sustainability 2018 report INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

MARTA’s Contribution to Sustainability

The Metropolitan Authority (MARTA) provides essential transportation services for the Atlanta million Metropolitan Region, home to over 4.4 4.4 1 people in Atlanta Metro Area million people. MARTA provides bus and rail service to more than 500,000 passengers on a daily basis2, including services to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world.3 500,000 In addition, MARTA provides specialized bus & rail paratransit van services to residents needing assistance. MARTA’s role in passengers daily Metropolitan Atlanta is uniquely ours, service to providing a comprehensive and wide- reaching transit option that connects people to employment, entertainment, and recreation.

As a result of a growing Atlanta area population, and exciting expansion opportunities into more counties and airport specialized new routes, increased ridership is projected to continue into future years. With increased routes and increased ridership, our role in the Atlanta region’s discussions about transportation, paratransit connectivity and environment will only grow in years to come.

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At MARTA, we have enjoyed the challenge and opportunity to define what sustainability means internally, and to increase how we contribute to the broader sustainability of the Atlanta Metropolitan Region. Sustainability is As a public transit agency whose Our recent Carbon Footprint Update part of both our objectives and daily operations, as well as a goal in and mission is to provide safe and reliable for 2016 found that MARTA’s provision of itself. alternative forms of transportation, we of alternative transportation (alternative are as proud of our contributions to options to using single occupancy Our internal initiatives are viewed in terms of our attempts to realize the sustainability in the Atlanta Metropolitan passenger vehicles) to the Atlanta Triple Bottom Line: Region as we are of our own internal population prevents 638,624 metric sustainability accomplishments. As a tons of carbon dioxide equivalent4 from result of operating our buses and trains, being released into the atmosphere MARTA helps eliminate passenger due to mobility mode shift, congestion vehicles from our roadways daily. By relief, and changing land use. 1 2 3 reducing vehicle miles travelled, MARTA Achieving Having a net- Improving the is actively improving the region’s air cost-savings positive impact on communities in quality, which has improved substantially the environment which we operate, over the last decade. MARTA currently work, and live helps to alleviate heavy traffic issues that lengthen commutes and contribute to air pollution.

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MARTA’s commitment to sustainability was originally made several years ago, though our story has only just begun.

October 27 2008 2009

The MARTA Became a founding Board approved a policy on of the American Public Transportation signatory Association’s (APTA) Sustainability Commitment. The APTA initiative provided additional guidance and a solid framework for sustainability MARTA’s sustainability program. MARTA initially completed the signatory level which formally established our sustainability program. of APTA’s program by passing a Board action on sustainability, identifying a sustainability champion within the organization, establishing an outreach MARTA committed to respecting our environment and to program on sustainability for all staff, and undertaking a sustainability inventory reducing our dependence on non-renewable energy and by establishing baseline measurements of greenhouse gas emissions (2008) resources. At that time, the sustainability vision included and resource consumption Authority-wide (2012). several key points: • Establish MARTA’s environmental baseline and develop a comprehensive sustainability master plan • Reduce MARTA’s environmental footprint • Increase MARTA’s use of green products and services 2011 • Increase the volume of recycled materials MARTA introduced • Increase savings and Return on Investment (ROI) renewables into the through greening strategies agency’s energy portfolio 2012 with the installation of MARTA begins the

solar panels baseline year at the Laredo Bus Facility. for the majority of the sustainability data that MARTA monitors.

3 INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX 2015 MARTA’s commitment and efforts to date were acknowledged with the award of bronze level 2016 recognition by APTA.5 Below are some high level data points showing the progress 2018 we have made MARTA is now proud in reducing our impacts to have attained the on the environment. level of N silver recognition in March 2018 for our sustainability efforts. IION (CO2e per PMT) -10% In our most recent application we highlighted a number of the programs in this report including our LEED TR (gallons per PMT) -27% (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver buildings, energy efficiency upgrades, wash water T recycling, and transit-oriented development efforts. (lbs. per PMT) -13% This recent accomplishment was announced publicly All metrics are normalized by our ridership metric (passenger by APTA at their July 2018 Sustainability & Multimodal miles traveled or PMT); this makes our values more comparable Planning Workshop. to other transit agencies and accounts for our increasing service levels. Initiatives enacted to achieve these reductions are further described later in the report.

