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FY 2010 Annual Report

Appendix B

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.

Research Highlights

STEP emphasis area contacts and program staff identified research activities for FY2010 based on stakeholder feedback and other national priorities. A summary table is provided below. Complete descriptions of each research activity recommended in FY2010 can be found on the STEP website at /hep/step/resources/research_plans/fy2010rp.cfm.

STEP funds contributed to substantial advancements in research and tools to support transportation planning and the environment. In addition, STEP research projects have leveraged funds from other sources to complete this work. Several emphasis areas were involved in successful cost-sharing partnerships.

Descriptions of FY2010 research accomplishments by emphasis area, including those funded with FY2006, FY2007, FY2008, or FY2009 funds, are listed below. These descriptions include accomplishments from both short-term and ongoing projects. The total budget for an emphasis area may not equal the sum of individual projects described in this report, as some projects started in FY2010 but are not yet complete and some accomplishments occurred in FY2010 but were funded in prior years.

Emphasis Areas Related to Environment

Air Quality and Climate Change

Emphasis Area Contacts: Cecilia Ho and Diane Turchetta

Level of FY2010 Funding: $1,585,000

• Air Quality and Climate Change Research Outreach and Communication. (FY2010: $235,000). This research effort enhanced outreach and communication activities for the climate change and air quality focus area. As part of this research, FHWA published a monthly newsletter on air quality and transportation conformity, completed and released a brochure entitled Transportation Conformity: Linking Transportation and Air Quality, and revised the Transportation Conformity: A Basic Guide for State and Local Officials. FHWA added these documents to the FHWA air quality website available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/.

  FHWA also identified and shared conformity best practices and initiated a complete update of the Transportation Conformity Reference Guide. Additional activities included presentation and delivery of STEP research results at key venues and conferences.

• Health Effects Institute (HEI). (FY2010: $100,000; Prior Year Funding: $100,000). HEI released a number of reports, developed requests for proposals, and released the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. FHWA attended HEI's annual meeting and coordinated an HEI briefing for headquarters staff and the Transportation Research Board's (TRB) air quality sub-committee.
• National Near Road Mobile Source Air Toxics Study. (FY2010: $125,000; Prior Year Funding: $2,315,000). FHWA completed the project's data collection and monitoring effort in Las Vegas, Nevada, and began monitoring in Detroit, Michigan. FHWA will soon release its final report for Las Vegas.
• Air Quality Analysis Support. (FY2010: $250,000). FHWA developed an inter-agency agreement with the USDOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center to provide technical support on various air quality and emissions analysis tasks, including implementation of the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) model and air quality dispersion models such as the AERMOD model.
• Smart State Transportation Initiative. (FY2010: $750,000). USDOT provided funding for the Smart State Transportation Initiative to work directly with governors and State executives to develop, promote, and implement innovative State and regional initiatives, including transportation, environment, and economic development. As part of this project, FHWA and the USDOT's Office of the Secretary of Transportation:
  • Developed a statement of work with the University of Wisconsin;
  • Advertised requests for an application;
  • Reviewed and awarded a contract;
  • Conducted a kick-off meeting;
  • Commented on the project plan; and
  • Convened the first community of practice.

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Improving Vehicle Fleet, Activity, and Emissions Data for On-Road Mobile Sources Emissions Inventories. (Prior Year Funding: $340,000). As part of this research effort, FHWA:
  • Reviewed state-of-the-practice information and identified limits in estimating vehicle fleet data for on-road vehicles and operating heavy-duty truck vehicles;
  • Evaluated use of vehicle identification number decoders in conjunction with license plate surveys and vehicle registration databases to derive vehicle fleet data;
  • Evaluated the use of electronic control modules data to derive truck activity data;
  • Developed data fusion methods to combine truck activity data from multiple sources; and
  • Measured emissions from heavy-duty trucks with various loaded vehicle weights.
• Modifying Link-Level Emissions Modeling Procedures for Applications within the MOVES Framework. (Prior Year Funding: $142,008). Through this research effort, FHWA developed methods for converting data for use with the MOVES model and provided general information regarding anticipated emission inventory changes related to the MOBILE6 model. FHWA also identified additional data collection and research needs to fully utilize the modeling capabilities of MOVES and documented lessons learned from transitioning from MOBILE6 to MOVES.
• Advances in Project-Level Analysis. (Prior Year Funding: $109,000). Through this research project, FHWA developed usable tools that can assist transportation and air quality modelers in preparing project-level emissions analysis that take advantage of MOVES model capabilities. Using the tools developed through this project, users will be able to examine Vehicle Specific Power (VSP) profile files, obtain information on the methodology used to create them, and explore lessons learned. The final product will include a demonstrating methodology using micro-simulation modeling output to create VSP profiles as inputs to MOVES model under two scenarios: 1) a series of congested conditions for different facility types (e.g., volume/capacity ratios of 0.7 to 1.2); and 2) conditions typical of intermodal and port facilities.
• Evaluating Traffic, Emission, and Dispersion Characteristics Related to Categorical Hot-Spot Findings. (Prior Year Funding: $94,430). As part of this project, FHWA assessed and performed emissions and dispersion analysis using MOVES, CAL3QHCR, and AERMOD models in both prototypical highway projects and specific case study settings. FHWA will also conduct an assessment of the expected range and sensitivity of emissions and concentrations that may be expected with MOVES and AERMOD/CAL3QHCR. The modeling results may provide the basis for hot-spot categorical findings for fine particle matter (PM2.5), particulate matter (PM10), and carbon monoxide.
• Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) Air Quality Work Group. (Prior Year Funding: $98,327.21). FHWA supported AMPO's Air Quality Work Group, which was first created in 2002. The group met several times, both in person and via teleconference, to discuss several major air quality issues, including:
  • EPA's conformity rulemaking and guidance documents for PM and ozone areas;
  • New ozone and PM standards; and
  • MOVES implementation issues.

