August 21, 2025
Search Results
Artificial Intelligence Assisted Approach to Updating RIP and TRID
Key databases, including RIP and TRID, used by transportation professionals to track up to date, open-sourced materials from state DOTs, local municipalities and federal sources are woefully out of date.
July 30, 2025
Defining Section 106 Areas of Potential Effects: Best Practices for Efficiency and Defensibility
Background/Description Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106) requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their projects, activities, and programs on historic properties. Transportation agencies must
May 1, 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications for Air Quality
While the emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI) tools holds great promise, there are serious questions about its capabilities and reliability. This study would identify and explore potential applications of
April 21, 2025
Possible Need for Professional Certification/Licensing for NEPA Practitioners
The purpose of this research is to investigate: 1) the need for and effectiveness of a national and state-by-state NEPA certification program (equivalent to a P.E. licensing program); 2) examine
October 30, 2024
Validating Driving Cycles and Emission Factors for Higher Road Grades
While the MOVES emission model used in project-level air quality analyses can be used to estimate emissions for any road grade, it has not been validated for non-zero road grades
August 22, 2024
Framework for Enhanced Model Evaluations for Air Quality Analyses
NCHRP 25-55 made ground-breaking recommendations for the design and implementation of an enhanced model evaluation process (EMEP) for air quality analyses for transportation, including in particular that model evaluations be
August 22, 2024
Design Guidelines for Safe Stormwater Treatment in the Roadside Clear Zone
This research would result in guidelines for the design of check dams for stormwater treatment in the roadside clear zone to maximize the retention and filtration of roadway runoff and
August 22, 2024
Practitioner Guidebook for Reducing Emissions from Freight Transportation
This study would develop a guidebook to help practitioners identify strategies for reducing emissions from the multi-modal freight system, which is a major source of urban air pollution and a
August 22, 2024
New and retrofit technology for capture of gross and fine plastic waste within DOT ROW
How to effectively capture waste plastic debris (cigarettes, syringes, bags. etc.) prior to discharge from inlets, ditches/curbs, and culvert outfalls to receiving waters that retains designed hydraulic flow characteristics. What
August 22, 2024
Optimizing Stormwater Infrastructure for Debris and Microplastics Capture from Highway Runoff
The primary objective of this research is to enhance the effectiveness of existing stormwater infrastructure (ponds, channels, inlets, etc.) for containing debris (cigarette litter, tire particles, etc.) and microplastics found
August 22, 2024
Atypical Events Primer for Project Level Analyses for Particulate Matter
Background concentrations (BCs) for project-level “hot-spot” analyses for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) included in NEPA documentation are typically high relative to the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) set by
February 26, 2024
Post-World War Institutional Properties and Section 106: A Methodology for Evaluating Historic Significance.
This research project would result in the development of a methodology to evaluate the National Register eligibility of post-World War II (postwar) institutional buildings in compliance with Section 106 of
February 20, 2024
Integrate Small Animal Exclusion Fencing Into Guardrail
Can standard guardrail be used to (safely) support small wildlife exclusion fencing? Basically we have locations where we have commercially available wildlife fencing right behind guardrail (see image below). This
July 28, 2023
Mitigating Impacts of Non-Exhaust Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emissions
Objective: Develop methods to characterize and mitigate harmful effects of non-exhaust (tire wear, brake wear, re-entrained road dust) motor vehicle pollutant emissions to water quality, air pollution, and environmental and
July 7, 2023
Understanding Lifecycle GHG Impacts of Emissions Reduction Strategies
An increasing number of DOTs and MPOs are considering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as part of the planning process, particularly in response to new federal programs addressing on-road GHG emissions.
July 7, 2023
Noise Reductions From 6’-8’ Tall Solid Safety Barriers
TNM significantly underestimates, and overlooks, the noise attenuation of 6’-8’ tall solid safety barriers (SSBs) because TNM distributes a large amount of noise energy tall in the vehicle profiles at
July 7, 2023
Application of Solar Fiber Noise Barrier Topper for the Generation of Electricity and Enhanced Traffic Noise Reduction
The Observations leading to this proposal are 1) that a fibrous material (such as a long-bladed grassy bush or the fur of an animal) can noticeably reduce sound levels from
July 7, 2023
Understanding the implications of reduced roadside mowing for driver safety and public perception
Transportation agency managers have expressed concern that reduced mowing practices, such as those that benefit pollinators, may increase vehicle collisions with large mammals like deer, thereby reducing driver safety. Though
July 7, 2023
Insect Use of Wildlife Crossings
Wildlife crossings such as overpasses, underpasses, or culverts designed to help animals avoid vehicle traffic can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, protect animals, and help maintain their habitat connectivity. While the benefits
July 7, 2023
Ensuring Equity in Emissions Reduction Strategies
Spurred by information on the increasing urgency of mitigating climate change, as well as an injection of federal funding into carbon emissions reduction strategies, transportation agencies are increasingly developing and
July 6, 2023
Risk-Based Comparisons for Air Quality of NEPA Alternatives
Comparisons of alternative build and no-build scenarios in project-level air quality analyses for NEPA and conformity typically focus on comparisons of emissions and/or ambient concentrations of specific pollutants, including greenhouse
July 6, 2023
Improving Emission Estimates Using Driving Cycles for Higher Road Grades
EPA suggested in response to a comment in the last MOVES Model Review Workgroup that grade-specific drive cycle data (second-by-second speeds) be used instead of model default data (which generally
July 5, 2023
Framework to Address Equity and Environmental Justice in Transportation Noise Analysis
FHWA regulations for highway traffic noise (23 CFR 772) outline procedures for traffic noise analysis and noise abatement requirements for State DOT highway projects. The regulations stipulate that noise abatement
July 3, 2023
Synthesis of Current Practices in Traffic Microsimulation for Project-Level Air Quality Studies
The objective for this study would be to compile information on the state of the practice among state DOTs for using microscopic traffic simulation in support of project-level air quality
June 23, 2023
Are there real benefits from faster delivery of projects and the immediate gratification associated with expedited delivery?