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MARTA has thrived in the self-imposed This Report is constructed of four main Of course, we recognize that the ambition of expanding our sustainability sections, each of which tells a chapter comprehensive implementation of program to include challenging of our story of sustainability: all these initiatives is ongoing. As MARTA continues to take initiatives to address our internal we continue to learn, improve, and and external operations. Historically, progress, MARTA will find further its role seriously, both we have not been as proactive at ways to integrate sustainability in Atlanta Metropolitan telling the story of sustainability at into our operations, as well as Region’s sustainability MARTA; this report aims to address Buildings Community new opportunities to contribute efforts and as an industry that. We are excited to highlight the to the sustainability of the leader in sustainability. accomplishments of our sustainability Atlanta Metropolitan Region. Our We believe that this report program since its inception. Sustainability Report, therefore, shares both sides of our concludes with our Vision Forward sustainability story. Environment Climate and what next steps we foresee for MARTA’s sustainability program.

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buildings building a more sustainable MARTA INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

MARTA is comprised of two main office buildings, 38 rail stations, five bus and three rail maintenance facilities, and other small facilities critical to our day-to-day operations and mission of providing transit to the Atlanta Metropolitan Region. In short, with over six million square feet, we are a significant property manager. As such, we recognized early on that our sustainability program would need to integrate with our building management and operations.

From large one-time initiatives to changing the culture of how we operate facilities, MARTA has made major strides at increasing the sustainability of our built environment.

MARTA’s approach to our buildings has three components:

Improve efficiency within existing buildings and infrastructure

Consider green design standards and best practices in new design

Incorporate renewable energy when and where feasible

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efficiency upgrades motion-detecting light switches lights: Efficiency Upgrades longer life span, low energy consumption, With an inventory of buildings of MARTA implemented a major program MARTA is also using more LED lights better quality light varying ages, ranging from the 1970s designed to replace standard light due to the longer life span, low to 2016, much of our infrastructure switches with motion-detecting sensor energy consumption, and was constructed during times when light switches in multipurpose rooms, better quality of light design and technology had not reached such as conference, break, copy, and output. The brighter light quality the efficiency levels or standards that other similar rooms that have moderate makes them better candidates we currently have available today. to infrequent use. The sensors turn off for overall security camera Therefore, MARTA has begun making the lights when the room is not in use, resolution, and their long the necessary adjustments and thus reducing energy use and saving lifespan reduces long- upgrades to improve efficiency in many dollars. These light switches will be term maintenance and of our existing buildings. implemented Authority-wide over the replacement cost. Currently, MARTA coming years. The ROI of this project has LED installations in all tunnels and is less than three months from the start many stations. of implementation. Talk about flipping a switch!

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LEED Certification Success Stories

Green Design Standards On Atlanta’s west side sits MARTA’s Brady Paratransit Facility, home to MARTA’s fleet of over 180 Paratransit buses. The Brady When resources allow, MARTA is Facility was completely rebuilt and reopened in 2016. Soon after strategically renovating existing facilities construction, the Brady Facility achieved LEED Silver Certification. and building new ones to meet the The construction utilizes green practices such as the use of growing demands of being maintenance equipment designed for low water consumption, a world-class regional transit provider. recycled and low-emitting building materials, and the use of green These renovations give us a great cleaning systems and supplies. opportunity to consider and incorporate best practices and green design The Pedestrian Bridge at Rail Station’s North Entrance standards within our infrastructure. provides riders with easier access to one of MARTA’s major stations MARTA has applied Leadership in in one of Atlanta’s most popular economic and commercial centers Energy and Environmental Design along the Red Line. The project used best practices to achieve energy (LEED) standards in the design of new efficiency by maximizing daylighting and using LED light fixtures. Also, facilities, and implements similar the materials used in the construction emphasized conservation and sustainable design principles in the repurposed materials with a high percentage of recycled content. renovation of existing facilities. LEED is used as a standard to promote green buildings that are environmentally MARTA’s commitment to incorporating responsible and resource-efficient green design considerations is also throughout each building’s life cycle: on display at the newly completed from siting to design, construction, Integrated Operations Center (IOC), operation, maintenance, renovation, which will soon house the operational and deconstruction. functions of MARTA’s bus, rail, and paratransit departments. It also serves as an emergency operations center for MARTA’s Police department. strategically The IOC used sustainable design considerations, such as LED lighting, high efficiency heating, ventilation, and renovating air conditioning (HVAC) and low volatile existing facilities and organic compound (VOC) materials.

