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Planning & Environment Linkages

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This section describes a range of policies, approaches and case studies related to linking transportation planning and project delivery. Planning and environment linkages considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning stage and carries them through project development, design, and construction. This can lead to a seamless decision-making process that minimizes duplication of effort, promotes environmental stewardship, and reduces delays in project implementation.

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Recent Developments

• NCHRP Issues Guide on Transportation Performance Management
• FHWA Provides Update on Maine DOT’s Atlantic Salmon Programmatic
• Updated Briefing Book Describes Transportation Planning Process
• FHWA Clarifies Eligibility for Use of Planning Funds
• Fiscal Constraint Flexibilities Clarified by FHWA
• FHWA Issues Planning, Environment Linkages Peer Exchange Reports
• FHWA Issues Report on Freight and Land Use Travel Demand
• New Performance-Based Planning Case Studies Issued by FHWA
• Researchers Develop Tool to Measure Effectiveness of Public Involvement
• Newsletter Highlights Use of Eco-Logical for Project Delivery

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Key Resources

• AASHTO Practitioner’s Handbook #10: Using the Transportation Planning Process to Support the NEPA Process (February 2008)
• Planning and Environment Linkages Questions and Answers (Nov. 2016)
• FHWA Planning and Environment Linkages Website
• FHWA Every Day Counts/Planning & Environment Linkages Tools including FHWA Planning and Environment Linkages Questionnaire, PEL Frequently Asked Questions, States Using PEL and PEL Equivalents
• Statewide Transportation Planning; Metropolitan Transportation Planning; Final Rule (Feb. 2007), Appendix A, incorporated as part of this regulatory notice, provides additional, nonbinding guidance to further explain the linkages between the transportation planning and project development/NEPA processes.
• FHWA Guidance on Using Corridor and Subarea Planning to Inform NEPA (2011)
• FHWA Implementing Eco-Logical Website and related resources including: Agencies Implementing the Eco-Logical Approach; Technical Assistance Activities; Technical Assistance; Eco-Logical at Meetings and Conferences; Library; Eco-Logical Report; Grant Program; Webinar Series
• FHWA PlanWorks Decision Support Tool: a web resource that supports collaborative decision-making in transportation planning and project development, built around key decision points in long-range planning, programming, corridor planning, and environmental review.

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