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  2. G3 Program

Modeling Tools that Support the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Approach

There are a variety of free modeling tools available to help guide you towards using the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) approach to incorporate green streets and innovative stormwater management techniques in your community. Modeling tools support planning and design decisions on a range of scales from setting a green infrastructure target for an entire watershed to designing a green infrastructure practice for a particular site or location, such as a green street. Outputs that are particularly helpful include:

  • runoff volume,
  • runoff rate,
  • pollutant loading, and
  • cost.

Some models can predict the water quality and water quantity impacts of green infrastructure approaches. Start with simpler, less resource-intensive models and advance into more complex models that require more time and expertise.

Tools

  1. EPA's Water Quality Scorecard - This EPA product is a tool that communities can use to collaboratively identify the barriers to green infrastructure in local codes and ordinances. The scorecard guides municipal staff through 230 policies, codes, and incentives that could be adapted to promote sustainable stormwater management. The scorecard also provides extensive references and case studies.
  2. EPA's National Stormwater Calculator - A stormwater management model (SWMM) based desktop application that estimates the impact of land cover change and green infrastructure controls on stormwater runoff from a selected site. Estimates of runoff volume and frequency are based on local soil, topographic and climate data, and user-provided land cover and BMP data.
  3. EPA's Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) with LID Controls - SWMM is used throughout the world for planning, analysis and design related to stormwater runoff, combined and sanitary sewers, and other drainage systems in urban areas. There are many applications for drainage systems in non-urban areas as well.  SWMM 5 has recently been extended to model the hydrologic performance of specific types of low impact development (LID) controls.  The LID controls that the user can choose include the following seven green infrastructure practices: permeable pavement, rain gardens, green roofs, street planters, rain barrels, infiltration trenches, and vegetative swales.
  4. Watershed Resources Registry  - An interactive mapping tool to characterize and prioritize natural resource management opportunities using a Watershed Approach.  The objective of the Registry is to map natural resource areas that are a priority for preservation and to identify sites best-suited for ecosystem preservation and restoration.     
  5. i-Tree Streets  - Focuses on the ecosystem services and structure of a municipality’s street tree population. Uses a sample or complete inventory to quantify and put a dollar value on trees’ annual environmental and aesthetic benefits.
  6. Low Impact Development Urban Design Tools Website  - This site provides watershed managers with a new set of tools and techniques that can be used to meet regulatory and receiving water protection program goals for urban retrofits, re-development projects, and new development sites.

To access additional models that address stormwater runoff, cost, air quality, and energy consumption visit EPA's Green Infrastucture Modeling Tools webpage.

G3 Program

  • The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Initiative and Approach
  • Learn About Green Streets
  • Green Street Practices
  • Benefits of a Green Street
  • Why You Should Consider Green Stormwater Infrastructure for Your Community
  • Green Jobs in Your Community
  • Green Streets and Community Open Space
  • Getting to Green - Faster and Cheaper
    • Faster, Cheaper, Greener Webcast Series
    • December 2014 Sustainable Financing Forum for Faster, Cheaper, Greener Urban Stormwater Retrofits
      • December 2014 Sustainable Stormwater Financing Forum Summary Notes
    • December 2015 Community-Based Public-Private Partnership (CBP3) Sustainable Stormwater Infrastructure Summit
      • December 2015 CBP3 Sustainable Stormwater Infrastructure Summit Summary Notes
    • Financing Green Infrastructure - Is a Community-Based Public-Private Partnerships (CBP3) Right for You?
      • Prince George's County Maryland Clean Water Partnership
      • Public-Private Partnerships Beneficial for Implementing Green Infrastructure
      • Financing Integrated Green Stormwater Infrastructure
  • Develop Your Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Vision
  • Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Integrated Planning
  • Design and Build Approaches for Green Streets
  • Operation and Maintenance Considerations for Green Infrastructure
  • Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program
    • Contact Us About the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Program
    • G3 Case Studies
    • G3 Grant Fact Sheets
  • Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Funding Opportunities
  • Green Street, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Webcasts, Podcasts, Blogs, and Listservs
  • Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Guides and Publications
    • Storm Smart Schools
    • Storm Smart Cities
  • Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Webcast Series
  • Modeling Tools that Support the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Approach
  • Greening of Decatur Street
  • CSO130 Green Infrastructure Project
  • Central Louisville Green Infrastructure Partnership
  • Apply to Become a G3 Featured Community
    • G3 Featured Community: The Town of Forest Heights, Maryland
  • Collaborate with Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Partners
  • Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) News Articles
Contact Us About the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Program
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on December 16, 2024
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