buildingnew ones

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Renewable Energy

MARTA is always looking for opportunities for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction to push the envelope on sustainability; if we (TIGGER) grant from the Federal Transit can partner with local and federal agencies Administration (FTA). The $10.8 million grant to reach new heights, all the better. In provided full funding for an array of 4,903 2009, MARTA successfully secured that energy-efficient solar panels at MARTA’s Laredo year’s largest federal Transit Investments Bus Facility, which were installed in 2011.

energy savings in first annual savings on year of operation: electrical bills: 4,545m $100k British Thermal Units based on the electricity (MMBtu), an amount of we use from the panels and energy that could power that which we sell back 118 homes for an entire year to our electric utility

The project also significantly cuts our annual fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at Laredo, enhances our work environment, and has created additional jobs in the Atlanta metropolitan region (during construction phase).

In addition to generating clean, renewable energy, the steel structure provides shade for approximately 220 buses with a perforated canopy and LED lights to accommodate the 24/7 operations of the facility. The shade helps reduce the amount of air conditioning needed to cool the buses as they start up during the hot Atlanta summer months.

10 INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX environment conserving resources and being good stewards INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

As the 9th largest transit agency by ridership in the nation6, we are proud of our size and our ability to cover such a large geographic area. But that does not mean we need to have a large environmental footprint. In fact, MARTA has many ongoing initiatives to reduce our waste, limit our GHG emissions, and be more efficient with our water usage. MARTA is addressing environmental stewardship at all levels:

Providing our employees with informational materials and training to better recycle and reduce our waste

Implementing Authority-wide initiatives to eliminate single- use plastic water bottles

Improving each facility’s overall environmental management program

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Environmental Management System MARTA is one of the first An Environmental Management System independently certified to the ISO (EMS) is a set of management policies, 14001:2004 Standard in March 2014.7 public transit agencies processes, and procedures that allow The EMS was then expanded to the to be an ISO 14001:2015 registered an organization to assess, control, and Laredo Bus Maintenance Facility and reduce the environmental impact of its the Headquarters Print Shop, which multisite organization activities, products, and services. An were both certified to ISO 14001:2015, EMS helps an organization address its along with a re-certification for Armour regulatory demands in a systematic Yard to the new standard in 2017. and cost-effective manner. This is part Following these successes, MARTA’s As of late 2017, MARTA is officially commitment to its community, of MARTA’s proactive approach to EMS grew to add South Yard Rail an ISO 14001:2015 certified multi-site customers, and employees with an reduce the risk of noncompliance and Maintenance Facility and Brady organization. With this certification, environmentally responsible and improve environmental practices that Mobility Maintenance Facility. These MARTA is one of the first among peer sustainable business model. MARTA benefit both employees and the public. facilities are now in the process of transit agencies to have implemented accomplishes this commitment being certified to ISO 14001:2015. a 14001:2015 multi-site management through our management system MARTA implemented an EMS in MARTA is currently planning to expand system towards achieving high levels framework that drives continual 2011 for our Armour Yard Rail Car the scope of the EMS to Perry Bus of environmental performance. This improvement in operating efficiency Maintenance Facility, which was Maintenance and the IOC. certification exemplifies MARTA’s and environmental performance.

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Waste Reduction and Recycling

From what started organically in Through various separate vendors a single building in 2010, MARTA’s MARTA also recycles scrap metal, paper, Recycling Program has grown into used oil, bus and railcar glass windows, a full-blown Authority-wide initiative batteries, tires, electronic waste, and encompassing multiple waste streams ink cartridges. Some of these data are in our offices and at our facilities. presented in the figures below.

MARTA uses a single-stream recycling process in which recyclables— T T R M including paper, cardboard, plastic, MRT and aluminum—are placed in a single bin and then separated at recycling W facilities. MARTA’s single-stream recyclables tonnage is based on R standard estimation8 from our waste vendors; however, we continue to become more accurate in our accounting of our waste streams and how much waste is being diverted from landfills.