  AMPO has also been instrumental in bringing air quality and transportation planners together to exchange information and share and document best practices in areas such as transportation conformity, air quality planning for State implementation plans, and implementation of EPA's final version of the MOVES emissions model.

• Regional Climate Change Effects: Useful Information for Transportation Agencies. (Prior Year Funding: $50,000). This effort completed a report that serves as a resource for decision-makers to address climate change challenges. The report filled an important gap by providing the transportation community with information on climate change and the range of future changes in a usable format. It also presented the most up-to-date information available and is an ideal starting point for transportation professionals seeking to understand how climate change may affect transportation systems and infrastructure. The report is available at /environment/climate_change/adaptation/publications_and_tools/climate_effects/.

Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat

Emphasis Area Contact: Marlys Osterhues

Level of FY2010 Funding: $1,070,000

• Study of Ecosystem Corridors in the U.S. Northern Rockies. (FY2010: $250,000). FHWA provided funding to USFWS for a multi-year interagency effort to identify and help secure landscape-scale highway crossing opportunity areas for multiple wildlife species in the interstate areas of the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Idaho. The goals of this research were to: 1) improve the safety of the traveling public by facilitating safe wildlife movement across highways and to reduce animal/vehicle collisions; 2) improve and assist FHWA and State DOT activities associated with planning, project development, construction, maintenance, and operation of Federal-aid transportation projects; and 3) produce a template and protocol for data-based identification of highway crossing opportunity areas that can be applied to highways in other areas.
• Supporting Peer and Research Exchange at Conferences, Workshops, and Technical Panels. (FY2010: $4,000; Prior Year Funding: $101,000). FHWA supported peer and research exchange by providing funding support to develop or host the following conferences and award programs:
  • 2010 Weeds Across Borders Conference;
  • 2010 Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference;
  • 2010 National Wetlands Award Program;
  • 2010 National Mitigation and Ecosystem Banking Conference;
  • 2010 National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration;
  • 2011 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation; and the
  • 2011 Environmental Excellence Awards Program.

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Research and Innovation Agreements with USFWS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). (Prior Year Funding: $595,000). FHWA continued support for two research and innovation agreements. The agreements and resulting accomplishments are described in more detail below:
  1. An existing research and innovation agreement with USWFS was extended for an additional year. The purpose of the agreement is to conduct research and promote innovation in the highway program with respect to fish and wildlife laws. In FY2010, the results of this research effort included continued coordination with USFWS transportation contacts in regional and field offices to keep all levels of USFWS personnel updated on transportation issues, Every Day Counts (EDC) initiatives, pilot projects, webinars, workshops, conferences, and training opportunities. These efforts enhanced interagency coordination and supported development of training capabilities that promoted early coordination between FHWA, USFWS, and State DOTs.
  2. FHWA created a new research and innovation agreement with USACE and hired a new employee to fill a vacant liaison position. The goals of the liaison position and agreement were to:
     • Help develop programmatic guidance;
     • Facilitate implementation of process improvements;
     • Allow full engagement of the liaison in all coordination activities; and
     • Develop training capabilities that promote early coordination and partnering efforts between USACE districts, FHWA, and State DOTs.

  The agreement focused on applicable statutory USACE responsibilities under the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act by building a robust, internal transportation "community of practice" (COP) to facilitate information exchange, technology transfer, and identification of research and guidance needs. USACE conducted quarterly teleconferences within the transportation COP (with 97 project managers, supervisors and district chiefs) to advance solutions and promote inter-district sharing of innovative thinking and best practices for improving the efficiency of application review, while ensuring environmental protection and promoting environmental stewardship. These calls provided opportunity for the identification of potential programmatic issues for interagency discussion. In addition, USACE attendance and participation at each EDC summit and at the Eco-Logical symposium, including USACE speakers, was coordinated to ensure interagency collaboration and transparency on all policy initiatives.

• Specific Research to Address Threatened and Endangered Species Concerns on Regional and National Basis. (Prior Year Funding: $10,000). FHWA initiated development of a pile driving handbook. The objective of this effort was to provide FHWA and State DOT engineers, biologists, and consultants with state-of-the-practice information for avoiding and minimizing environmental hazards related to in-water pile driving projects. The handbook will be a web-based booklet that is easy to update and search.
• Wildlife Usage of Wetland Mitigation Areas and Percentage of Invasive Species in Reference Sites as a Performance Standard for Wetland Mitigation. (Prior Year Funding: $125,000). This effort researched whether invasive species percentages that are stated in wetland permit conditions are realistic in comparison to natural reference wetlands. This research identified techniques used for invasive species control and costs associated with these techniques. This effort will produce a research paper and an executive summary in cooperation with USACE and EPA. This study also documented wildlife usage of wetland mitigation areas to determine if mitigation sites provide habitat value that is comparable to reference wetlands.
• International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Database. (Prior Year Funding: $50,000). FHWA continued support of the International Stormwater BMP Database. As part of this activity, FHWA collaborated with a coalition of organizations, including EPA, the Water Environment Research Foundation, the American Public Works Association, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. This research effort and the database provided currently available information on BMPs for use in selecting, designing, and assessing the performance of stormwater management facilities. Operation and maintenance work continued on the database clearinghouse and webpage. The long-term goal of the database is to collect sufficient information to permit improvements in BMP designs to better match selection of BMPs to stormwater challenges within a watershed. Significant project accomplishments included the following:
  1. Added new information to the database, which now includes over 300 studies;
  2. Conducted new data analysis;
  3. Upgraded website to improve navigation based on user type and improved data retrieval tools; and
  4. Simplified data entry.

