GRTC Wins Grand Award from American Council of Engineering Companies

December 12, 2011

Richmond, VA -- The American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia (ACEC) awarded The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) with 2012 Grand Award in the Engineering Excellence Awards competition.

GRTC is leading the way in green design for transit authorities. It turned a contaminated 12-acre site into a modern, state-of-the-art bus operation and maintenance campus. The facility, built by Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. of Winchester, includes a 26,000-square-foot administrative office building and a 100,600-square-foot primary bus maintenance and heavy repair facility plus outdoor bus storage.

Project engineers Gannett Fleming and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. received high praise from the judges: "some of the technologies used by the engineering firms in this year's competition are pioneering efforts that haven't been employed before. All of the projects are outstanding examples of engineering at its best," says Nancy Israel, ACEC Virginia executive director.

The new environmentally friendly facility is the first transit facility in Richmond to earn the LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Energy conservation and efficiency strategies were integrated into all facets of the design and construction process. A comprehensive waste management program was central to this approach, allowing methods to conserve natural resources, prevent pollution, reduce waste, and capitalize on all material recycling opportunities. An 80 percent efficient water reclamation system recycles the gray water used for bus washing to conserve water and reduce utility costs. Utilization of low-flow faucets and showerheads also reduce water use by 20 percent, and waterless urinals reduce water consumption by 30 percent. To ensure indoor environmental air quality, low VOC emitting materials, including adhesives, sealants, paints and carpets, were specified for the construction.

Additionally the facility's Building Management System is programmed to continually monitor carbon dioxide levels in all office, shop and training areas, and adjust outdoor air ventilation automatically to maintain prescribed air quality in each space to maximize energy efficiency.

One of GRTC's goals for the project was to stimulate urban renewal in the city of Richmond and reinvest resources back into the community. With political support and the backing of the local community, GRTC transformed a neglected site into a beautiful business campus that supports a modern model for revitalizing cities.

The new facility enables GRTC to achieve more effective daily operation of its fleet of 176 buses which serve 10.3 million passengers annually. GRTC led the way in mass transit more than 100 years ago as the nation's first mass transportation system. Today it is leading the way by incorporating green technology into its transit facility.

Source: ACEC Virginia

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