The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Planning, Environment and Realty's (HEP) Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) ended on September 30, 2012. For current HEP research information, please see HEP's research web site.
FHWA-HEP-09-040
STEP Implementation Strategy, Functions and Emphasis Areas
The purpose of this document is to communicate the implementation strategy for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013
Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP). The strategy identifies functions, research emphasis areas, an implementation timeline, and a framework for decisions regarding project priorities and funding. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is soliciting comments, in regard to this document, through an FHWA established Federal Register Docket. The STEP website is used on a continual basis, as a major mechanism for informing the public regarding the status of STEP and to solicit input on program governance. The website can be found at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/index.cfm.
Section 5207, Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP), of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) established a new cooperative research program for environment and planning research in Section 507 of Title 23, United States Code, Highways (23 U.S.C. 507). The general objective of STEP is to improve the understanding of the complex relationship between transportation, planning, and the environment. FHWA anticipates that STEP or a similar program to provide resources for national research on issues related to planning, environment and realty is likely to be included in future surface transportation legislation.
SAFETEA-LU provided $16.875 million per year for FY2006-FY2009 to implement this cooperative research program. Continuing resolutions authorized STEP funding in FY2010, FY2011, and FY2012. Due to obligation limitations, rescissions, and the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections, an average $14.5 million of the $16.875 authorized was available each fiscal year. The proposed FY2013 STEP funding levels are subject to the completion of the FY2013 U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) appropriations process. The anticipated FY2013 STEP research efforts are preliminary and subject to change.
STEP is also the sole source of funds to conduct all FHWA research on planning and environmental issues in FY2013. In addition, Congress mandated several special studies and STEP will be the funding source for those projects. STEP will also address priorities identified in the USDOT Research and Development Strategic Plan (Section 508 of Title 23 U.S.C.).
STEP funding, even in combination with other SAFETEA-LU research funding sources, was less than what was available to FHWA in prior years for planning and environmental research. On average, FHWA had $27.1 million available per year for planning and environmental research for FY2003-FY2005 (including earmarks and designations). Thus, STEP funding represents a 34% reduction in FHWA environmental and planning research funding (see Figure 1 and Table 1). This means FHWA will have to make difficult choices among the many competing needs for planning and environmental research, and will not be able to fund all worthy research.
Figure 1: FHWA Research Funding for Planning and Environment for Fiscal Years 2003-2012 (STEP, TELUS, TRANSIMS, earmarks, etc. minus obligation limitations, rescissions, etc.) compared to FHWA Total Research Funding for Planning and Environment for Fiscal Years 2003-2012
Table: FHWA Research Funding in Dollars for Planning and Environment by Source from Fiscal Year 2003 to Fiscal Year 2011 and estimated Fiscal Year 2012 (minus obligation limitations, rescissions, etc.)
| Funding Sources | FY2003 | FY2004 | FY2005 | FY2006 | FY2007 | FY2008 | FY2009 | FY2010 | FY2011 | FY2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Streamlining from Annual Appropriation Acts | 6,945,500 | 6,557,237 | 5,301,463 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Surface Transportation Research (Planning and Environment)) | 15,082,00 | 15,046,698 | 13,863,981 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Technology Deployment(TD) (excluding TELUS) | 4,229,000 | 5,078,260 | 4,446,144 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| TELUS (New JerseyInstitute of Technology)* | 894,000 | 940,419 | 823,360 | 706,022 | 774,518 | 904,540 | 917,280 | 917,280 | - | - |
| Advance Travel ForecastingProcedures (TRANSIMS) | 2,235,375 | - | - | 1,853,308 | 1,931,454 | 2,255,697 | 2,287,467 | 2,287,467 | 2,263,028 | 2,166,193 |
| Rural Transportation Research (New England Institute of Technology) | - | - | - | 706,022 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development | - | - | - | 441,264 | 484,074 | 565,338 | 573,300 | 573,300 | - | - |
| Center of EnvironmentalExcellence | - | - | - | 882,528 | 919,740 | 1,074,141 | 1,089,270 | 1,089,270 | 1,077,663 | 1,031,521 |
| Exploratory AdvanceResearch | - | - | - | - | 120,000 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program | - | - | - | 11,914,125 | 12,416,491 | 14,500,906 | 14,689,434 | 14,689,434 | 14,548,039 | 13,925,330 |
| Total Funds Available for Planning & Environmental Research | 29,394,875 | 27,622,614 | 24,434,948 | 16,503,269 | 16,646,277 | 19,300,622 | 19,556,751 | 19,556,751 | 17,888,730 | 17,123,244 |
The STEP FY 2012 Budget amounts are estimated until final approval is made.
