Evaluation of the Use and Effectiveness of Wildlife Crossings, Dec. 31, 2007.

Purpose: To provide a state-of-the-practice document on the use of wildlife crossings. The report will address design procedures, establishing warrants for use, maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness of the various practices. (Project 25-27) Final Report and accompanying web-based decision guide and resource tool, Wildlife and Roads: A Resource to Help Mitigate Roads for Wildlife

Technologies to Improve Consideration of Environmental Concerns in Transportation Decisions (NCHRP 25-22(02)), continuation of project completed in 2001. Completed in April 2006. Research Results Digest 304: Technologies To Improve Consideration of Environmental Concerns in Transportation Decisions.

• Electronic Asset Management System [VIDEO 17 minutes 52 seconds]
• Web-based Environmental Screening Tool [VIDEO 10 minutes 15 seconds]
• Road/Rail Alignment Optimization [VIDEO 14 minutes 25 seconds]
• Integrated Aerial Data Collection [VIDEO 12 minutes 54 seconds]
• NEPA Document Preparation and Review Expert System
  [VIDEO  11 minutes 52 seconds]
• Life Cycle E-Engineering [VIDEO 11 minutes 8 seconds]
• Interactive Regional Scenario Analysis  [VIDEO 14 minutes 22 seconds]

Purpose: To identify, critique, and showcase current and emerging technologies that support the integration of environmental considerations into transportation planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations. (Project 25-22-2)

Detailed Planning for Research on Providing Highway Capacity in Support of the Nation's Economic, Environmental, and Social Goals, April 15, 2006

Purpose: To establish the goals, research agenda and projects, administrative structure, and fiscal needs for a new strategic highway research program. (Project 20-58(4))

Guidelines for Analysis of Investments in Bicycle Facilities. (Report 552) (January 2006)

The report is designed to help transportation planners integrate bicycle facilities into their overall transportation plans and on a project-by-project basis. Guidelines developed based on the report may be accessed online at http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/bikecost/.

Guidance for Better Linking Systems Planning and the NEPA Process(NCHRP Project 8-36, Task 48) (January 2006)

The objective of this project is to provide guidance to state DOTs on how information currently produced in the systems planning process can be made more useful for addressing and resolving NEPA-level issues.  Such information might include: the statement of purpose and need, record of public involvement, documentation of range of alternatives, identification of significant environmental and community impacts, and similar identification of indirect and cumulative impacts in conjunction with local land use planning.

National Site Visits on Transportation and Growth (NCHRP Project 8-36 Task 40) [PDF 2.51mb]

Purpose: The objective of this task is to conduct several visits of successful real world sustainable development projects. The purpose is to provide technology transfer opportunities between policy officials, technical staff, land use developers, and finance professionals. With several transportation-supported smart growth projects reaching fruition, host sponsors in these areas will share their success stories. (Project 8-36, Task 40)

Environmental Impact of Construction and Repair Materials on Surface and Ground Waters -- Outreach and Training, Dec. 31, 2004

Purpose: To publicize, and present an open, 3-hour, national teleconference in the first half of 2002 that summarizes the findings and applications of the products of NCHRP Project 25-09 for the transportation and environmental communities. (Project 25-09(01))

Guidelines for the Selection of Snow and Ice Control

Performance Measures for Context-Sensitive Solutions - A Guidebook for State DOTs [PDF 5.79mb] (October 2004)

Purpose: To research and define performance measures to complement those currently being used or developed to support the transportation-project planning, design, and implementation process and propose model performance measures for context sensitive design implementation. This effort will complement ongoing benchmarking efforts. (Web Document 69, Project 20-24(30)).

NCHRP Report: Environmental Stewardship Practices, Procedures, and Policies for Highway Construction and Maintenance.

A comprehensive compendium of current environmental stewardship practices, policies and procedures for highway construction and maintenance from across the country has been completed for the AASHTO Standing Committee on the Environment, under the auspices of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Project 25-25. Intended as a resource for state transportation agencies, the report provides a wealth of information and practical explanations of successful stewardship approaches being applied by states. See the NCHRP 25-25(04) Construction & Maintenance Practices online compendium.