  The project also continued to distribute findings from the database and remained a reliable source of information. This ongoing research is currently accessible through the BMP database at http://www.bmpdatabase.org.

• Optimizing Management of Highway Right-of-Way (ROW) for Environmental Benefit. (Prior Year Funding: $70,000). FHWA published a report describing the status of biological carbon sequestration in the National Highway System (NHS). The report included the first data-driven estimates of ROW acres along the NHS, as well as estimates of currently sequestered carbon and the potential for additional sequestration using native vegetation. A decision-support tool was developed to help State DOTs determine how much carbon could be sequestered in States, along with associated revenues and expenses. The report is available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/climate_change/mitigation/publications_and_tools/carbon_sequestration/
• Improvements to Fish and Wildlife Habitat Connectivity. (Prior Year Funding: $85,000). FHWA undertook four important activities related to improving fish and wildlife connectivity. These activities included the following accomplishments:
  1. Provided funding to support post-construction evaluation of wildlife features on U.S. Highway 93 (U.S. 93) on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana. The U.S. 93 project represents one of the most extensive wildlife-sensitive highway design efforts in North America. The reconstruction of the 56-mile road section includes the installation of 42 fish and wildlife crossing structures and approximately 16.6 miles of wildlife exclusion fencing. The magnitude of the U.S. 93 reconstruction project and associated mitigation measures provide an unprecedented opportunity to evaluate the extent to which mitigation measures help:
     • Improve safety through a reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions;
     • Maintain habitat connectivity for wildlife (especially deer and black bear); and
     • Assess monetary costs and benefits for mitigation measures.
  2. Provided initial funding to support EPA's efforts to develop a Watershed Resource Registry (WRR) to assist in the implementation of Clean Water Act Sections 319, 401, 402, and 404. The WRR is a tool that evaluates watershed conditions and creates a database of watershed sites to protect high-quality resources, restoration of impaired resources, and the establishment of treatment systems and BMPs. FHWA is currently developing a methodology for further developing the WRR and integrating its use into existing policy and regulation. A pilot effort in southwestern Maryland will help to generate this broad-based methodology. In FY2010, the WRR team accomplished the following tasks:
     • Developed eight draft ecological opportunity models: 1) wetland preservation; 2) wetland restoration; 3) wetland enhancement; 4) riparian zone preservation; 5) riparian zone restoration; 6) upland preservation; 7) upland reforestation; and 8) stormwater management;
     • Developed methodology and conducted field assessment for several of the models;
     • Developed a draft interactive website with a mapping tool; and
     • Conducted numerous outreach activities via meetings and newsletter articles.
  3. Provided additional funds to enhance FHWA's existing online tool to streamline the process for preparing and submitting complete Biological Assessments (BAs) under Section 7 of the Federal Endangered Species Act. The enhancements initiated in FY2010 will ensure the usefulness and effectiveness of the site as a result of increased demands for trainings, sample BAs, Biological Opinions (BOs), and Letters of Concurrence (LCs), as well as site maintenance and updates. A collection of best practices and resources composed of examples of BAs, BOs and LCs gathered from State DOTs, FHWA and other agencies will be developed to better prepare website users for the Section 7 BA process. The tool is intended for use on projects where FHWA is the lead Federal agency. For more information, visit http://esafhwa.org/.
  4. Completed an online wildlife-vehicle collision reduction training course for the wildlife-vehicle collision reduction study. The study is the last product required under SAFETEA-LU. The training module is available at https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_topics/topics_home.aspx.

Historic Preservation

Emphasis Area Contact: MaryAnn Naber

Level of FY2010 Funding: $225,000

• Research and Innovation Agreement with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). (FY2010: $16,400; Prior Year Funding: $58,725). FHWA continued its support for an existing research and innovation agreement with ACHP. This agreement specified regular quarterly meetings and has resulted in significant progress on new and updated statewide programmatic agreements. Six additional statewide programmatic agreements were concluded in 2010 for a total of 44 statewide agreements in place. Several existing agreements were also updated over the past year. The research agreement with the ACHP has fostered closer coordination on complex undertakings. Research gathered throughout the year was used to enhance the ACHP website by providing specific case studies, best practices, and guidance information on FHWA program issues. It was also used to implement research and demonstration projects to resolve complex consultation issues.