STEP is the primary source of funds for FHWA to conduct research and develop tools and technologies to advance the state of the practice regarding national surface transportation and environmental decision-making. In FY2013, FHWA expects to seek partnerships that can leverage limited research funding in STEP with other stakeholders and partners in order to increase the total amount of resources available to meet the nation's surface transportation research needs.
In FY2013, STEP is likely to address national research priorities that include:
The number of stakeholders with an interest in environment and planning research is enormous and diverse, including these three tiers:
Tier 1 - Federal Agencies and Tribes: There are many federal agencies with strong interest in transportation planning and environmental programs including: the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Agriculture, Energy, Interior (DOI) and Housing and Urban Development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Within each of these agencies, there are many discrete organizations/programs with an interest - e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management within the DOI. Within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), FHWA partners with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on virtually all planning and environmental work, including research. FHWA also coordinates with the Federal Railroad, Aviation, Research and Innovative Technology, National Highway Traffic Safety and Maritime Administrations, and with the Office of the Secretary of Transportation on Global Climate Change as well as other issues. There are over 500 federally recognized Native American Tribes, which have a major interest in research affecting their planning and environmental needs.
Tier II - State and Local Government: State Departments of Transportation (State DOTs),
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), local governments, state/local environmental and natural resource agencies and State Historic Preservation Officers all have a major interest in environment and planning research, as the research affects national policy and can also provide important tools, information, and training to meet short term and long term needs of these agencies. Universities also play a key role in conducting research that addresses emerging environment and planning issues.
Tier III - Nongovernmental Transportation and Environmental Stakeholders: Within the transportation and environment sector, there are hundreds and perhaps thousands of nongovernmental stakeholders such as: the American Automobile Association, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, American Highway Users Alliance, Surface Transportation Policy Project, Defenders of Wildlife, American Association of Retired Persons, Sierra Club, Conservation Law Foundation, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Planning Association, League of American Bicyclists, National Trust for Historic Preservation, International Right of Way Association, National Alliance of Highway Beautification Agencies and others.
FHWA will continue to make a strong effort to seek out and consider the views of all stakeholder interests in carrying out STEP.
The following are the STEP research functions:
Outreach and collaboration
FHWA will continue to conduct outreach and solicit input on STEP program direction and governance, and will seek collaborative opportunities with other entities conducting research, including federal partners. FHWA will maintain a high degree of transparency in the research plans and research activities via outreach at several different points in the decision-making process (see Section VI below). Outreach and collaboration will take several different forms, including listening sessions, expert panels, peer exchanges, Federal Register notices, STEP feedback system, and domestic scans, among others. FHWA will also coordinate with other entities conducting research (such as the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Transit Cooperative Research Program (NCHRP, TCRP), SHRP2, EPA, CDC, DOI, FTA, other federal agencies, State DOTs, and universities) to maximize collaboration and minimize duplication.
Conduct research
FHWA will conduct a needs-driven research program within STEP that builds on past and future outreach to the research and user communities as well as on documented research needs assessments. Research will be conducted via competitive bids, grants, cooperative agreements, and pooled funds, etc. FHWA will incorporate peer reviews into STEP research as much as possible. In addition, FHWA expects to share funding for various research activities with our partners and will use a variety of mechanisms to enable joint funding.
Deploy results and build capacity
For research to be meaningful to the practitioner communities, results of research must have a deployment component. Deployment and capacity building are major elements of STEP and may be integrated into each emphasis area and project undertaken. Deployment and capacity building activities may take the form of information dissemination, training, peer-to-peer exchanges, domestic scans, workshops, technical assistance, presentations, or web-conferences, etc.