Effective Methods for Environmental Justice Assessment [PDF 2.90mb], 2004

Purpose: To outline the processes, procedures, and techniques for integrating environmental justice considerations in transportation systems planning and decision making at the statewide, regional, and metropolitan levels. (Project 8-41) (Report 532 [PDF 2.90mb])

Integrating Tourism and Recreation Travel with Transportation Planning and Project Delivery [PDF 2.50mb],  (2004)

Purpose: Provides an overview of current practice at transportation agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, state tourism and parks departments, federal land management agencies, and regional planning agencies. Overall, findings reveal that many state departments of transportation (DOTs) are now actively involved in tourism-related planning issues -- either proactively or in building solutions to infrastructure, access, or environmental issues that impinge on the success of tourism in the region. (Synthesis 329)

Purpose: To develop a methodology for assessing the suitability and practicability of specific waste and recycled materials in transportation applications, determining appropriate uses, developing design and construction guidelines, and evaluating long-term in-service performance. (Project 4-21)

Consideration of Environmental Factors in Transportation Systems Planning, June 19, 2003

Purpose: To identify, develop, and describe a process that includes procedures and methods for integrating environmental factors in transportation systems planning and decision making at the statewide, regional, and metropolitan levels. (Project 8-38)

Purpose: To develop and demonstrate a methodology to predict the short-term and long-term effects of corridor-level, traffic-flow improvement projects on carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate emissions (PM). (Project 25-21) (Report 535) [PDF 4.01mb]

Purpose: To evaluate information on intersection carbon monoxide concentrations and the pattern of monitored violations, the significance of modal emissions, and the current state of the practice in carbon monoxide intersection modeling; assess the suitability of existing intersection air quality models (emissions, dispersion, and traffic components); and develop an improved integrated model and a computer program for the air quality assessments of intersections at urban and suburban locations. (Project 25-06)

Purpose: To enhance the basic understanding of heavy-duty vehicle activities and associated emissions; to develop tools for MPOs and states to evaluate future policies, plans, or programs on exhaust emissions (including NOx, PM, and VOCs); and to test, evaluate, and apply the tools in order to demonstrate their applicability to the transportation and air-quality planning processes. (Project 25-14)

Purpose: To develop a concise, easily readable guide that state DOTs and other transportation agencies can use to incorporate context-sensitive design principles into their transportation project development work. The guide is applicable to a wide variety of projects that transportation agencies routinely encounter. While the guide is primarily written for transportation agency personnel, it will also help other stakeholders better understand the issues. (Project 15-19) The revised final report has been published as NCHRP Report 480.

Environmental Information Management and Decision Support System for Transportation, August 19, 2002, Link to Report 481 (2003) [PDF 2.35mb]

Purpose: To develop a system for environmental information management and decision support for transportation plans, programs, projects, operations and maintenance activities. (Project 25-23)

Purpose: To develop guidance for evaluating and selecting specific compensatory wetland mitigation options associated with development of transportation projects. (Project 25-16)

Purpose: To develop a short-term monitoring procedure that can produce more accurate input data for air quality dispersion models and can do so in a manner requiring less data collection and less time to complete than do current monitoring requirements. (Project 25-15)

Wet Detention Pond Design for Highway Runoff Pollution Control, February 2, 2002

Purpose: To develop a methodology for designing efficient wet detention ponds in the highway environment. (Project 25-12)

Purpose: To develop a rational process to identify, assess, and manage bridge deck runoff that may adversely impact the beneficial uses of receiving waters. (Project 25-13 and 25-13(2))

Purpose: To synthesize existing knowledge and practice into a form usable by practitioners, develop a strategic research plan to address gaps in existing knowledge; and (3) recommend a system for continued exchange of information between practitioners and others interested in water-quality and runoff issues. (Project 25-20)

Evaluation of Best Management Practices for Highway Runoff Control, May 31, 2006

Purpose: to provide highway practitioners with the scientific and economic information needed for selection and design of best management practices (BMPs) to control highway runoff. (Project 25-20(01))

Identification of Research Needs Related to Highway Runoff Management, Dec. 31, 2003

Purpose: to identify and describe research projects that will address priority needs in the area of highway runoff management. (Project 25-20(02))

Purpose: To identify, critique, and showcase current and emerging technologies that support the integration of environmental considerations into transportation planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations. (Project 25-22)

Purpose: To provide new or improved items for a practitioner's toolbox; (2) to conduct historical case study analyses to provide an improved retrospective of indirect effects for application in estimation approaches; and (3) to develop training materials for practitioners. (Project 25-10(2))