Bicycles/Pedestrians

Emphasis Area Contact: Gabe Rousseau

Level of FY2010 Funding:$375,000

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Public Policies for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety and Mobility. (Prior Year Funding: $30,000). As a follow-up to an international scan on pedestrian and bicycle safety and mobility, this research effort developed a policy review report to identify noteworthy practices and communicate findings and recommendations from the scan. The report is available at http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl10028/.
• National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse's (NTEC) Summary of Nationwide Spending as of FY2009 Report. (Prior Year Funding: $100,000). FHWA developed a cooperative agreement for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to operate NTEC. NTEC increases the transparency of a complex program, promotes best practices, and provides citizens and policy-makers with an opportunity to learn how States have used transportation enhancement (TE) program funding. In FY2010, NTEC prepared the Summary of Nationwide Spending as of FY2009 report, which is part of an annual series of national spending reports. The report provides insight into TE spending at the national and State levels and helps agency staff, policy makers, professionals, and citizens better understand and maximize the benefits that can be derived from TE activities. The report is available at http://www.enhancements.org/download/Spending_Report/TE_Spending_Report_FY09.pdf.

  NTEC also published the TE Corner newsletter, provided technical assistance to the public, and organized the annual TE Professional Seminar for FHWA and State TE managers.

Noise

Emphasis Area Contact: Mark Ferroni

Level of FY2010 Funding: $590,000

• Highway Traffic Noise: Research, Training and Communication. (FY2010: $590,000). FHWA continued ongoing development of the traffic noise model (TNM) 3.0 and expects a beta version to be completed by September 2011. Development of a web-based course on the FHWA TNM is expected to begin in November 2011 after environmental development and delivery by the National Highway Institute (NHI) and after Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts are awarded.

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Tire/Pavement Noise Measurements: Temperature Effects Study. (Prior Year Funding: $30,000). A research effort on the effects of temperature on tire and pavement noise measurement was completed and a draft report is being developed. Once finalized, the report will receive an FHWA publication number and will be posted on the FHWA noise website. The FHWA highway traffic noise website is available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/.

Outdoor Advertising Control

Emphasis Area Contact: Mary Jane Daluge

Level of FY2010 Funding: $150,000

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Neutral Assessment of the National Outdoor Advertising Control (OAC) Program National Policy Dialogue. (Prior Year Funding: $150,000). FHWA conducted two workshops with stakeholders in Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.), and Denver, Colorado, to develop a definition of customary maintenance. The National Association of Highway Beautification Agencies vetted the definition and FHWA considered comments that were received. A decision has not yet been made on the final definition or means of issuing it.
• Possible Driver Attention Effects of Commercial Electronic Variable Message Signs (CEVMS). (Prior Year Funding: $250,000). FHWA conducted research on CEVMS and driver attention, including evaluating potential risks to safety through actual field measurement of driver behavior, such as eye movement and possible traffic conflict. The Phase 1 report was issued and Phase 2 (focusing on field data collection) was completed in Reading, Pennsylvania, and in Richmond, Virginia. A draft report is currently under review and a final report will be released to the public when completed.

Real Estate Program Stewardship

Emphasis Area Contact: Carolyn James

Level of FY2010 Funding: $460,000

• Support of Stakeholder and Partner Outreach and Informational Dissemination Programs. (FY2010: $220,000). FHWA supported two national ROW meetings attended by OAC and ROW professionals. FHWA continued to support and monitor a well-regarded and well-utilized online community of practice; it also updated and upgraded the real estate website at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/research/.

• Coordination with Railroads to Facilitate Acquisition of ROW. (FY2010: $150,000). FHWA received stakeholder survey results and marketed the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) renewal project 16 railroad mitigation strategies at the 2010 Rail Corridor Safety Conference in Tacoma, Washington. FHWA, TRB, and the SHRP2 team met to finalize the SHRP2 implementation plan. The research project will use information from the meeting to formulate the scope of work for the project.

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Identification and Development of Local Public Agency (LPA) Stewardship Tools and Techniques. (Prior Year Funding: $150,000). FHWA developed an NHI instructor-led course, which will be utilized to address ROW aspects of the LPA program. The course was successfully piloted with a stakeholder group in Phoenix, Arizona, and NHI will launch it in 2011.

• Development of a ROW Competency Navigator and Capacity Building and Online Training Curriculum Clearinghouse. (Prior Year Funding: $55,000). The ROW Competency Navigator was posted online and is available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/rcb_navigator/. FHWA continued to work on improving the website based on feedback received from the ROW navigator steering committee and users of the tool.

• ROW, Design-Build, and Acquisition Models. (Prior Year Funding: $75,000). FHWA hosted a ROW/Design-Build peer exchange in Austin, Texas, which was attended by participants from FHWA, State DOTs, and the International Right of Way Association. Results from the peer exchange are available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/right-of-way/design-build/alternative_contracting/dbaltcont00.cfm. FHWA also hosted several web conferences to disseminate information.

• Business Relocation Retrospective Study. (Prior Year Funding: $190,000). FHWA secured approval to conduct the retrospective study as well as an information collection request number from the Office of Management and Budget. A contract was awarded. The stakeholder group convened and consulted to finalize the effort's work plan. Research is underway.

• Integrating Visualization Technologies into ROW Processes. (Prior Year Funding: $75,000). Interviews were conducted with visualization adapters and users.FHWA completed a draft report and the program office reviewed and requested revisions. The contractor is currently reviewing and completing revisions.

Environmental Streamlining/Stewardship

Emphasis Area Contact: Shari Schaftlein

Level of FY2010 Funding: $1,663,500

• Guidance on Considering Adaptations to Climate Change in Project Development and Environmental Review. (FY2010: $100,000). FHWA initiated work to support development of a guidance document titled Considering Adaptation to Climate Change in Project Development and Environmental Review.