The STEP emphasis areas reflect the SAFETEA-LU legislation, past research needs conferences and assessments, and comments received via the FHWA Federal Register docket. FHWA has organized the STEP FY2013 emphasis areas into five major categories: Environment; Planning; Real Estate Services; Tools to Support Planning and Environment; and Program Management and Outreach. Specific emphasis areas and proposed funding is identified within these categories. The STEP funding available for the STEP emphasis areas is a reflection of the estimated potential scale of STEP funding possible. However, depending on future authorization legislation, the emphasis areas and the level of research funding for specific emphasis areas may vary. The proposed FY2013 emphasis areas are further described below.
1. Anticipated Research Efforts in Environment
A. Natural Environment
1. Air Quality and Climate Change
Contact Persons:
The goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) better understand the contribution of transportation facilities and services to air pollution and greenhouse gases and their potential implications, including environmental and human health impacts; (2) develop and assess analytical methods to adequately identify and reduce transportation emissions; (3) identify cost-effective mitigation strategies to reduce transportation emissions; and (4) develop information, guidance and communication strategies to provide useful technical assistance and training to state and local partners and stakeholders.
Potential research activities include: evaluating air quality impacts such as mobile source air toxics; diesel and other particulate matter; ozone; carbon monoxide; carbon dioxide, and methane; evaluating and improving emission and dispersion models; assessing air quality "hot spots" for emissions characteristics, health impacts and regulatory purposes; identifying cost-effective emissions reduction strategies; assessing and identifying ways to reduce emissions from freight services; evaluating greenhouse gas mitigation efforts; assessing the potential impacts of climate change on transportation; and identifying more effective ways of communicating scientific and regulatory information on transportation-air quality to our partners at state and local agencies and to stakeholders. A sustainable highway system meets identified transportation needs and supports economic development and other societal goals, while maintaining or improving the natural and human environment. Potential research activities include analysis and quantification of costs and other benefits achieved from application of the sustainable highways evaluation tool (INVEST), identification of new or improved sustainable transportation practices, and evaluation of effects of application of sustainable practices on the transportation planning and decision making processes.
2. Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat
Contact Person:
Needs and research for this emphasis area includes assisting the transportation agencies in developing analytic skills to conduct impact assessments and improve mitigation options for unavoidable impacts. Improvement can be gained by utilizing collaboration techniques to produce sustainable natural resource mitigation. Focus areas would concentrate on utilizing wetland, stream, and conservation banking and In-lieu Fee programs as the preferred method of providing compensatory mitigation. Stormwater treatment will be advanced through watershed management and prioritization methods.
Types of research activities can include providing training on stream, wetland, and conservation bank development; and, collaborating with resource agencies in compiling key data bases for Webtool and portal development. Additional research will support green infrastructure programs, aquatic organism passage, safe wildlife crossings, invasive species control, indirect impact analysis and mitigation, and improving storm water runoff treatment design.
B. Human Environment
1. Historic Preservation
Contact Person:
The overall goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) assist in providing all parties involved in the historic preservation process access to information and effective approaches to reach timely transportation decisions that support the mission of the agency and goals of stewardship; (2) identify and improve methods that respond to the needs of planning and environmental decision-making processes; and (3) develop mechanisms to ensure the quality of analysis used to support decision-making and to meet local, state, and federal program requirements.
Potential research activities include: identifying best practices for all aspects of implementation of the Section 106 review process, particularly the effective use of contexts, technology to track and advance survey and planning efforts, and the application of program alternatives; identifying and meeting analytical needs; delivering training and technical assistance associated with recent research findings on treatment of historic bridges, and best practices for considering and addressing historic bridges and roads, and evaluating National Register eligibility of historic resources.
2. Livability and Environmental Justice
Contact Persons:
Livability is about tying the quality and location of transportation facilities to broader opportunities such as access to good jobs, affordable housing, quality schools, and safe streets. The overall goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) help improve the way transportation serves the American people and transportation's contribution to communities' quality of life; (2) support activities such as websites for information dissemination, training and technical assistance, peer exchanges, conferences, workshops, and sharing notable practices through case studies on livability and environmental justice; and (3) ensure that equity, access, and public engagement are fundamental principles that are researched and information on these topics are provided for all members within the community.
Potential research activities include research activities to support the guiding principles of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. The guiding principles are to: (1) Provide more transportation choices; (2) promote equitable, affordable housing; (3) enhance economic competitiveness; (4) support existing communities; (5) coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment; and (6) value communities and neighborhoods.
