Research Idea Details

Laying the Groundwork for Environmental Asset Management

  • Focus Area: Construction and Maintenance Practices
  • Status: Archived
  • Subcommittee: Environmental Process, Natural Resources
  • Cost: $100k-$249k
  • Timeframe: Under 1 year

Research Idea Scope

Michigan DOT is currently running a pilot testing LiDAR
as an efficient way to add data on engineered structures to the state’s asset
management system.  Meanwhile, the
Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (in conjunction with the St. Louis
(EWG) has been using LiDAR to remotely identify wetlands to the point of
ascribing Cowardin classification.  Can
synergies be found?  Also, can the new,
nationwide data available through USGS, USEPA, and NatureServe through the
National Atlas of Sustainability starting in September 2013 be utilized as a
basis for natural asset management?

Urgency and Payoff

Natural asset management will also help DOTs document
the extent of their impacts and in some cases their lack of negative impact
and/or amelioration of environmental condition. 
This information has the potential to substantively boost the ability to
collaborate with resource agencies and to avoid disputes, as well as to
efficiently provide a base of environmental information that DOTs can use to
manage their rights-of-way.

Suggested By:
Marie Venner Venner Consulting 3037985333
[email protected]
Submitted:
10/08/2013