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Improving Project Delivery through the EDC Initiative. (Prior Year Funding: $350,000). FHWA initiated EDC, a comprehensive initiative to shorten project delivery, accelerate the use of advanced technologies, and go greener. Through the shortening project delivery component, six EDC activities focused on advancing innovations associated with the environmental review process:
  1. Researched use of in-lieu fee and mitigation banking;
  2. Continued Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL);
  3. Enhanced technical assistance on environmental impact statements;
  4. Expanded use of programmatic agreements;
  5. Clarified the scope of preliminary design; and
  6. Assessed flexibility in current ROW practices and procedures.

  Additionally:

• FHWA facilitated peer exchanges on the EDC initiative through a headquarters/field office (Division Office) partnership meeting in Denver, Colorado, to discuss advancement of initiatives;
• FHWA facilitated two peer exchanges in Washington, D.C., with Federal resource and regulatory agencies to discuss and inform participants on project delivery innovations; and
• FHWA and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) prepared for the delivery of ten regional summits held in the fall of 2010.
• Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL). (Prior Year Funding: $165,000). In FY2010, FHWA focused on two primary avenues to promote PEL:
  1. Technical assistance and training. In FY2010, FHWA advanced the adoption of PEL initiatives nationwide through the following focused workshops, trainings, and peer exchanges:
     • Structured, Transparent, Accountable, Reproducible, Sustainable (STARS) workshops. STARS workshops were designed to promote the exchange of ideas, data, tools, concepts, and methods for better collaboration and information exchange between transportation planners and environmental practitioners in support of earlier consideration of environmental data and information in the transportation planning process. In FY2010, FHWA conducted two STARS workshops in California and Mississippi.
     • The Integrated Planning Work Group. This work group developed outreach, training, and tools in three key areas: transportation planning, Eco-Logical, and tiering, corridor, and sub-area studies. The working group hosted a webinar entitled "The Role of Resource Agencies in Transportation Planning" in August 2010 and a peer exchange on "Using Corridor Planning to Inform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)" in December 2009.
     • PEL 101 webcasts. During FY2010, FHWA hosted three webcasts.
  2. Outreach and communication. These activities increased the development and dissemination of resources for stakeholders to use in understanding and implementing PEL activities.

  For more information on PEL initiatives, see the FY2010 Annual Report at https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/pel/annualreport_2010.aspx.

• Research and Innovation Agreements with EPA. (Prior Year Funding: $173,000). FHWA continued an existing research and innovation agreement with the EPA Office of Water within EPA's headquarters' offices. The agreement established a research and innovation liaison position. In FY2010, this agreement accomplished the following:
  • Established a Transportation Team within the EPA Office of Water;
  • Conducted regular EPA-wide transportation peer exchanges including webinars, conference calls, and information sharing;
  • Supported FHWA initiatives, such as EDC and PEL, with EPA staff;
  • Supported and participated in TRB and AASHTO's Standing Committee on the Environment research, such as SHRP2 capacity project 6, unpaved roads, and relevant committees and conferences;
  • Generated information and dialogue regarding ongoing Clean Water Act rule-makings such as those related to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting and waters of the U.S.; and
  • Directed EPA Office of Water funding for applied research on best management practices for de-icing agents, low impact development/green infrastructure for roadways, and related meetings and conferences.
• Environmental Streamlining Outreach and Technology Transfer. (Prior Year Funding: $97,000). This research effort made substantial investments in developing methods, tools, and techniques to improve the quality and efficiency of environmental decision-making. Through this effort, FHWA supported several ongoing technology transfer and outreach initiatives. FHWA's accomplishments from these initiatives in FY2010 are listed below:
  1. Maintained and updated the online Environmental Review Toolkit, which has received 192,048 unique visits. The toolkit is available at https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/default.aspx.
  2. Published 12 issues of Successes in Stewardship, a newsletter that highlights current environmental streamlining practices from around the country. The newsletter is available at https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/Pubs_resources_tools/publications/SIS.aspx.
  3. Supported the American Society of Civil Engineers' Green Streets and Highways Conference. The conference focused on sustainable transportation activities through sharing information on leading-edge environmental stewardship and sustainability principles and practices.
  4. Participated in SHRP2 capacity project 6A and 6B research workshops in Boulder, Colorado.
• Environmental Conflict Resolution. (Prior Year Funding: $155,000). FHWA supported three important activities to build transportation stakeholders' capacities in collaboration and environmental conflict resolution. Accomplishments from these activities are listed below:
  1. FHWA supported the National Policy Consensus Center's collaboration forum in Portland, Oregon, to vet and share lessons learned in efforts to coordinate transportation and land use decision-making. Representatives from metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in Denver, Colorado; San Diego, California; Seattle, Washington; and Portland, Oregon, attended the forum, along with university researchers and Federal and State officials. Participants discussed the implications of best practices for local, State, and national policy.
  2. FHWA provided additional support to the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution (USIECR) through an existing inter-agency agreement to access the full range of environmental conflict resolution services that USIECR offers. These services include consultation, onsite programmatic review and training, case analysis, conflict assessment, process design convening, and neutral selection. Additional services include facilitation, mediation, program development, roster maintenance, evaluation assistance, consultation with senior mediators, and project management to assist in resolving environmental- and natural resource-related disputes.
  3. FHWA provided a third-party neutral facilitator for a partnering session on the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Project, a complex transportation project in the New York City metropolitan area. This project involves the rehabilitation and improvement of rail freight networks that connect the entire new east corridor. The neutral third-party facilitated the partnering session and assisted lead agency representatives in an open and constructive discussion on a number of complex and controversial issues.
• Advancing Innovations in FHWA's Environmental Review Process. (Prior Year Funding: $507,000). FHWA undertook a number of initiatives to advance innovations in the environmental review process. FHWA's accomplishments from these initiatives are listed below:
  1. Monitored and documented the impact of the SAFETEA-LU environmental review process;
  2. Compiled an internal report on the effectiveness of SAFETEA-LU Section 6002 environmental provisions;
  3. Continued the development of performance measurement systems, including the Environmental Document Tracking System, to gather data on timeliness and project management;
  4. Supported the development of a training course on the consideration of environmental factors in construction;
  5. Conducted a fifth onsite audit of Caltrans under a pilot program. This activity included audit planning, preparing the audit team, developing logistics for the onsite audit, and interviewing Caltrans staff. The audit also involved reviewing documents, compiling and finalizing the findings, and drafting and finalizing the audit report;
  6. Provided funding to support the development of a strategic conservation plan using a green infrastructure assessment approach that links conservation and transportation planning in the north tier region of Pennsylvania; and
  7. Provided continuing support for the Section 4(f) implementation study team to assist in developing a Phase II Report to Congress on the implementation of Section 4(f) statute changes.
• Linking Eco-Logical to Project Development. (Prior Year Funding: $165,000). In FY2010, FHWA completed the Eco-Logical grant program annual report, shared it with the signatory resource agencies, and posted it on the Eco-Logical website at https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/eco-logical.aspx.