T R MRT

ENR TR T REE T ER CY MSW W SS S M P E W CY CY CY CY CY CY

T 11,423 309 404 930 358 8

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average annual revenue water filling from recycling In one of several initiatives that create of this initiative, multiple benefits, MARTA eliminated MARTA provided 70 stations scrap metal: the use of paper towels throughout all employees with installed the Authority’s restrooms and replaced refillable stainless steel them with 290 high efficiency, low water bottles to give employees a safe energy hand dryers.10 The savings for and easy way to stay hydrated on the $26k the Authority was immediate, with a job, while promoting the elimination of 141k+ fewer major reduction in the purchasing and plastic bottles and the cost-savings Historically, MARTA has generated use of paper towels and the resulting that the Authority would recognize. The plastic bottles revenue from proper disposal of used reduction of trash production and entire program paid for itself during the purchased oil and proper recycling of scrap metal. waste sent to landfills. With an ROI first year of implementation, and will Used oil recycling revenue is highly of 1.4 years, the Authority saves over continue to save the Authority money dependent on the market price of oil. $80,000 per year in eliminated cost with the elimination of purchasing As the price of oil declined in 2015, of paper towels and maintenance. bottled water. By giving employees MARTA also disposes of all of our revenue decreased. Subsequently, This Authority-wide initiative was reusable bottles, the program has hazardous waste carefully and follows the price of oil decreased to such an completed in 2015. avoided the purchase of over 141,000 all environmental regulations to protect extent that used oil recycling has plastic bottles as of 2015. MARTA our employees and the environment. not provided MARTA with any installed 70 water filling stations at For example, fluorescent light bulbs are revenue since 2016, although eliminating paper towels various operating facilities and offices. used abundantly throughout MARTA’s MARTA has never ceased to facilities and on MARTA’s railcars. properly dispose of used oil. in restrooms MARTA implemented a number of While many of these are low-energy- Scrap metal revenue ranges has resulted in initiatives to reduce office-related paper use light bulbs, new fluorescent bulbs each year dependent on a savings of use, as this is a major waste stream contain a tiny amount of mercury, a market value per metal, and the $80k+ for MARTA. This included requiring dangerous element that can poison quantity and type of metals that per year double-sided printing to be the default the groundwater supply if used bulbs MARTA collects. The average annual option on all computers and printers at are not disposed of properly. In all revenue from scrap metal recycling Headquarters and offices. of MARTA’s facilities, the Authority from 2012-2017 is $26,010. These Similarly striving to achieve multiple implements the Lamp Tracker Program recycling initiatives emphasize not only benefits, in an effort to reduce to safely recycle used lamps. This the cost savings from avoided landfill waste and continue the Authority’s MARTA disposes of program allows for spent fluorescent fees along with revenue generation, but sustainability efforts, MARTA installed hazardous waste light bulbs to be collected and boxed also environmental protection through water filling stations at all non-revenue in specific containers to be counted, diverting waste, and the community operating facilities to eliminate the documented, processed, and tracked benefits of keeping local watersheds use of plastic water bottles. The water to a proper recycling facility. and ecosystems clean—further filling stations use an energy-efficient carefully emphasizing the triple bottom line refrigeration system and effectively and follows all regulations of MARTA’s sustainability program. remove impurities. As an initial step

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Water Usage

MARTA has monitored resource at bus wash bays in order to treat and usage since 2012, including water reuse for additional washing. All told, (see figure, left). Roughly half of our wash systems reuse between our wash systems MARTA’s water consumption occurs 85–100 percent of water used to reuse anywhere from at our bus and rail maintenance wash MARTA’s buses and trains. This facilities, followed by our offices and practice saves an estimated 3,500,000 our stations. gallons of water each year that would otherwise be drawn from the City’s 85-100 of water MARTA has looked at ways to reduce potable water system.11 MARTA also used to wash our buses and trains its water consumption by reusing regularly targets water efficiency water at many of its facilities. At upgrades, including improvements MRT the Armour Yard Rail Maintenance to the train wash systems and Facility, collection tanks at the rail water treatment plant operations, M M M M M car wash station capture used wash maintenance and repairs to steam M water and stormwater, which is then boilers and underground piping. treated and reused for additional rail

G car washing. Similarly, at MARTA’s Perry and Laredo Bus Maintenance Facilities, MARTA collects wash water