3. Bicycles/Pedestrians
Contact Person:
The overall goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) investigate and institutionalize the collection of bicycle and pedestrian trip/exposure data at national, state, and local levels; (2) provide technical knowledge and products needed by state and local officials in developing and implementing bicycle and pedestrian projects; (3) determine the health benefits of increased physical activity due to higher rates of bicycling and walking; (4) determine how to make the appropriate provision of bicycle and pedestrian projects a routine part of all transportation decisions; and (5) develop meaningful measures of effectiveness for bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs, such as quantifying environmental benefits due to improved walking and bicycling rates.
Potential research activities include: identifying and assessing effects of nonmotorized facilities and projects on changes in the amount of nonmotorized use; identifying mechanisms to incorporate bike and pedestrian facilities into transportation networks and to encourage their use; evaluating impacts of built environment on health; maintaining information outreach operations; delivering training and technical assistance; developing new analytical methods and use/exposure measures; conducting outreach activities; and communicating bike/pedestrian and health research results to federal, state, and local partners.
4. Noise
Contact Person: Mark.Ferroni@dot.gov
The overall goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) continue to develop the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM) to ensure that it is functional in today's changing technology; (2) provide technical knowledge to transportation agencies in conducting accurate noise analysis for determining highway traffic noise impacts as well as noise associated with construction activities; (3) determine if the FHWA TNM is capable of incorporating additional unknown variables in the noise environment, such as more specific pavement types; (4) continue to explore the various components of quieter pavements to ensure adequate and appropriate application for which policy changes will be based upon; (5) bridge the gap between planning and environmental partners to determine how noise compatible land use planning can be implemented to avoid noise impacts; (6) develop/maintain NHI training courses associated with any aspect of this emphasis area. Potential research activities include: Development and training of the FHWA TNM version 3.0
C. Environmental Process Improvement
1. Environmental Streamlining/Stewardship
Contact Person:
The overall goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) help states implement and evaluate SAFETEA-LU environmental stewardship and streamlining measures; (2) conduct interagency initiatives to implement process efficiencies and build relationships; (3) support liaisons to develop and advance innovations; and (4) develop NEPA and collaboration competency through training and technical assistance.
Potential research activities in support of this emphasis area include: developing environmental analysis techniques that incorporate geospatial technology, ecosystem science advancements, and decision support tools; developing innovative methodologies for gathering and reporting performance on SAFETEA-LU provisions including the experiments in NEPA and Categorical Exclusion delegation and environmental commitments; technical assistance on Every Day Counts Accelerated Project Delivery Initiatives; conducting pilot projects to advance Integrated Planning and Eco-Logical principles, and the livability agenda; evaluating, updating, and conducting advanced NEPA training; supporting program delivery by evaluating how environmental streamlining and stewardship is accomplished under alternative financing, procurement, and revenue generation strategies.
2. Context Sensitive Solutions
Contact Person:
The goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) support Divisions, State DOTs and other stakeholders to continue context sensitive solutions (CSS) capacity building, awareness, and implementation strategies; (2) provide outreach and assistance to agencies, non-governmental organizations, academics institutions and other partners in the development and delivery of CSS tools for supporting the livability agenda and progress on sustainable project development; (3) provide training and research that responds to the needs of planning and the environmental CSS decision-making processes; and (4) develop CSS mechanisms and market strategies for ensuring the quality of technical analysis used to support CSS decision-making meet local, state, and federal program requirements.
Potential research activities include: documenting and deploying exemplary CSS practices and case studies; evaluating CSS performance; maintaining a CSS Clearinghouse, with a website webinar series and newsletters; delivering academic and non-academic training and technical assistance at the local, state, and national levels (including web-based training); integrating CSS into planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance activities; developing tools, techniques, and procedures for use in collaborative CSS decision-making; and conducting regional and national workshops, peer exchanges, and dialogues.
2. Anticipated Research Efforts in Planning
A. Planning
1. Congestion
Contact Person:
The overall goals of this emphasis area are to manage congestion by: (1) strengthening the linkage between transportation systems management and operations and the statewide and metropolitan transportation planning, programming, and decision-making processes; (2) establishing and building upon working relationships between transportation planning agencies/practitioners and state, regional, and local operators of transportation systems; (3) developing and marketing improved and/or new analytical methods that address transportation systems management and operations strategies in transportation planning and programming processes, products, and decisions; and (4) expanding the role of Congestion Management Processes/Systems in shaping and prioritizing regional transportation improvement strategies that address congestion.
