Planning & Environment Linkages

The state of the practice in use of the Eco-Logical landscape approach to infrastructure planning is outlined in the Jan. 2019 issue of Federal Highway Administration’s Successes in Stewardship newsletter. The issue provides examples of the Eco-Logical approach and its benefits, agencies that are using the approach, and ways it can be used to accelerate project delivery. For more information, link to the newsletter. (1-8-19)

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A study on incorporating long-distance travel data into U.S. transportation planning has been issued by the National Center for Sustainable Transportation at UC Davis. The study reviews the history of long-distance travel and suggests a framework for long-distance data collection and tabulation. The report finds this class of travel accounts for more than 2.6 billion annual trips by private vehicle, rail, air, and intercity bus that can impact quality of life and environmental impacts. For more information, link to the study. (October 2018)

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Guidance on updating regional transportation planning and modeling tools to address potential impacts of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) has been issued under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. An executive summary report provides key findings of the research and a related guidance provides detailed guidelines to help state DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations update their modeling and forecasting tools and modeling processes to address CAVs. For more information, link to the Executive Summary Report and the Guidance. (11-19-18)

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Tools for measuring the impact of public involvement campaigns in order to ensure both success and efficient use of public resources are the focus of research prepared under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. The goal of the research is to provide transportation agencies with evidence-based guidance on measuring the performance of public engagement in transportation planning and project delivery. The recently-completed research will be used for a final report expected to be issued early next year. For more information, link to NCHRP 08-105. (11-13-18)

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The Federal Highway Administration has issued a study evaluating its efforts to promote and implement the Eco-Logical approach for infrastructure planning. Eco-Logical is an interagency landscape-level approach to integrating infrastructure development and ecosystem conservation. The evaluation describes a range of actions FHWA has conducted, including publishing the 2006 primary resource document, two rounds of funding, 31 webinars, eight peer exchanges, multiple case studies and reports, reaching 94 agencies in at least two-thirds of the states. The report encouraged the agency to continue efforts to promote the initiative, and called for more resources on the later steps of the framework focused on project delivery. For more information, link to the report. (3-21-18)

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The Federal Highway Administration has issued guidance for using scenario planning to help transportation agencies prepare for what is likely to happen in future projects. The guide highlights challenges to scenario planning in transportation that include funding issues, lack of knowledge, and data requirements. In addition, the guide highlights the scenario planning process and provides a list of planning elements to help define the scenario planning scope and workplan. How to address changing community goals, ensuring resilience, and the need for visioning and building consensus are also addressed. For more information, link to the report.

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The National Association of Development Organizations has released a report concerning a September 2016 peer exchange that focused on rural transportation planning and economic development. The report addresses best practices for rural public involvement to support statewide plans and includes suggestions for planning for development that is sensitive to the region, promotes placemaking and builds upon the community. The report also discusses technology improvements to increase transportation safety and the collection of trip data to understand congestion hotspots. For more information, link to the report. (3-2-17)

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The Federal Highway Administration has released a report concerning the Regional Models of Cooperation Program. The program is part of the Every Day Counts 3 Regional Models Initiative to facilitate cooperation among state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations. It emphasizes developing multi-jurisdictional transportation plans and agreements to improve communication, collaboration, policy implementation, technology use and performance management. The report addresses the basis for regional collaboration, including program benefits and examples of forums for communicating, data sharing tools and project planning products. The report also provides case studies from Arizona, California, Texas, Florida and Oregon to provide best practices for communicating and collaborating with various stakeholders. For more information, link to the report. (December 2016)

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The Federal Highway Administration has released a reference manual designed to help subarea planning and operations officials to integrate operations, safety, and multimodal transportation planning. Planning for Transportation Systems Management and Operations within Subareas - A Desk Reference provides a foundation for implementing transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) strategies and includes examples of current practices across the country. The reference also includes tools for integrated corridor management, active transportation demand management and principles for metropolitan planning. For more information, link to the reference. (1-25-17)

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The Federal Highway Administration has launched an interactive, online tool to support collaborative decision-making in transportation planning and project development. PlanWorks is built around key decision points in long-range planning, programming, corridor planning, and environmental review. PlanWorks suggests when and how to engage cross-disciplinary partners and stakeholder groups, and includes a decision guide, assessment tools, applications, and a resource library. The tool, formerly known in beta-version as Transportation for Communities - Advancing Projects through Partnerships (TCAPP) – is now permanently managed by FHWA. The agency also announced funding assistance to help state DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations implement the tool. The application period for funding will be open May 29 through June 26. For more information, link to PlanWorks and the Round 6 SHRP2 Implementation Assistance Program announcement. (5-14-15)

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