Asset Management System

MARTA’s approach to asset utilization and maintenance The Asset Management Policy (ED- to communicate to management, management is based on the of the asset; through to the PO-0001) sets the overall statement employees and contractors, MARTA’s pillars of sustainability, integrated decommissioning and/or disposal on the organization’s commitment commitment to maintaining all risk management, and life cycle of the asset. With proactive life to asset management and continual Authority assets in a state of good management. Life cycle management cycle management, MARTA can improvement, and provides executive repair with emphasis on safety, at MARTA aims to track an asset from reduce risk and exposure, improve level direction of expectations operations, sustainability and conception, creation, acquisition, service delivery, and determine and requirements. The purpose of continuous improvement in asset or enhancement of the asset; the return on investment. the Asset Management Policy is management and asset performance.

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community supporting and improving our surroundings INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

It’s not enough to say we serve over 500,000 members per weekday in the Atlanta metropolitan region with safe and reliable transit.12 Nor is it adequate to say that as the region’s leading provider of alternative transportation and as the only multi-modal transit system in the state, we are sufficiently doing our part to help the region’s environment and traffic issues by taking cars off the road and thus improving the overall air quality of the region.

We also cannot rest on the fact that members we provide over 4,500 quality full-time 500k and part-time jobs directly to members served per weekday of the Atlanta community and support over 24,800 jobs throughout Atlanta.13 quality full-time and As a leader in our community, we are part-time jobs provided proud of the role we currently play, and 4.5k+ we are motivated to do even more. At MARTA, we strive every day to be an active member of our community. 24.8k+jobs Our employees and our riders live and supported throughout Atlanta work in the areas in which we operate, so it is of the utmost importance for MARTA to take care of and give back continually striving to the place we call Home. MARTA to be an has many active community programs and partnerships that give us the opportunity to further connect with and active member support the people and neighborhoods of our community that make MARTA who we are.

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Transit-Oriented Development Connected Bike Mobility

MARTA is proud of the role that we can Where MARTA can’t take you door play in local sustainable development to door, we are working hard to and connecting communities across accommodate a multimodal trip. the region. Anticipated population MARTA has installed new bike kiosks growth in Atlanta can be better at 37 rail stations (through fiscal year accommodated near existing 2017). Each biking kiosk includes infrastructure through increased new bike racks, fix-it stands and tire Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), pumps, enabling 500 bikes to be furthering MARTA’s role in supporting parked throughout the system at any the city’s overall sustainability goals. given time. In addition, all MARTA buses are outfitted with bike racks to A TOD is a pedestrian-friendly, mixed- accommodate cyclists who cannot used community that minimizes vehicle access rail stations. dependency by increasing access to transit for residents and workers. MARTA also partnered with the City of MARTA is pursuing TOD in an effort Atlanta’s Bike Share program, starting to increase ridership, generate new pedestrian-friendly with bike share racks that hold ten revenue and to support both local mixed-use communities bikes at or near selected stations. community development and regional There are now bike share racks at economic development. five MARTA stations (Arts Center, Peachtree Center, West End, King One example of a MARTA TOD is the Station. MARTA, in partnership with Memorial, and Inman Park) and within , which is the cities of Atlanta and Decatur, has two blocks of seven additional MARTA surrounded by apartment buildings, finalized recommendations for TOD in stations (Five Points, Civic Center, businesses, and office buildings— and around the East Lake Station. Midtown, Garnett, Georgia State, including MARTA’s own headquarters. Buckhead, and Lenox). This allows MARTA is expanding our TOD program MARTA is also currently in the passengers to continue their journeys to multiple locations throughout the planning phases to help create a low- throughout the city on various forms of system. Construction is well underway impact shipping container “village” sustainable transportation. at , Avondale Station that will offer attractive, affordable and Edgewood/Candler Park Station. space to small businesses and Progress continues to be made on entrepreneurs at our H.E. Holmes rail newly installed TOD projects at Arts Center Station, station. A goal of the MLK Innovation , Lindbergh Village is to spark interest in TOD at bike kiosks Center Station and Hamilton E. Holmes the stations in this corridor. 37

