Task 1.1: Conduct a national web cast/webinar to educate environmental staff on the planning process and the planning staff on the environmental process, and discuss the consideration of environmental factors in planning and linkages between these processes.

Showcase existing Practitioners’ Handbooks on these topics. Engage a working group in guiding preparation of the web casts, including speakers, technology used and structure of the web cast.

Task 1.2: Manage and promote the Center Technical Assistance Program (CTAP).

Management tasks include:

• Review submissions from the 18 Center technical experts regarding updates and enhancements to the topical sections on the Center website and make recommendations to the Center about which recommendations to implement.
• Develop solicitation for additional Center experts in the fields of GIS/Environmental Information Management, energy, climate change and sustainability. Distribute solicitation, collect responses, organize state DOT and FHWA review teams to rate and recommend experts to add to the technical assistance program.
• Facilitate the development of CTAP scope of work and contracts between AASHTO and state Departments of Transportation for the CTAP work.
• Provide general management of the CTAP program, develop a plan to create more awareness amongst the transportation and environmental community about the CTAP program and assist in executing this plan.
• Coordinate activities with the FHWA Resource Center.

Task 1.3: Taking the High Road, The Environmental and Social Contributions of America’s Highway Programs Report Update.

The Center will provide an update to this 2002 report to provide the most current state DOT practices, program and projects that provide environmental and social contributions. The update will be based on a review of the latest reports and statistics, including the recent FHWA research report on environmental stewardship. The update will include introductory text with a focus on Context Sensitive Solutions, describing how DOTs now consider environmental and social issues as a way of doing business. This CSS-link will be tied in with each of the individual chapters:

• Transportation Enhancements
• Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources, Including Tribal Consultation
• Recycling and Waste Management
• Air Quality
• Context-Sensitive Solutions
• Brownfields Redevelopment Land Use
• Bicycle and Pedestrian
• Wetlands and Water Quality
• Wildlife and Ecosystems
• Noise Abatement
• Scenic Byways
• Vegetation Management

The report also will incorporate discussions of state DOT contributions related to energy, sustainability, EMS, and human health issues. In addition, the chapters will discuss how transportation agencies have created partnerships with resource and permitting agencies to improve missions of both.

A draft report will be circulated to AASHTO and FHWA in July. After finalizing the report, it will be designed, printed, distributed and posted on the Center web site.

Task 1.4: Purpose and Need Practitioner Handbook.

Design, print and distribute the Handbook and post on the Center web site.

Task 1.5: Considering Environmental Issues in Statewide and Metropolitan Transportation Planning Practitioner Handbook.

Complete first draft of the Handbook, distribute to FHWA, SCOE and SCOP for initial review and incorporate changes. Then, distribute Handbook to wider FHWA, FTA and AASHTO Committee audience, and other stakeholders for review and incorporate changes. Finally, submit to SCOE for vote and finalize, design, publish and distribute the Handbook.

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Task 2.1: Conduct round table discussions at the AASHTO Standing Committee on Planning and Environment annual meeting on State experiences in implementing the environmental provisions of SAFETEA-LU, including improving and integrating transportation planning and environmental processes, operating under the new environmental review process and delegations.

In preparation for the round table discussions: 1) recruit State DOT’s to make presentations on their experiences; and 2) develop and distribute a session agenda. Prepare and widely disseminate proceedings of the discussions.

Task 2.2: Document and publish success stories in implementing the environmental provisions of SAFETEA-LU, including implementing the new environmental process and linking planning and NEPA, on a quarterly basis on the Center web site and publish in the Alert.

Identify and document success stories for publication on the Center web site. Send e-mail to all stakeholders notifying them of the newly posted information.

Task 2.3: Achieving Environmental Streamlining through the SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process Practitioner Handbook.

Complete first draft of the Handbook, distribute to FHWA and SCOE for initial review and incorporate changes. Then, distribute Handbook to wider FHWA, FTA and AASHTO Committee audience, and other stakeholders for review and incorporate changes. Finally, submit to SCOE for vote and finalize, design, publish and distribute the Handbook and post in ton the Center web site.

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Task 3.1: Solicitation for Center GIS Experts.

Task 3.2: Coordinate with TRB Committees that handle GIS and visualization, share best practices and distribute TRB reports.

Co-sponsor and participate in: TRB Annual Meeting Sunday workshops, paper, exhibit, conference, and poster sessions, and TRB Committee mid-year meeting exhibits and workshop sessions. Publicize the availability of and include linkages to TRB reports on the Center web site.

Task 3.3: Participate in the AASHTO Steering Committee for the further development and deployment of the software for an environmental information management system and decision support system developed under NCHRP 25-23(2).