Much has been made about the time it takes for NEPA (mostly specific to EISs) processes to be completed with politicians and consumptive industries strongly suggesting NEPA is inefficient, archaic
June 14, 2023
How will AI affect the interactional intent of NEPA informed decision making?
NEPA is an ever evolving policy since it advocates process and evolving applied knowledge over outcomes. More and more, practitioners are experiencing the infusion of AI into the process and
June 14, 2023
Would NEPA application benefit from a practitioner certification program?
Since its inception 50+ years ago, NEPA has been subject to criticism – takes too long, costs too much, and so on. As a result, many remedies have been put
June 14, 2023
Has NEPA Evolution to Accommodate Alternative Delivery (i.e., Design Build) Led to a Positive Outcome Relative to NEPA Intent?
Many infrastructure industry providers have migrated towards alternative delivery (in lieu of traditional design bid build approaches) to more quickly and efficiently deliver infrastructure for the public good. As a
June 14, 2023
Has the creation, evolution and growth of the environmental law industry adversely affected federal environmental policy?
NEPA language, and direction, when first created directed project sponsors and federal lead agencies to “summarize” the need for the project. Today, 50+ years later, the focus on need for
June 14, 2023
Has One Federal Decision supported the informed decision making intent of NEPA?
Identify and assess up to five projects subject to NEPA where OFD was a paramount focus. Assess how OFD was handled in each, ID commonalities, differences, and outcomes? Conduct interviews
June 14, 2023
How effective are Planning Environmental Linkages studies (PELs) in expediting NEPA?
For over 20 years Congress and presidential administrations from both parties have sought to accelerate environmental approval timeframes for transportation infrastructure projects. Planning Environmental Linkages (PELs) were first authorized in
June 14, 2023
PFAS Impacts to Stormwater Management Basins
The draft findings of NCHRP Project: 20-05/Topic 54-01 Practices to Identify and Mitigate PFAS Impacts on Highway Construction Projects and Maintenance Operations included recommendations to 1) develop a comprehensive guidance
June 5, 2023
Environmental Review of Chemical Products
NCHRP Synthesis 20-05/Topic 53-19 is a project projected to finish in 2024. The focus of the project was on State DOT product evaluation programs (PEPs) to evaluate product potential and
June 5, 2023
Best practices for establishing tribal monitoring protocols
With the goal of having a more consistent national approach for tribal monitoring, issues to address include: • Timing/scheduling • Compensation for travel • Amount of requests of tribes •
April 14, 2023
Cultural Resource/Environmental Commitment Compliance During Construction
• Tied to communication across all the disciplines during project development and construction. • Section 106 is not static piece within the project delivery process, it needs to be done
April 14, 2023
Incorporating Cultural Resources in Design for Habitat Mitigation (submitted in coordination with TRB’s AME-60 committee)
Transportation projects frequently require mitigation for impacts to natural resources, such as wetland, stormwater, pollinator and reforestation sites per regulatory requirements. Transportation corridors are often located in highly developed areas
March 27, 2023
Compendium of State Departments of Transportation Procedures for Alternative Project Delivery (including, but not limited to Design-Build, CMAR, and Public Private Partnership (P3) projects) Noise Abatement and Recommended Best Practices from the Project Owner Perspective
This research effort will provide a compendium of DOTs Alternative Project Delivery processes as they relate to noise abatement. Several approaches will be undertaken to compile the compendium: • A
August 17, 2022
Effective Communication Plans for Engagement with Tribal Nations
Tribal consultation is an integral part of the environmental review process under NEPA. Successful consultation begins with an effective communication strategy. However, the nature of working with diverse tribal nations
April 26, 2022
Framework for Analyzing and Mitigating Highway-related Noise and Vibration Impacts on Terrestrial Wildlife
Background Currently, there is minimal guidance from federal agencies on how to conduct noise and vibration analyses specific to wildlife, which results in differing approaches to noise analyses that may
June 29, 2021
Effects of Heavy Truck Volumes on Noise
Among the many types of on-road vehicles traveling the American highway system, heavy trucks are the loudest frequently-heard noise sources. Comments from residents near highways at project public hearings and
May 7, 2021
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Transportation Noise
Problem Statement Although current and historical efforts to reduce transportation-related noise have been costly to develop, implement, and enforce, the nature and magnitude of their specific costs have not been
May 7, 2021
Stormwater Asset Management for Regulatory Compliance and Practical Operations and Maintenance
Transportation agencies across the nation are charged with operating and maintaining stormwater infrastructure associated with roadways to ensure runoff is efficiently removed from impervious surfaces and discharged to nearby waterbodies
May 7, 2021
Practitioners Handbook for Noise Wall Inspection Procedures During and Post Construction
The objective of this research is development of a Practitioners Handbook for Noise Wall Inspection Procedures During and Post Construction. The completed handbook will provide state highway agency staff and
May 7, 2021
Practitioners Handbook for the Noise Analysis Process for Design Build Projects
The objective of this research is development of a Practitioners Handbook for the Noise Analysis Process for Design Build Projects. The completed handbook will provide state highway agency staff and
May 7, 2021