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Fresh MARTA Market

MARTA is also working to connect communities to local, healthy, and sustainable food options. The Fresh MARTA Market program started in 2015 and provides fresh produce kiosks at our rail stations. In 2017, the program expanded to four rail stations with the intention of targeting communities with less access to affordable fruits and vegetables (H.E. Holmes, College Artbound Public Art Program Park, West End, and Five Points). MARTA launched a new arts like a destination in themselves. MARTA partners with the Atlanta program (Artbound) in 2017 aimed at With our partner, Midtown Alliance, Community Food Bank, Community aesthetically enhancing and integrating we are currently planning a Farmers Market, Southwest Atlanta Program (SNAP) to purchase nutritious art throughout the rail system. MARTA large installation at our Midtown Growers Cooperative, and Organix foods at transit-accessible locations. is engaging the region’s diverse artistic Rail Station to include murals, Matters to manage these markets. Our program is planning to expand in community inclusive of visual art, interactive seating, shade, and Consumers can use cash, credit, 2018 due to a recently awarded United dance, theater, and live music with a solar phone charging station. Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) or States Department of Agriculture the goal of having our stations seem Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (USDA) grant.

MARTA Employees’ Charity Club

For over 25 years, MARTA has making MARTA employees one of community with over 6,000 hours of been serving the community, not Atlanta’s major contributors for both community service through food and $600k only to address transportation and Atlanta and surrounding communities. shelter initiatives. In addition, for the raised annually environmental challenges, but also The MARTA Employees’ Charity Club last 38 years, the club has organized through our community and charitable is responsible for linking employees to a holiday drive for low-income parents. hours of efforts. The MARTA Employees’ non-profit organizations and resources During the 2015 holiday season, more community Charity Club has raised an estimated that provide goods and services to than 3,600 employees (or 75%) of $600,000 annually from both employee low-income communities. We pride MARTA employees donated money 6k+ service donations and volunteer efforts, ourselves in providing the Atlanta to the drive.

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climate mitigating and adapting to climate change INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

MARTA recognizes that the climate is changing. As a transit agency, we can play a unique and important role in supporting Atlanta in reducing regional GHG emissions.

We also acknowledge that MARTA can do a better job at reducing our own GHG emissions, and so we regularly update our carbon footprint to measure and monitor our emissions, and to identify opportunities to improve efficiency.

we play a unique and important in supporting Atlanta in reducing role regional emissions.

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions E E MATA

MARTA initially completed its first S D E Carbon Footprint in 2008, and has S I E e updated its footprint for 2012, 2014, 2 2015, and 2016. Our 2016 emissions C T D E were 195,814 MT CO2e, which was MT Co 44,410 MT CO2e less than our 2008 baseline emissions. While MARTA’s ridership (measured in Passenger Miles Travelled, or PMT) decreased by 8% between 2008 and 2016, MARTA reduced its GHG emissions per PMT E The decrease in CO2e emissions from MARTA is proud of the significant role by 11%, indicating that MARTA’s CNG 2012 to 2016 may be attributed to a we play in the Atlanta metropolitan transit services became less carbon decrease in older diesel buses and an region in reducing GHG emissions D intensive during that time period (see increase in new Compressed Natural through providing alternative figure, below). The majority of our 2016 G Gas (CNG) buses, as MARTA has transportation options that help emissions are a result of moving people S continued to modernize our fleet. This to decrease the number of cars around Atlanta, which is our central N G fleet ratio change is accompanied by on the roads. MARTA services mission as a public transit agency a decrease in diesel fuel usage for both reduced regional GHG emissions (see figure, right). revenue and non-revenue vehicles by keeping 638,624 MT of CO2e out by 23%. The emissions decrease of the atmosphere in 2016.15 This is could also be due to a decrease equal to the annual GHG emissions C C E I in stationary gas combustion and from 136,750 passenger vehicles refrigerant purchases. The decrease or 1,565,254,902 miles driven by 0.652 0.643 in emissions from 2012 to 2016 can passenger vehicles.16 An Atlanta 0.616 also be attributable to changes to the Regional Commission (ARC) report Environmental Protection Agency’s on GHG emissions in Atlanta’s e/PMT 2 0.575 0.580 (EPA) electricity emissions factors for neighborhoods concluded that the SERC South sub-region. Emission neighborhoods with a MARTA station

lbs Co factors for CO2 and N2O most likely produce 60% less GHG emissions decreased due to the region’s shift per residence than in neighborhoods from coal to cleaner energy options, without a MARTA station.17 such as natural gas.14 that’s like keeping cars off the road! MARTA keeps 630k+MT CO2e 136k+ out of Atlanta’s atmosphere every year 23 INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