Potential research activities include: developing and deploying improved and/or new tools, techniques, and procedures; developing and delivering training, workshops, and technical assistance; facilitating communication among and between transportation planning agencies/practitioners and state, regional, and local operators of transportation systems; identifying analytical needs; and collecting and disseminating noteworthy practices for strengthening the state-of-the-practice and addressing federal program requirements.
2. Safety Planning
Contact Person:
STEP research would focus on improving safety planning by: (1) responding to the needs of planning and safety decision-making processes; and (2) helping planning agencies build their institutional capacity to integrate safety into the transportation planning and decision-making process. Potential research activities include identifying analytical needs for improved safety planning and developing tools, techniques, training and procedures for improved safety planning.
3. Freight Planning
Contact Person:
The overall goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) strengthen the linkage between freight issues and the statewide and metropolitan transportation planning, programming, and decision-making processes; (2) establish and build upon working relationships between public sector transportation agencies and freight shippers and providers of freight transportation services to ensure safe and efficient movement of freight; and (3) develop and improve analytical methods that respond to freight issues and considerations in transportation planning, programming, and decision-making. Potential research activities include: identifying analytical needs; conducting basic research; collecting and disseminating noteworthy practices for strengthening the state-of-the-practice; developing tools, techniques, and procedures; maintaining and expanding the FHWA Freight Planning website; developing and delivering training, workshops, and technical assistance; and facilitating communication among and between the public and private sectors.
B. State/Local/Tribal Planning Capacity Building
1. Public Involvement and Visualization in Planning
Contact Persons: Frederick.Bowers@dot.govSusan.Grosser@dot.gov
The goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) support State DOTs, MPOs, tribes and other stakeholders to continue capacity building for public participation in all aspects of the transportation planning process; (2) assist transportation planning agencies in developing public participation plans that are comprehensive and inclusive; (3) ensure the transportation planning process is open to all regardless of age, sex, handicap/disability, limited English proficiency, race, color, national origin, or income; and (4) provide training and research on the use of visualization techniques.
Potential research activities include: documenting and deploying exemplary public participation practices; delivering training and technical assistance; developing improved tools, techniques and procedures for incorporating visualization in planning and for increasing public involvement in the transportation planning process; providing incentives for exemplary practice; and improving data collection, monitoring, and analysis tools that assess the needs of, and analyze the potential impacts on minority, low-income and other populations.
2. Performance-based Planning
Contact Person:
This research is intended to enhance awareness of a performance-based approach to planning and programming, share best practices and methods, and improve the state of the practice for State DOT's, MPOs, and transit agencies. Performance-Based Planning and Programming (PBPP) includes identifying transportation system performance goals, performance measures, and performance targets as part of the planning process, focusing investments toward reaching those performance goals, and monitoring performance outcomes. It also involves the use of data and analytical tools to identify a baseline level of performance and to project future transportation system performance over the life of the transportation plan. Performance goal areas might include safety, state of good repair (highways and bridges), reliability, environment, freight, and other areas. Scenario planning might be used with PBPP to provide information to decision makers on the effects of various levels of investment and the tradeoffs between levels of investment and system performance. Emphasis is on multi-disciplinary collaboration between State DOTs, MPOs, and transit agencies and methods for developing and implementing a performance based approach to metropolitan and statewide long range transportation plans, and programs (STIP and TIP). Results of the research might include the development of guidebooks, peer exchanges, workshops, webinars, case studies, and training.
3. Other Activities that Support State/Local/Tribal Planning
Contact Person:
The overall goal of this emphasis area is to provide assistance, support, and resources to transportation planners as they resolve complex issues faced when addressing transportation needs in their communities. This emphasis area is targeted to (1) provide background information for State DOTs, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, local governments, tribal governments to enhance their understanding of the transportation planning process, their role within the process, and its relationship to community and societal goals; (2) strengthen transportation planning staff skills in the areas of consensus building, understanding policy guidance, and grasping the technical elements of their job; (3) provide a means for disseminating commendable examples of transportation planning practices across the nation; (4) support the linkage of transportation planning and other topic areas; and (5) provide data to support the planning process.