  This annual report, which documents the progress, successes, and challenges of each of the 15 Eco-Logical grant projects, presents lessons learned during the second year of the Eco-Logical grant program (January-December 2009). The report summarizes the progress of each pilot project and provides findings about the grant implementation processes, relationships between grant recipients and their partners, and execution of the Eco-Logical approach. Additional activities in FY2010 included the following:

  • In cooperation with the signatory resource agencies, FHWA began the development of an informational brochure demonstrating Eco-Logical similarities between several collective programs and efforts;
  • FHWA commenced a study of one of the first known Eco-Logical pilot projects, Montana's Integrated Transportation and Ecological Enhancements for Montana process;
  • FHWA and Eco-Logical grantees made several presentations relating to Eco-Logical at conferences and meetings across the country;
  • FHWA provided additional funding to one of the Eco-Logical grantees, the Illinois Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, to complete its regional transportation, ecosystem, and land use integration plan.

Context Sensitive Solutions

Emphasis Area Contact: Shari Schaftlein

Level of FY2010 Funding: $500,000

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Clearinghouse. (Prior Year Funding: $350,000). Since FHWA initiated the new CSS Clearinghouse concept, CSS has made substantial progress as a tool for efficient program delivery. The concept has also led to the development of quality projects in support of livable communities and sustainable transportation. The CSS Clearinghouse successfully raised the profile of FHWA's CSS initiative and reached out to other organizations to leverage resources and build new partnerships. The Clearinghouse Professional Seminar Series hosted three webinars on the following topics:
  • Review of the Institute of Transportation Engineers(ITE) CSS Urban Thoroughfares Manual (March 2010; 253 registrants);
  • Leveraging CSS investments to achieve livability (May 2010; 285 registrants); and
  • Review of the FHWA livability manual (June 2010; 298 registrants).

  In addition to these webinars, FHWA distributed two newsletters that focused on the CSS National Dialog, the STEP, livability, and sustainability. FHWA also added new content and features to its CSS website, including 131 case studies, 59 calendar items, 60 news items, 20 publications, new discussion forums, a new section highlighting existing content already within the clearinghouse, and a new section to house videos. Over 180 practitioners registered to receive website updates, adding to the list of hundreds of users who have already registered to receive updates on the webinars and other activities. Additionally, all 50 State DOTs updated their CSS activities profiles. The CSS website is available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/css/.

• Disseminate CSS Outreach Project. (Prior Year Funding: $150,000). In 2009, FHWA provided funding support to ITE to develop a guidebook on CSS for walkable urban thoroughfares. The guidebook, which was adopted as a proposed recommended practice by ITE, is available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/css/resources/urbantfwc/. FHWA also provided additional funding to ITE to support development of a coordinated plan, materials, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and webinars for outreach to build awareness of the guidebook and its documentation of good practices. Materials include, but are not limited to, case examples, fact sheets, and documentation of conference presentations.
• CSS Targeted Technical Assistance. (Prior Year Funding: $150,000). FHWA offered customized CSS technical assistance to several States, including Oregon, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, California, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, and New Mexico. For each State that received technical assistance, the consultant team prepared a packet of documentation that contained:
  • A summary of the challenges the State DOT faced in implementing CSS;
  • Information on how the offered technical assistance addressed these needs and contributed to the State's overall progress; and
  • Lessons learned from the process to serve as examples to other State DOTs that might want to adapt these approaches to their own needs.
• CSS National Dialog. (Prior Year Funding: $100,000). A final report, the CSS National Dialog, was completed in summer 2010 and is available at http://www.cssnationaldialog.org/. The report describes five CSS workshops and the case studies highlighted through these workshops. A national webcast served as a capstone event for the project. These efforts built awareness and support for a growing, broad, and interdisciplinary community of practice. The approach used in this phase of the overall National Dialog initiative provides an outstanding point of departure to continue the CSS conversation.

