Download - Planning and Environment Linkages Program
Planning and Environment
Linkages Program
OARC January 22, 2010OARC January 22, 2010Noel Mehlo – FHWA Ohio DivisionNoel Mehlo – FHWA Ohio Division
FHWA has published FHWA has published A Guide to Measuring Progress in Linking Transportation Planning and Environmental Analysis to assist transportation agencies in to assist transportation agencies in developing their own programs to measure developing their own programs to measure the successes of PEL-related activities.the successes of PEL-related activities.
http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/meas_progress.asp
The Planning & Environment Linkage Program guide provides a framework for establishing measures that transportation agencies can utilize to develop their own
measurement programs
Integrated approach to transportation decision-making
23 CFR 450 and 318 encourages the integration of the information, products and decisions developed during transportation planning into the NEPA process including:
These types of activities were supported These types of activities were supported by the changes in SAFETEA-LU 6001 and by the changes in SAFETEA-LU 6001 and the subsequent update to the planning the subsequent update to the planning regulations that require consultation with regulations that require consultation with resource agencies.resource agencies.
FHWA, ODOT and the resource agencies FHWA, ODOT and the resource agencies are actively working on these efforts.are actively working on these efforts.
How are transportation planning studies How are transportation planning studies integrated into environmental and NEPA integrated into environmental and NEPA
analysis?analysis? FHWA and FTA must be able to stand
behind the overall soundness and credibility of analysis conducted and decisions made during the transportation planning process, which uses the "3-C planning principles, if these decisions are incorporated into a NEPA document, directly or by reference.
Why link transportation planning to Why link transportation planning to environmental processes?environmental processes?
State and local agencies can achieve significant benefits by incorporating environmental and community values into transportation decisions early in planning and carrying these considerations through project development and delivery. Benefits include: Relationship BuildingRelationship Building Process EfficienciesProcess Efficiencies On-the-ground OutcomesOn-the-ground Outcomes
Performance MeasuresPerformance Measures
Performance Measures aim to answer Performance Measures aim to answer questions about whether the performance questions about whether the performance of the transportation system (or economy, of the transportation system (or economy, air quality, etc.) is getting better or worse air quality, etc.) is getting better or worse over time; and whether transportation over time; and whether transportation investments are correlated or linked to investments are correlated or linked to stated goals and outcomes. stated goals and outcomes.
Performance Measures Performance Measures cont.cont.
Examples of performance measures or Examples of performance measures or metrics could be based on or include:metrics could be based on or include:
AccessibilityAccessibility
MobilityMobility
Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development
Quality of LifeQuality of Life
SafetySafety
Framework For Measuring Framework For Measuring ProgressProgress
Step 1: Define program goals and objectives
Step 2: Develop a set of metrics to demonstrate results toward reaching the defined goals and objectives
Step 3: Assess baseline and develop targets
Step 4: Measure and report results
Why is this important ?Why is this important ?
The use of performance-based measures by transportation agencies is a growing trend that is expected to continue.
While most of the traditional measures used by transportation agencies focus on system conditions or operations there has been little application to tracking the successes of integrated planning and environmental stewardship efforts
Why is this important Why is this important (cont.)(cont.) ? ?
Establishing metrics related to integrated planning and environmental stewardship will allow transportation agencies to demonstrate that they are committed to monitoring their progress in integrating environmental considerations throughout the transportation decision-making process.
ConclusionConclusionThis guide is intended to serve as a resource for transportation agencies interested in measuring their
successes in integrating transportation planning and environmental analysis.
Focus on the measures most relevant to your situation and needs.
Use different types of measures.
Use versatile data sources.
Use versatile measures.
Plan on making Planning and Environmental Linkages a routine part of how you do business.
Questions??Questions?? Contact information FHWA Ohio Division:Contact information FHWA Ohio Division:
Marcus Wilner, Director of Program DevelopmentMarcus Wilner, Director of Program [email protected], (614) 280-6824, (614) 280-6824
Dave Snyder, Environmental Program ManagerDave Snyder, Environmental Program Manager [email protected], (614) [email protected], (614) 280-6852 Frank Burkett, Senior Frank Burkett, Senior Transportation PlannerTransportation Planner
[email protected], (614) [email protected], (614) 280-6838 Leigh Oesterling, Air Quality SpecialistLeigh Oesterling, Air Quality Specialist [email protected], (614) [email protected], (614) 280-6837 Noel Mehlo, Transportation PlannerNoel Mehlo, Transportation Planner
[email protected], (614) [email protected], (614) 280-6841
For more information:For more information:
The Transportation Planning Process: Key Issues A Briefing Book The Transportation Planning Process: Key Issues A Briefing Book for Transportation Decision-makers, Officials, and Stafffor Transportation Decision-makers, Officials, and Staff http://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/briefingbook/bbook.htm#9BBhttp://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/briefingbook/bbook.htm#9BB
FHWA Planning and Environment Linkages:FHWA Planning and Environment Linkages: www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp#benefits www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp#benefits
FHWA:FHWA: http://nepa.fhwa.dot.gov/ReNepa/ReNepa.nsf/homehttp://nepa.fhwa.dot.gov/ReNepa/ReNepa.nsf/home
www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlngwww.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng
FTA: FTA: www.fta.dot.gov/planning/planning_environment_5222.html www.fta.dot.gov/planning/planning_environment_5222.html