Webinar Introduces GIS Tools for Linking Transportation and Natural Resource Planning

Learn how to use geographic information system (GIS) tools to better balance the needs of transportation projects with environmental concerns at a free Webinar sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Technology Implementation Group. The Webinar will be held on June 16, 2011, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. (eastern daylight time). It is part of the ongoing Innovations series, which is designed to bring representatives from State and local transportation agencies, industry, academia, and others timely information on today’s highway technology advances. The series is hosted by FHWA’s National Highway Institute (NHI), in conjunction with the FHWA Highways for LIFE program.

“Transportation Innovations: Linking Transportation and Natural Resource Planning Through Environmental GIS Tools” will highlight the experiences of Maryland and Texas. Both States have pioneered GIS planning approaches for transportation to improve environmental outcomes and enhance project delivery. This early collaborative planning among transportation and natural resource agencies has produced ecosystem–based frameworks to guide transportation decisions.

Using GIS tools for environmental planning has resulted in multiple benefits for States such as Maryland and Texas, including:

• Data–driven decision support systems that produce high–quality transportation projects.
• Early multi–agency integration, which speeds up project planning and completion, allows regulatory compliance to be achieved more quickly, and improves working relationships among agencies.
• A systems approach that improves quality and provides more cost–effective stewardship while increasing ecological benefits.

Participants in the Webinar will hear a range of presentations and have the opportunity to ask questions. Presentations include:

• The Benefits of Using and Developing Environmental Planning GIS Tools.
• Environmental Assessment Tools: The GIS Screening Tool and the NEPAssist Web Site.
• Maryland’s Green Infrastructure Assessment and Approach: A Strategic Approach to Environmental Stewardship for U.S. 301 Waldorf.

Registration for the Webinar will open in mid May. More information and an online link for registration will be available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/hfl (click on “Communications”). Information is also available by contacting Donna Buscemi at the Maryland State Highway Administration, 410–545–8558 (email: dbuscemi@sha.state.md.us).