Emphasis Areas Related to Planning

Congestion

Emphasis Area Contact: Harlan Miller

Level of FY2010 Funding: $500,000

• Innovative Methods of Applying Analysis Tools in Planning for Operations. (FY2010: $100,000). FHWA completed an Applying Innovative Analysis Tools in Planning for Operations report, case studies, and conducted outreach activities that showcase technical tools available to planners and operators to model operations programs during the planning process. The report is available at http://www.plan4operations.dot.gov/casestudies/analysis.htm.

  FHWA also hosted a pilot outreach workshop in Washington, D.C., in September 2009 and conducted six of eleven workshops in the following locations:

  • Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, in January 2010;
  • Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2010;
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in May 2010;
  • Vancouver, Washington, in July 2010;
  • Kansas City, Missouri, in August 2010; and
  • Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in October 2010.
• Benchmarking/Targeted Technical Assistance. (FY2010: $72,968; Prior Year Funding: $123,317). FHWA hosted a kickoff meeting to initiate this research effort, which will:
  • Evaluate success achieved in areas that adopted planning for operations practices;
  • Implement methods to monitor progress in integrating operations into metropolitan and statewide plans, such as utilizing annual certification reviews;
  • Conduct targeted technical assistance to select MPOs;
  • Conduct hands-on workshops and support; and
  • Assist selected MPOs to develop objectives-based regional plans for operations.

  As part of this effort, FHWA initiated development of a roadmap to initiate and execute partnerships with four MPOs to create and fully use the objectives-driven, performance-based approach to planning for operations.

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Statewide Opportunities for Integrating Operations, Safety, and Multimodal Planning: A Reference Manual. (Prior Year Funding: $7,697). FHWA finalized and published a reference manual on statewide opportunities for integrating operations, safety, and multimodal planning. The manual is designed to assist State DOT managers and staff to coordinate their functions and partner with other agencies, such as MPOs, transit agencies, and local jurisdictions, to more effectively integrate operations, safety, and planning. This manual was designed as a "how to" reference to provide practical information on implementing these opportunities; it includes case study examples with "toolkits" to help agencies get started. This document also expanded the focus of integration to include planning, operations, and safety in a multimodal context. An electronic copy of this document is available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes/statewide/practices/manual/index.cfm.
• A Framework for Travel Demand Management (TDM) in the Transportation Planning Process. (Prior Year Funding: $75,000). FHWA hosted a kickoff meeting to initiate this research effort, which will:
  • Develop a TDM desk reference; and
  • Promote a more contemporary approach to TDM.

  FHWA distributed a first draft of the TDM desk reference for comments within FHWA, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and a select stakeholder group. The final TDM desk reference will promote a more contemporary approach to TDM in the transportation planning process.

• Advancing Metropolitan Planning for Operations: An Objective-Driven Performance-Based Approach - A Guidebook. (Prior Year Funding: $100,000). FHWA finalized and published a guidebook on advancing metropolitan planning for operations. The guidebook presented an approach for integrating management and operations strategies into the metropolitan planning process to maximize the performance of the existing and planned system. The guidebook is available at http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop10026/index.htm.

  FHWA also engaged in the following activities to promote planning for operations:

  • NHI Courses. FHWA initiated development of a one-and-a-half day course titled "Advancing Planning for Operations in Metropolitan Areas."
  • Professional Capacity Building. FHWA prepared fact sheets, case studies, slideshows, and other documents that compiled examples of the objectives-driven performance-based approach. FHWA also posted these materials on the Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB) website to enable the transportation community to access this information. The TPCB website is available at http://www.planning.dot.gov/about.asp.
  • Executive Brochure. FHWA finalized an executive brochure that was intended to raise awareness about the objectives-driven, performance-based approach at partner agencies' executive management levels.
• Advancing Metropolitan Planning for Operations: The Building Blocks of a Model Transportation Plan Incorporating Operations - A Desk Reference. (Prior Year Funding: $250,000). FHWA finalized and published the desk reference and hosted two webinars to promote the completion of this product.

  The desk reference is a "toolbox" document that provides possible types of operations objectives to planners and operators along with associated performance measures, data needs, and strategies. Metropolitan areas can utilize the desk reference as a starting point to advance planning for operations in their area. The document also includes an illustrative plan to visually indicate "how the pieces fit together" to incorporate outcomes-driven operations into the metropolitan planning process. The desk reference is available at http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop10027/index.htm.

  The webinars addressed the contents of the document and included presentations by two different MPOs on their use of the objectives-driven, performance-based approach. An archived webinar recording is available at http://ntoctalks.com/web_casts_archive.php.

Safety Planning

Emphasis Area Contact: Lorrie Lau

Level of FY2010 Funding: $100,000

• Assessing the Impact of Traffic Safety Training Targeted Toward Local Agency Technical Staff and Elected/Appointed Officials. (FY2010: $93,000). FHWA completed a report entitled Assessing the Impact of Traffic Safety Training Targeted toward Local Agency Technical Staff and Elected/Appointed Officials and will post it on the FHWA Office of Planning (HEPP) website in the near future. FHWA presented a poster session on this research at the 2011 TRB Annual Meeting. This research will be reviewed by the TRB's Transportation Safety Planning (TSP) Working Group and the TRB Safety Coordinator to explore how to implement TSP training at the local level.