Assist AASHTOWARE in coordinating the AASHTO Standing Committees on Planning, Highways, and Environment evaluating, further developing, and deploying the prototype Environmental Information Management and Decision Support System Software as an AASHTOWARE software product. The web-based software includes environmental commitment tracking, environmental information management, and public involvement records management functionalities.

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Task 4.1: CSS Peer to Peer Workshop.

Assemble a group of State DOTs, and their Division FHWA and FTA representatives to participate in peer to peer discussions to: 1) share information and experiences on the how they incorporate CSS; 2) collaboratively identify best practices that are transferable; 3) discuss innovative strategies, actions, tools and technologies for advancing CSS implementation; 4) develop work plans for their state to progress along the CSS continuum; and 5) collaboratively identify areas for research. Prepare and widely disseminate proceedings of the peer discussions. In preparation for the peer discussions, develop and distribute a session agenda and relevant resource materials.

Task 4.2: Executive CSS Training.

Develop, in coordination with FHWA, FTA and several state DOT representatives and transit providers, a CSS training program for state DOT executives. The training session will discuss integrating CSS into agencies as the way of doing business and how CSS cans assist states with: 1) community acceptance, 2) environmental compatibility, 3) functionality, 4) financial feasibility, 5) timeliness of delivery, 6) sustainable decisions and investments, and 7) developing and implementing multi-modal projects. Training would take place in one state DOT and training materials will be developed as a model to be used in other state DOTs.

Task 4.3: Publish a Practitioner’s Handbook Project Management.

This Handbook will provide advice to guide Project Managers through the project development and delivery process. The Handbook will integrate CSS into the process and focus on sequencing and dependencies (what is needed to progress various steps in the process). Convene a working group to guide the development of a Practitioner’s Handbook. Complete first draft of the Handbook, distribute to FHWA and SCOE for initial review and incorporate changes. Then, distribute Handbook to wider FHWA and AASHTO Committee audience, and other stakeholders for review and incorporate changes. Finally, submit to SCOE and other appropriate AASHTO Committees for vote and finalize, design, publish and distribute the Handbook.

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Task 5.1: Coordinate with NCHRP and SHRP II on efforts related to better economic analysis for transportation improvements.

Task the Center TERI research consultant to: 1) track the development of methodologies, tools and technologies for economic analysis; 2) identify the most promising methodologies, tools, and technologies; and 3) recommend strategies and actions for using them in transportation planning and project development.

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Task 6.1: Provide Environmental Management System (EMS) technical assistance and cost sharing for eight State DOT’s to develop and implement an EMS for managing the environmental aspects of transportation planning, project development, construction, maintenance, and operations.

Through this program, the Center offers state DOTs a variety of EMS technical assistance options including EMS Orientation Sessions, EMS Work Plan Development, EMS Training, and/or EMS Development and Implementation Mentoring. The EMS Work Group consisting of Center technical experts, FHWA and state DOTs, provides guidance and oversight to the performance of this task. Applications for technical assistance were distributed to all the states. Based upon an evaluation of these applications, technical services will be provided to up to eight state DOTs this year. The Center will capture the benefits of this program to state DOTs so that this information may be shared via the website, the list serve, the Alert and other mechanisms.

Task 6.2: Implementing an Environmental Management System in a State DOT Practitioner Handbook.

Finalize, design, publish and distribute the Handbook and post the Handbook on the Center web site.

Task 6.3: Conduct round table discussions on EMS development and implementation at the annual meetings of the AASHTO Standing Committee on Planning, Highways, and Environment, and the AASHTO Subcommittees on Design, Construction, Maintenance, and Materials.

Draw from the EMS Practitioner’s Handbook. Lead the discussions at the above-mentioned committee meetings to: 1) share information and experiences on developing and implementing an EMS; 2) identify the challenges to developing and implementing an EMS; 3) collaboratively identify strategies and actions for addressing these challenges; and 4) identify the keys to the successful development and implementation of an EMS. Prepare and widely disseminate proceedings of the discussions. In preparation for the discussions, develop and distribute a session agenda and relevant resource materials.

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Task 8.1: Promote awareness and use of the Center web site and services through web site linkages and distribution of promotional materials.

Seek out and link to web sites which have useful environmental content from a transportation perspective. Seek out and cooperate with other organizations to share Center transportation and environmental content through active linkages.

Task 8.2: Announce all reports, best practices, problem solving meetings, conferences, and web casts on the Center web site and in the Alert and the AASHTO Journal.

Task 8.3: Send e-mail updates of Center activities and products to federal and state environment and transportation agencies, trade agencies and other stakeholders.

Establish a Center e-mail list serve to notify interested parties of Center activities and products. Work with FHWA and FTA to develop the list of stakeholders. Distribute an announcement regarding SAFETEA-LU Center funding and let parties know that will be included on regular e-mail updates.

