduce toxic materials, improve air quality and support economic development. It will also change our purchasing and behavioral practices to minimize waste by reducing the upstream and downstream impacts of our procured material. This target measures Metro's progress implementing the program, beginning with the development of staff training and implementation support materials. Quantitative performance targets measuring the results of the program (i.e., annual spend on sustainable goods/services) are actively being developed.

Target Performance

In June 2019, Metro's Board of Directors adopted the Sustainable Acquisition Program Framework and authorized the development of modified acquisition planning procedures and a toolkit to enhance the process. From 2019-2020, staff worked across departments to identify best practices from peer agencies, develop draft tools and test the efficacy of sustainable acquisition in practice. Implementation of the program was originally slated to begin in 2021. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for Metro, including both significant revenue shortfalls and high demand for acquisition of pandemic-related supplies. Due to this combined challenge facing Metro, implementation of the Sustainable Acquisition Program was temporarily postponed.

In 2022, Metro resumed preparations to launch the program by incorporating new sustainability features into the agency's procurement workflow and developing internal program training for staff. The program is currently projected to fully roll out in 2024. Once deployed, Metro will develop program goals and evaluate the effectiveness of the program tools and processes. Additionally, Metro will evaluate the environmental outcomes of previously awarded contracts containing sustainability considerations to identify lessons learned.