DDOT now accepting applications for Transportation Interns

Transportation infrastructure within Washington, DC contributes to the urban heat island effect affecting the city. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) aims to investigate heat island cooling strategies within the public right-of-way (ROW). Currently, DDOT Urban Forestry Division uses heat mapping to target and guide tree plantings in the city and Infrastructure Project Management Division has several green infrastructure projects throughout the city. Tree plantings and increasing green areas is one method to decrease the urban heat island effect. Additionally, the District Department of Energy and Environment is conducting a study that looks at three sites to evaluate the impact of different methods of reducing urban heat island. The study includes alternatives largely on private property (green roofs, green walls, etc.) but also included alternatives within the public ROW (green infrastructure, tree plantings, etc.).

The project includes researching heat island cooling strategies applicable to the transportation ROW including both currently utilized strategies and new technologies. The research will include evaluating the long-term cost/benefit of different strategies and designing a research proposal to implement pilot projects. Cooling strategies evaluated will include combinations of technologies to gain the maximum benefit relative to cost and long-term performance with consideration for standard maintenance practices. The research proposal should include methodology for choosing sites citywide, evaluation techniques and parameters to quantify impact of implemented strategies, methodology to maximize benefits with a combination of strategies and technologies, implementation details, and refined cost estimate for pilot implementation/monitoring.  

Intern Skills":

Undergraduate or graduate students in environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, public policy, landscape architecture, or urban planning are preferred. The intern should possess knowledge of research, green infrastructure/low impact development, stormwater management, with the ability to understand technical elements of cooling strategies. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential, as are strong analytical abilities. Relevant research experience with stormwater management, green infrastructure, water quality monitoring, or transportation project implementation is preferred. Interns should also possess a working knowledge of Microsoft applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.