GHG Emission Reduction Initiatives

In an effort to reduce our emissions, by 5% from our fleet ratio in 2012 (70% MARTA has established a program CNG). In addition, the current facility to increase the CNG part of the fleet upgrades at our Brady and Hamilton by replacing older diesel buses. Facilities focus around our clean fuel incorporating CNG buses have significantly vehicles initiatives and further put CNG lower emissions of nitrogen oxide infrastructure in place to help us with our adaptation (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and transition to an entire CNG revenue fleet hydrocarbon (HC) than the older diesel in the near future. buses that they replace. According strategies to EPA’s MOVES emissions model, a In an effort to both decrease area to make MARTA more 2012 CNG bus emits 80% less NOx, emissions and provide ease of 99% less PM, and 100% less HC than transportation for our employees, all a model year 2000 diesel bus.18 In MARTA employees are provided free resilient addition to these benefits, CNG is more transit passes. We encourage our to future climate cost-effective for bus vehicle miles than employees to use MARTA for both their asset management system can be petroleum fueling, providing MARTA work commute and for personal travel. conditions used to support strategic investment with important cost savings over time. decision-making to respond to climate change impacts.19 As part of this In 2009, MARTA initiative, MARTA and Georgia Tech received the Clean considered potential vulnerability Cities Lifetime Climate Adaptation to climate change and identified Appreciation Award that MARTA’s service area may face from the United States Even with continued mitigation efforts, increased flooding, longer heat waves, Department of Energy MARTA recognizes that some aspects of droughts, and high wind events. We (DOE) for its partnership climate change may already be occurring also considered potential adaptation with the City of Atlanta and may pose a threat to MARTA and strategies to incorporate into our to significantly reduce our passengers now and in the future. asset management program to make petroleum consumption in As such, we undertook a study in 2013 MARTA more resilient considering the transportation sector. to consider what threats climate change future conditions. This includes may pose to MARTA so as to better looking at our vehicles, our facilities This award recognized identify how to reduce our vulnerabilities and infrastructure, and also the areas MARTA for having served as a and increase our resiliency. surrounding our stations. pioneer and industry leader since 1993 in the use of clean CNG buses In partnership with the Georgia Institute The lessons learned from this study will and technology. In 2017, MARTA had of Technology, MARTA was awarded be used not only to guide MARTA into 423 CNG buses, comprising 75% of an FTA Grant through a competitive the future, but also as considerations our entire bus fleet. This has increased process to study how a transit agency’s for other transit agencies.

24 INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX vision forward what’s next

Whether we are providing With recent service expansion and increasingly better service to continual plans to further expand service our customers, or reducing our territory, we recognize this is an environmental footprint, continual exciting opportunity for MARTA improvement is what we at MARTA improvement to grow our physical footprint strive for in all aspects of our is what we strive for while maintaining or reducing our while all of this management and operations. In terms environmental footprint. MARTA has of our sustainability program, we are committed to reduction targets for will certainly be proud of how far we have come in MARTA has a number of exciting GHG emissions, waste tonnage, water such a short amount of time, but we initiatives on the horizon, such as usage, and diesel fuel consumption a challenge, recognize there are plenty of ways an increase in Transit Oriented through our involvement with APTA. in which we can grow and improve. Development in our communities, the While all of this will certainly be a we’re excited One of our main focuses in the next addition of more farmers markets at challenge, it is one we are excited to year is to better promote our efforts our stations, the introduction of mobile take head-on. to tackle it and accomplishments both internally ticketing systems to our passengers, to our employees and externally to and the expansion of our EMS We are confident that with continued our customers. By promoting our program. We will continue to look for focus on our sustainability initiatives, we head-on sustainability program, we’re hoping to opportunities to improve efficiency in will be able to provide improved service better engage stakeholders throughout the way we use natural resources as to our customers and communities, the region on our work and set the bar we further measure and monitor our while simultaneously being a better even higher for us in the future. waste, water, and emissions. steward to our environment.

