2000 Plans

Project Initiation and Completion Dates: February 7, 2000 - July 31, 2000

Project Description:In February, Transportation Secretary David McCoy announced a goal of implementing a teleworking goal of 10% for Raleigh-based DOT employees-about 250-by July.

The Secretary created a task force and charged the group with establishing a teleworking pilot project which would form the framework for a comprehensive teleworking program for all of DOT. The task force met with representatives from the state's Teleworking Pilot Project-as well as representatives of private companies with successful teleworking programs in the development of TeleDOT, which was officially unveiled at a kickoff for managers on March 9.

TeleDOT Project Manager Stacie Keyser and Business Analyst Gina Reynolds are currently meeting with managers and employees throughout DOT to qualify employees and conduct cost analyses. Already nearly 200 people have qualified for teleworking and about 20 are currently participating in TeleDOT.

Anticipated Environmental Sustainability Benefits: By serving as a model for other state agencies as well as the private industry, DOT plans to encourage teleworking throughout the state. Teleworking improves quality of life for everyone by preserving our environment. Decreased traffic results in less congestion on our highways, less damage to our ozone layer and less fuel consumption.

Contact: Stacie Keyser, TeleDOT Project Manager
(919) 508-1864

Project Initiation and Completion Dates: On-going

Project Description:During right-of-way acquisition for new construction projects, there are homes that must be moved or demolished. NCDOT has partnered with the Wake County Habitat for Humanity to have three homes originally scheduled for demolition to be partially deconstructed, diverting 4,000 pounds of demolition debris from the landfill. Habitat removes items such as carpeting, cabinets, fixtures, windows, doors, etc. and stores them at their Re-use Center where they are sold at discount rates to the general public or used in new construction for low-income families. Volunteers, many of whom are working toward building their own homes, do the deconstruction. As a result of this success, NCDOT plans to expand its partnership statewide with other Habitat locations.

Anticipated Environmental Sustainability Benefits: The reuse of demolition debris saves valuable landfill space and provides building materials at economical prices for lower-income families or other home owners. The reuse saves energy and natural resources and reduces the negative impact on the environment. It also demonstrates to the community the importance of reusing valuable building materials.

Contact: Marie Sutton, Resource Conservation Engineer
(919) 250-4128

Contact:  Scott Skrypek, Habitat Deconstruction Coordinator
(919) 833-6768 Ext. 232

Project Initiation and Completion Dates: February 2000 - June 2000

Project Description:NCDOT and Correction Enterprises sought a more efficient, cost effective, and environmentally-friendly process for recycling signs. The aluminum signs along North Carolina's highways routinely need to be replaced as they age, are damaged, and/or lose their reflectivity. Aluminum sign recycling is conducted through arrangements between NCDOT and the Department of Corrections. The traditional recycling process has used abrasive dry sanding machines to remove the old reflective material from signs. This earlier process not only reduced the thickness of the aluminum, but also removed the chromate conversion coating, which then would have to be reapplied.

Early in 2000, Correction Enterprises awarded a contract to Hydrostripper of Fergus Falls, MN, for the purchase of a state-of-the-art high-pressure water system, which is being installed at the Sign Reclaiming Plant in Carthage. Inmates will recycle the signs using the new system, which will not damage the aluminum, thereby allowing the signs to be reused over and over again.

Hydrostripper is under contract to have equipment installed at the Carthage facility in June, 2000. Some modifications to the existing building will be required, including floor drains, water hook-ups, and ventilation. Training of operators also will be required.

Anticipated Environmental Sustainability Benefits: The most outstanding feature of the high-pressure water system is that the aluminum will not be affected during the cleaning. Not only did the earlier sanding method gradually grind away the aluminum, adding waste by-product to the waste stream, it also removed the chromate conversion coating. This chromate coating would then have to be reapplied, an environmentally unfriendly operation due to the use of chromium, a heavy metal, in the coating solution. The high-pressure water system leaves the aluminum and the chromate conversion coating unaffected.

Contact: John Grant, NCDOT Traffic Engineering
(919)733-3915

Contact: Chuck Congleton, DOC Correction Enterprises
(919) 716-3600

Project Initiation and Completion Dates: February 1999 - June 2000 and beyond

Project Description: The Departmental Solar Working Group, sponsored by Janet D'Ignazio, Chief Planning and Environmental Officer, was chartered in February 1999. The original mission of the group was to find applications within NCDOT for which solar energy would be the most cost effective and reliable technology to use, and to facilitate deployment of solar energy into these applications. The group's efforts have been assisted through a partnership with the North Carolina Solar Center of North Carolina State University. A solar survey was conducted to identify transportation projects that utilize solar technology, and to identify potential additional applications throughout the department.

In late 1999, the group's mission was expanded from solar energy to include other types of alternative energies and is now called the Alternative Energy Working Group. These alternative types of energy systems include solar, geothermal, wind, conservation, and any other type of nontraditional energy source except alternatively fueled vehicles, which is a separate but coordinated initiative within the department.

Examples of the uses of these alternative energy sources would be solar panels for space and water heating in rest areas and departmental offices, highway sign and parking lot lighting, powering variable message boards, for example. The group now consists of representatives from a wide range of operational units within NCDOT. Group meetings are conducted monthly in the Transportation Building. Currently, the group is developing a 10-Year Alternative Energy Action Plan for NCDOT, and plans to deploy an informational website soon. Input from interested other organizations and the public is welcome.

Anticipated Environmental Sustainability Benefits: By using less energy, and relying on a wider range of energy sources, NCDOT will create less air and other types of pollution, and will contribute to reducing our dependency on traditional energy sources. By sharing information on a variety of feasible transportation oriented alternative energy solutions, NCDOT plans to encourage the use of alternative energies among individuals and within other agencies and corporations.

Contact:  Bill Schaller, Alternative Energy Working Group Chair
(919) 733-5616