Potential research activities include: developing tools, techniques, procedures; providing incentives for exemplary practice; delivering training and technical assistance; conducting a peer exchange program on planning issues; supporting scenario planning and visualization, documenting and deploying interdisciplinary/interagency approaches for addressing human and natural environment; issues and interests in transportation planning processes; and integrated and multimodal planning.
C. National/International Planning
1. U.S./Canada and U.S./Mexico Border Planning
Contact Person:
The overall goal of this area is to conduct research that will help enable safe, secure and efficient movement of people and goods across the border and though the binational border area while enhancing the community and the environment. Cooperative research activities will be undertaken with the 15 land Border States, MPOs, other U.S. federal agencies and Mexico and Canada via the U.S./Mexico Joint Working Committee on Transportation Planning and Programming and the US/Canada Transportation Border Working Group. In addition support innovative solution to the border congestion issues through the U. S. Department of Transportation, Transportation Border Congestion Relief Initiative. Potential research activities include: Continuing the Green Border Initiative with other partners, developing and testing architecture for border transportation information flows; development and testing of border performance measures, develop State-to-State/Province Border Master Plans, developing binational innovative financing mechanisms for border-related improvement; identifying and assessing infrastructure needs and analyzing their impact on the binational transportation system;, assessing methods to improve and speed information exchange and environmental assessment; exploring development of enhanced modeling techniques to improve border and bi-national decision-making; and developing binational border transportation performance measures. This research also supports the U.S./Mexico 21st Century Border Intiative (www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/declaration-government-united-states-america-and-government-united-mexican-states-c ) and the U.S. Canada Beyond the Border (http://www.dhs.gov/action-plan).
2. National Security, Defense and Interstate Planning
Contact Person:
Needs and research for this emphasis area include ways to provide analyses and assessments of the National Highway System that support defense planning, environmental decision-making, and further economic development through implementation of transportation projects.
3. Anticipated Research Efforts in Real Estate Services
1. Real Estate Program Stewardship
Contact Person: Carolyn.James@dot.gov
The goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) develop and support partnerships with the Divisions, State DOTs, and other stakeholders to continue to build program awareness and develop strategies that advance Real Estate Services program stewardship and delivery: (2) develop improved/innovative methods of acquiring real estate, developing appraisals and reviewing appraisals, providing relocation assistance and implementing property management for public projects subject to the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970(42 USC 46010), (Uniform Act): and (3) promote and enhance program stewardship activities including development of capacity building tools, developing and providing technical assistance tools and developing and providing training tools. Potential research activities in support of this emphasis area include assessing and developing improved tools, techniques and procedures for real estate services program innovation, delivery and stewardship; and identifying and developing innovative information sharing methods among practitioners.
4. Anticipated Research Efforts in Tools to Support Planning and Environment
Research Areas
1. Travel Modeling
Contact Person:
The overall goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) develop and improve analytical methods which respond to the needs of the planning and environmental decision-making processes; (2) deploy these methods to planning agencies; (3) help agencies build their institutional capacity to develop and deliver traveler related information to support transportation and planning decisions; and (4) develop mechanisms to ensure the quality of transportation technical analysis used to support decision-making at the local, state and federal levels.
Potential research activities include: basic research on time of day, non-motorized and freight needs in the modeling process; developing tools, techniques and procedures for surface transportation analysis; supporting deployment of research products and modifying research products based on applications experience; supporting peer reviews of model applications and identifying where research products can enhance model development and application; conducting outreach to make agencies aware of innovative modeling techniques and modeling issues in general; supporting regional and national peer exchanges; and identifying analytic needs to be addressed by the research program.
2. GIS and Spatial Information for Improved Decision-Making
Contact Person: Mark.Sarmiento@dot.gov
The goal of this emphasis area is to improve and support transportation decision-making through application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This research will focus on: (1) disseminating knowledge about geospatial technologies; (2) encouraging State DOTs and federal/state resource agencies to foster partnerships and exchange data, ideas, tools, and methodologies that will result in improved decision-making; (3) supporting GIS activities; and (4) cultivating cutting-edge application of GIS/Spatial information for transportation to improve the decision-making process and enhance the quality of the decision.