25 INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX appendix

Footnotes

1 ARC Population Estimates 8 Calculated using estimated 35 lbs. 13 MARTA At A Glance of recyclables per cubic yard of 2 MARTA At A Glance dumpster and a dumpster utilization 14 US Energy Information of 80% at the time of pickup. Administration 3 Airports Council International 2016 Passenger data 9 Wood is sent to the landfill under 15 Value represents emissions MARTA’s current waste contract. displaced due to mode shift, 4 Carbon dioxide equivalent is a congestion relief, and land use. measure most used to compare 10 Aside from some heavy greenhouse gases based upon their maintenance facilities where towels 16 EPA’s Greenhouse Gas global warming potential. are necessary for employees. Equivalencies Calculator

5 http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/ 11 Average estimate taken from total 17 Atlanta Regional Commission’s pressreleases/2015/Pages/151112_ water usage at Perry and Laredo Understanding Climate change and Sustainability.aspx (reuse bus washing facilities) vs. the Impact of Community Design Hamilton (non-reuse bus washing on GHG Emissions (2014) Study 6 APTA 2017 Fact book facility) from CY2013 to CY2016 18 2012 Clear Air Task Force 7 MARTA Environmental 12 MARTA At A Glance Management System (EMS) 19 https://smartech.gatech.edu/ handle/1853/47649

26 INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

Acronyms Glossary

APTA American Public Transportation American Public Transportation Association (APTA): Greenhouse Gas (GHG): Gaseous constituents of the Association A non-profit organization whose goal is to advance atmosphere which absorb and emit radiation at specific ARC Atlanta Regional Commission public transportation. MARTA is a member of this wavelengths, which causes the greenhouse effect. CNG Compressed natural gas organization. Water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide

CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent (N2O), methane (CH4), and ozone (O3) are the primary CY Calendar year Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e): The standard unit greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. (IPCC) for measuring greenhouse gas emissions by expressing DOE Department of Energy each greenhouse gas in terms of CO2. Greenhouse International Organization for Standardization EBT Electronic Benefits Transfer gases, e.g. N2O and CH4, are multiplied by a global (ISO): An independent, non-governmental international EMS Environmental Management System warming potential to calculate their emissions in terms standard-setting body composed of representatives EPA Environmental Protection Agency of CO2e. from various national standards organizations. FTA Federal Transit Administration GHG Greenhouse gas Climate change: A change in the state of the climate Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design that can be identified (e.g., by using statistical tests) (LEED): Independent verification green building rating HC Hydrocarbon by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its system of a building or neighborhood’s green features, HVAC Heating, ventilation, and air conditioninag properties and that persists for an extended period, allowing for the design, construction, operations and typically decades or longer. Climate change may be due maintenance of resource-efficient, high-performing, IOC Integrated Operations Center to natural internal processes or external forcings, or to healthy, cost-effective buildings. (USGBC) LED Light Emitting Diode persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of LEED Leadership in Energy the atmosphere or in land use. (IPCC) Light emitting diode (LED): Lighting products in which and Environmental Design an electrical current passes through a microchip, which MARTA Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and Supplemental illuminates the tiny light sources called LEDs and the Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Monthly result is visible light. LED’s produce light approximately MMBtu Million British Thermal Units supplements for low-income families to purchase 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. MT Metric tons nutritious food provided by the government. (USDA) (Energy Star) NOx nitrogen oxide PMT Passenger Miles Travelled Environmental Management System (EMS): Passenger Miles Traveled: The cumulative sum of the PMT Particulate matter A program based on the ISO 14001:2015 standards distances ridden by each passenger. A commonly used ROI Return on Investment that help MARTA manage environmental impacts and normalizing factor for sustainability metrics at public demonstrate our commitment to the environment. transit agencies. (FTA) SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TIGGER Transit Investments for Greenhouse Transit-Oriented Development: Creation of compact, Gas and Energy Reduction walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities TOD Transit-Oriented Development centered around transit systems. USDA United States Department of Agriculture VOC Volatile organic compound

27 INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

Internal Sustainability 2016 Poster

28 INTRO BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY CLIMATE VISION FORWARD APPENDIX

Detailed Sustainability Data

EA S M R SS R U O R E W R R M S W D P P E E W S E W E P N P

P N D F C N G DGE U G P

E D M E S E

E E CY 2017 E P Carbon Footprint E M S will be completed E C R in FY 2019 E L U

E D E

A P MT R MT B MT P

L D 29