Purpose: To develop and verify a modal-emissions model that accurately reflects impacts of speed, engine load, and start conditions on emissions under a comprehensive variety of driving characteristics and vehicle technologies. (Project 25-11)

Environmental Impact of Construction and Repair Materials on Surface and Ground Waters, June 30, 2000

Purpose: To develop a validated methodology for assessing the environmental impact of highway construction and repair materials on surface water and groundwater, and to apply the methodology to a spectrum of materials in representative environments. (Project  25-09)

Quantifying Air-Quality and Other Benefits and Costs of Transportation Control Measures,  December 31, 1999

Purpose: To develop an analytical framework for assessing the air quality and other benefits and costs of transportation air quality control strategies. (Project 8-33)

Purpose: To provide planners and decision makers with effective analytical tools that describe and measure the interrelationships between transportation facilities and services and land-use on a regional and project-level basis. (Project 8-32(3))

Purpose: To develop guidelines on the wetlands replacement process. (Project 25-03)

Estimating the Indirect Effects of Proposed Transportation Projects, May 31, 1996

Purpose: To develop an analysis framework and supporting methods to facilitate identifying, understanding, describing, and evaluating indirect effects of transportation projects. (Project 25-10)

Purpose: To define methodologies suitable for cost effective and timely identification, classification, and location of wetlands required to support decisions throughout the highway project development process; and evaluate technologies in terms of cost, procedures, personnel, practicality, application, and accuracy for applying the methodologies. (Project 25-05)

Impact of Highway Capacity Improvements on Air Quality and Energy Consumption, July 30, 1995

Purpose: To review and evaluate the state of knowledge on how new roads and other highway capacity improvements affect traffic flow, travel demand, land use, vehicle emissions, air quality, and energy use. (Project 25-08)

Purpose: To improve the integration of transportation data with emissions estimation procedures and air quality planning. (Project 25-07)

Purpose: To evaluate the materials and techniques used to seal geotechnical exploratory holes and to develop a comprehensive set of sealing guidelines. (Project 21-04)

Purpose: To identify the technical, operational, and economic impacts of environmental, health, and safety regulations on highway maintenance programs and to provide information for transportation agencies and legislative decision-makers on the costs and consequences of regulatory compliance. (Project 14-09(5))

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Monitoring, Analyzing, and Reporting on the Environmental Streamlining Pilot Projects, ongoing since July 13, 2001

Purpose: To evaluate ways to improve efficiency and reduce delays in the highway development process while ensuring environmental protection. (Project 25-24)

Purpose: To provide precise and accurate test methods for practical laboratory and field measurements of soil resistivity and pH. (Project 21-06)

Transportation of Radioactive Waste, Nov. 30, 2005

Purpose: To outline a monitored geologic repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) from commercial and defense nuclear plants. (Project 20-61)

Research for the AASHTO Standing Committee on Planning, December 31, 2003

Purpose: To conduct quick research project on topics such as using expert panels in land use decisions, the factors influencing future transportation planning, assessing the National Environmental Policy Act regulations etc. [Please link for listing of tasks by year.] (Project 8-36)

Purpose: To develop guidelines for selection of snow and ice control chemicals and abrasives, based on their constituents, performance, environmental impacts, cost, and site-specific conditions. (Project 6-16)

Research for the AASHTO Standing Committee on the Environment: Support for Environmental Streamlining and Environmental Stewardship to Improve Transportation Planning and Project Development, (Project 25-25) November 5, 2003

TASKS 64 Through 69 Added November 2009

Purpose: To describe improvements to analytical methods, decision support tools, procedures, and techniques employed by practitioners to support statewide and metropolitan transportation planning, programming, and development. (Project 25-25)

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Software for an Environmental Information Management and Decision Support System, anticipated project.

Purpose: To design, test, and demonstrate a prototype software program for an environmental information management and decision support system that builds on the concepts presented in NCHRP Report 481: Environmental Information Management and Decision Support System-Implementation Handbook. Report 481 describes the results of NCHRP Project 25-23, which developed a concept for an Environmental Information Management and Decision Support System to address all modes and all levels of decision making---planning, priority programming, project development, operations, and maintenance. Proposals are due Dec. 4, 2003. (Project 25-23(2))

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