Task 8.4: General web site maintenance, improvements and weekly updates.

1) Conduct routine maintenance, updates, and enhancement of the Center web site; 2) regularly monitor web sites and information sources for news, best practices, research and other developments and posting relevant items to the web site; 3) provide notices of new information, publications and reports on the web site; 4) keep in regular contact with FHWA and Federal Resource Agencies regarding postings for each environmental topical area on the Center web site; 5) add additional content related to relevant activities, meetings, and training efforts; 6) periodically survey web site users to assess their customer satisfaction; and 7) periodically analyze the usage information for the web site and to recommend updates and enhancements. In addition, the Center will obtain input from its technical experts regarding updates to the site. The web site will include all Center publications on the Center web site as Microsoft Word and/or PDF documents as they are published and updated. The site will also include web site linkages to important reports on the Center web site. The Center will actively promote the web site and conduct customer evaluations of the web site’s features and overall usability and institute improvements as appropriate.

Task 8.5: Further develop and maintain the Transportation and Environmental Research Ideas (TERI) database on the Center website, including the addition of planning research needs to the database.

• Distribute a “research ideas” e-mail to encourage the submission of ideas. The solicitation is sent to state DOTs, FHWA, FTA,Resource Agencies, TRB, trade associations, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.
• Validate new research ideas to determine if the idea has been implemented or addressed before posting on the database and validate all research ideas in the database on an annual basis.
• Facilitate SCOE rating of the ideas, subcommittee development of priorities and SCOE Steering Committee research idea selection.
• Archive low rated ideas.
• Build General TERI awareness.
• Conduct regular outreach with SCOR, USDOT, Federal Resource Agencies, NCHRP, TRB, state DOT research contacts, Universities and others to promote awareness about the TERI research priorities and coordinate with those entities on general research activities.
• Respond to any comments submitted via TERI’s online “comments” form.

Task 8.6: Expand the agreements posted in the Programmatic Agreements library located on the Center web site.

The Center completed a library of programmatic agreements by collecting successful and /or innovative agreements from state DOTs, compiling them into a useable format and posting them on the Center web site. The types of agreements included in the library, include, categorical exclusions, Section 106, Endangered Species, Section 4(f), transportation enhancements and land management. The library provides a resource for agencies trying to establish their own agreements. The Center is currently expanding the library. Ideas submitted to the Center for inclusion in the library were reviewed by the SCOE subcommittees and FHWA. It is expected that approximately 50 additional agreements will be posted.

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Task 9.1: Conduct a series of personal visits/meetings with potential partners to explore partnering opportunities.

Work with FHWA and FTA to: 1) identify and prioritize a list of potential partnering organizations to visit; 2) identify mutually beneficial activities which the Center and their partners could collaboratively undertake to fulfill their visions and missions; 3) prepare handout/leave behind materials; 3) visit with the potential partners to discuss the partnering opportunities and strategies and actions for pursing them; and 4) document the outcomes of the visits.

Task 9.2: Invite potential partners to co-sponsor and participate in web site enhancements, peer exchanges, Practitioner’s Handbook production, seminars, web casts, conferences, training courses, and research projects.

Work with FHWA and FTA to: 1) identify potential partnering organizations; and 2) invite those organizations to co-sponsor and participate in the development and delivery of mutually-beneficial services. Potential focus topics for year 1 include freight and land use forecasting.

Task 9.3: Co-Sponsor and participate in the beneficial activities of other organizations.

Work with FHWA and FTA to: 1) identify the potentially beneficial activities of other organizations; 2) approach those organizations and offer to co-sponsor and/or participate in activities; 3) share mailing lists; 4) participate in the planning and execution of the activities; and 5) publicize information on the outcomes of the activities.

Task 9.4: Promote awareness and joint use of the Transportation and Environmental Research Ideas (TERI) Database.

Conduct presentations on the Database at AASHTO Committee Meetings and TRB Committee Meetings.

Task 9.5: Partner with EPA to leverage funding and coordinate on emerging environmental issues such as sustainability, energy conservation, alternative fuels and climate change; identify research needs and post on the TERI database.

1) Identify and maintain a list of emerging environmental issues affecting transportation; 2) conduct semi-annual meetings with EPA Headquarters staff to discuss emerging issues and to identify mutually-beneficial strategies, initiatives, and funding opportunities; and 3) enter into cooperative agreements/memorandums of understanding with EPA to pursue joint initiatives

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Task 10.1: Coordinate with TRB on their work related to cost estimating; distribute TRB reports when published.

The Center will: 1) seek out NCHRP, SHRP II, and other TRB research products relating to cost estimating and project oversight tools; 2) disseminate information on those research products; and 3) propose and encourage presentations on those research products at AASHTO Committee Meetings and conferences.

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