Potential research activities include: mining applications of geospatial technology and assessing their effectiveness for transportation; identifying emerging geospatial technology that will be implemented in the next 5 years; identifying effective business models and public-private partnerships to support enhanced GIS in transportation; address cutting edge technology such as 3D GIS and new analysis tools to address data fusion, developing focus areas for future initiatives to enhance transportation decision- making and the uses of geospatial technologies; and conducting collaborative workshops and training; and working with committees of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and other stakeholders.
5. Program Management and Outreach
1. Program Management and Outreach
Contact Person:
The goals of this emphasis area are to: (1) assess and facilitate the implementation of the STEP; (2) provide resources to support the dissemination of information related to the STEP; and (3) support stakeholder outreach associated with the STEP; and (4) develop tools to disseminate research results.
Potential activities include: program support; website; workshops; peer reviews; scans; training; technical assistance; presentations; publications; conferences; and symposia.
2. Financial Management and Program Assistance
Contact Person:
The goal of this emphasis area is to provide financial management and program assistance for planning and environment discretionary program initiatives, which include the National Scenic Byways Program; the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program; and the Delta Region Transportation Development Program. Potential activities include: conducting surveys and analyzing the findings.
Proposed Framework
Figure 2: This figure illustrates the proposed framework for STEP research. The framework corresponds to the implementation timeline found in the next section. Major products for which FHWA will seek public and stakeholder feedback are bolded in Figure 2. The figure reads from top to bottom and is an annual cycle.
At this time, FHWA is requesting suggestions for the lines of research that should be pursued within each emphasis area. For example, stakeholders who have an interest in the "Tools to Support Environment and Planning" emphasis area might suggest ways to identify business models to enhance transportation decision-making using geospatial data. Feedback on suggested lines of research for the FY 2013 STEP Research Plan were submitted by September 28, 2012 via the feedback system on the STEP website.
FHWA does not seek specific, detailed research proposals and discourages researchers from submitting proposals of that nature. Rather, the FHWA staff that serve as contacts for each emphasis area will work with stakeholders to identify and prioritize lines of research within each area and to subsequently develop specific work activities.
The following is a proposed timeline for the implementation of STEP:
| Winter | FHWA begins to implement current fiscal year, through appropriate procurement methods, agreements and partnerships (may shift depending on appropriations). |
|---|---|
| Spring/Summer | The Office of Planning, Environment and Realty (HEP) refines the STEP Implementation Strategy/Goals/Emphasis Areas; publishes the Federal Register Notice and updates the STEP website information to solicit feedback on the next fiscal year STEP activities. HEP conducts outreach for the next fiscal year by emphasis area, reviews research needs and identifies gaps. |
| Spring/Summer | HEP develops priorities for and funds critical research. HEP develops the next draft fiscal year STEP Plan for comment. |
| Fall/Winter | HEP posts the current fiscal year plan on the STEP website (may shift depending on appropriations). |
Several stakeholders expressed an interest in the ways in which they can provide input. Within the proposed framework for implementing STEP, FHWA envisions several key points in the process where various forms of stakeholder input will be needed. These will likely include, but not be limited to:
A variety of opportunities for stakeholder feedback, input and advice for STEP will occur. FHWA envisions a variety of stakeholder input opportunities that will vary by emphasis area.
Within STEP, FHWA anticipates that requests for proposals or other competitive contracting mechanisms, including broad agency announcements for grants and cooperative agreements to conduct research, will be developed to address emphasis areas. FHWA intends to encourage development of proposals for potential cooperative and jointly funded projects using a variety of competitive arrangements. Therefore, unsolicited proposals will not be the likely mechanism for receiving funding under STEP. However, as with any research envisioned by external parties, FHWA receives unsolicited proposals through an existing formal FHWA process (see "A Guide to Federal Highway Administration Policies and Procedures for Submitting Unsolicited Proposals", https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/aaa/gtup.cfm.)
FHWA expects to follow the same, or a very similar, timeline as described in Section VII above. The timeline, and any updates or revisions will also be posted on the STEP website to inform stakeholders of key points in time when they can provide input.
Feedback on suggested lines of research for the proposed FY 2013 STEP Research Plan were submitted on or before 90 days after date of publication in the Federal Register via the feedback system on the STEP website.
