The Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO offers a number of products and programs for technical assistance, training, information exchange, partnership-building opportunities, and quick-and-easy access to environmental tools. The Center provides these services to facilitate excellence in the delivery of transportation services.
Report is a follow up to AASHTO’s 2003 Taking the High Road report, and documents new projects and programs that continue to advance both transportation and environmental stewardship. The report provides important facts on how transportation makes a difference in quality of life through key environmental investments.
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The Center sponsors several Communities of Practice for key environmental topics to provide a venue for professionals to discuss and exchange information, experiences, ideas, and best practices on a range of environmental topics related to the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of highway and transit systems. The goal of these Communities of Practice is to promote environmental stewardship and to encourage innovative ways to streamline the transportation delivery process. Summary reports from Communities of Practice are prepared for reference and advancing future discussion of these topics. Learn More »
The Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO holds an annual Best Practices Competition to showcase the outstanding work being done throughout the country to integrate environmental consideration with the planning and delivery of transportation projects, programs and services. The reports document the annual winners and notable practices. Learn More »
Documents and presentations from the AASHTO/FHWA Peer Exchange: Context Sensitive Solutions held in Baltimore, Maryland, September 6-8, 2006 sponsored by the Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO in conjunction with the AASHTO CSS Task Force and the Federal Highway Administration. Over 260 participants from 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Nova Scotia participated in peer exchanges, discussing the issues and challenges to implementation. During concurrent breakout sessions sixteen projects were presented to highlight the success of CSS. Participants had the opportunities to meet with other state representatives to initiate state action plans to further implement CSS within their state and agency. Learn More »
The Center Report on DOT-Funded Positions at Resource and Regulatory Agencies for Environmental Stewardship and Streamlining Initiatives presents information on improvements to project delivery, trends in funded positions, the distribution of funded positions amongst resource agencies, administrative aspects of funding arrangements, performance measures and lessons learned. A comprehensive list of program management resources is provided in Appendix E; which includes online links for all referenced resources. Learn More »
The EMS Implementation guide includes an overview of EMS, how an EMS relates to DOT activities, an EMS Process Roadmap, six EMS templates relating to specific DOT functions (attachment 1), and nine case studies. In addition, the guide contains sample exercises for implementing the process road map (workshop instructions one and two). Two "handy guides" are available: Making the Case for an Environmental Management System and EMS, A Bridge for Organization Coordination and Communications. Learn More »
Environmental stewardship practice at state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) has grown exponentially in recent years. NCHRP 25-25(04) presents a compendium of environmental stewardship practices in construction and maintenance, developed from the literature, state transportation agency manuals and procedures, and the contributions of state DOTs and practitioners. The best practices serve as a guide to the development of Environmental Management Systems and environmental strategic plans both on the organizational level and in specific functional areas. Practices can also serve as foundational elements for individual environmental guidance resources that DOTs may develop.Learn More »
This joint report from the AASHTO/ACEC Committee in Cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration recommends a new approach to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents that focuses on clear, effective writing and presentation of information in a way that is understandable for the public as well as regulators. The report documents the work of a joint committee of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), and the Federal Highway Administration. Learn More »
Traditionally, environmental issues are addressed during transportation project level reviews and permitting processes. Addressing these issues earlier, during transportation systems and corridor planning, could produce plans and projects that more effectively protect and enhance the environment, while providing transportation options when and where they are needed. A thorough understanding of transportation planning and NEPA Decision-Making concepts by planning, environmental, and engineering professionals will lay the foundation for greater collaboration in integrating the processes. Learn More »
Slide presentations (and reference materials) from a workshop focused on the NEPA process for complex projects from the project manager's perspective. Presentations include:
Managing the NEPA Process for Complex Projects - An Overview
Getting Started - How to Lay the Foundation for a Successful NEPA Study
Writing Readable and Legally Sufficient NEPA Documents
The Practitioner's Handbooks provide practical advice on a range of environmental issues that arise during the planning, development, and operation of transportation projects. The Handbooks are primarily intended for use by project managers and others who are responsible for coordinating compliance with a wide range of regulatory requirements. With their needs in mind, each handbook includes:
Key issues to consider;
A background briefing;
Practical tips for achieving compliance.
In addition, key regulations, guidance materials, and sample documents for each Handbook will be posted on the Center's website. Learn More »
The tool kit presents information, guidance, and recommendations on developing and implementing programmatic agreements among state DOTs, the FHWA, and agencies responsible for the protection of environmental resources. These agencies include State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and others. The objective was to provide a practical tool kit based on real world situations and to examine innovative approaches to PA development. The tool kit focuses primarily on programmatic agreements that fulfill FHWA's responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Learn More »
The Sustainability Peer Exchange was hosted by the Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO on May 27-29, 2009 at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.. The goal of the peer exchange was to facilitate both discipline-focused and interdisciplinary discussion of sustainability issues facing the nation’s transportation system. Learn More »
Report chronicles the multitude of important environmental and societal benefits that result from transportation infrastructure projects now and into the future, with an emphasis on positive environmental, historic preservation, and lifestyle enjoyment benefits. Report includes examples from across the country. Learn More »
This webinar provides transportation planners and designers with the tools to understand the underlying research and principles behind the AASHTO publication A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book), and the inherent flexibility within the design criteria. Webinar presenters discuss what is meant by “flexibility in design” and reinforce why flexibility is important. Learn More »
AASHTO Online Bookstore
Purchase the Center's products and tools in original, hard copy format through the online AASHTO Bookstore.