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Taking Action: Using Targeted Training to Get Traffic Safety Analysis Integrated into the Local Transportation Planning Process. (Prior Year Funding: $76,800). This effort investigated how training for technical staff and the decision-makers can advance safety components in the project planning and transportation planning processes. The study evaluated the level of subject comprehension before and after training and measured different decision outcomes. This project and its final report were completed. FHWA HEPP is preparing the report to post on the FHWA website.

Freight Planning

Emphasis Area Contact: Spencer Stevens

Level of FY2010 Funding: $200,000

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Freight Analysis and Planning Model. (Prior Year Funding: $152,705). This research effort enhanced work previously conducted on the Argos freight model for the Southern California, U.S., region by estimating intra-metropolitan and regional freight flows. The research produced a functional model that can be integrated with an existing travel demand forecasting software package.
• European FHWA/AASHTO Freight Scan. (Prior Year Funding: $40,000). In August 2010, a team of 13 transportation professionals from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada visited the European Commission and six countries in Europe to gain a better understanding of the institutional, organizational and administrative structure of the European Union's (EU) corridor program, the TransEuropean Transportation Network (TEN-T), including an understanding of its planning, programming, development, and implementation. The cities visited were chosen because they are key nodes on some of the current TEN-T priority axes and represent a mix of EU founding members and countries that joined in 2004. A final report is due in spring 2011.

Public Involvement, Visualization in Planning/Environmental Planning

Emphasis Area Contact: Frederick Bowers, Brenda Kragh, and Susan Grosser

Level of FY2010 Funding: $200,000

• Public Involvement, Environmental Justice, and Visualization in Planning. (FY2010: $200,000). FHWA developed the Environmental Justice in Transportation: Emerging Trends and Best Practices report, which promotes environmental justice in transportation and provides practical strategies and applications that focus on timely transportation issues. FHWA also authored four topic papers and case studies to help promote a deeper understanding of the responsibilities, opportunities, and benefits derived from addressing environmental justice in transportation planning and implementation. The topic papers focused on:
  • Transit and affordability;
  • Public involvement;
  • Livability; and
  • Road pricing.

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• Transportation and Environmental Justice Best Practices Guidebook.(Prior Year Funding: $75,000). FHWA developed the Transportation and Environmental Justice Best Practices Guidebook to provide practical strategies and applications that highlight commonplace techniques for promoting environmental justice in transportation. The guidebook contained case studies that detail analytical and procedural issues relevant to a diverse community, including FHWA, FTA, HUD, EPA, State DOTs, MPOs, transit providers, other partnering government agencies, community organizations, advocacy groups, academic institutions, and the public.

Other Activities that Support State/Local/Tribal Planning Capacity Building

Emphasis Area Contact: Kenneth Petty

Level of FY2010 Funding: $2,850,000

• Transportation Decision-Making: Information Tools for Tribal Governments - Tribal Transportation Best Practices Guidebook. (FY2010: $72,895). The Tribal Transportation Best Practices Guidebook launched a new educational series that highlights achievements in Tribal transportation through research and case studies. The purpose of the guidebook was to showcase successful program management practices in Tribal transportation and share this information with the larger transportation community. The guidebookis available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes/tribal/case_studies/bestpractices_guidebk.cfm.
• Tribal Planning Module Series. (FY2010: $65,000). The module series was designed to provide subject-specific information about various Tribal planning activities. Executive summaries and PowerPoint presentations were developed for each module. In addition, train-the-trainer materials and sessions were offered to the Tribal Technical Assistance Program to help support dissemination of the modules. Training sessions were also offered at the National Tribal Transportation Conference to help train local Tribal planners in their efforts to educate local staff, leadership, and the public about Tribal planning issues. For more information, see http://www.tribalplanning.fhwa.dot.gov/training_series.aspx.
• Planning Capacity Building, System Performance and Oversight. (FY2010: $986,000). This project aided the implementation of FHWA's research program by creating a multi-disciplinary team to meet the challenges associated with transportation planning. The team's efforts were targeted to specific needs and areas of interest that support work in transportation planning capacity building as well as innovation in transportation planning processes, decision-making, transportation and land use, and transportation and community impacts.
• FHWA Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty (HEP) Executive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (HEPGIS). (FY2010: $20,000). This project provided additional funding for work already underway to update census and map data presented on HEPGIS mapping applications, add new maps to assist highway planners with new and ongoing projects, and further enhance the functionality of HEPGIS applications. The USDOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center designed and developed an application to update the MPO address database.
• Asset Management and Performance Measures. (FY2010: $65,851). This project facilitated an afternoon session at a peer exchange to share information pertaining to programs and practices in asset management.
• AASHTO: Cost Estimation and Cost Management for Highway Projects During Planning, Programming and Preconstruction. (FY2010: $40,731). This project supported the Cost Estimating and Cost Management Capacity Building Workshop led by the Minnesota DOT. The workshop, held in August 2010 in Minnesota, built on two previous workshops on the topic and focused on the following:
  • Risk management and contingency estimating;
  • Building expertise and capacity to implement the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) report 574 (Guidance for Cost Estimation and Management for Highway Projects during Planning, Programming, and Preconstruction) on cost estimating and cost management;
  • Learning how States are moving forward to implement the report;
  • Sharing advances and lessons learned from other States' initiatives; and Developing action plans for initiatives in support of cost estimating and cost management implementation.
• Interagency Working Group on Transportation, Land Use, and Climate Change. (FY2010: $44,438.91). This project supported the Interagency Working Group on Transportation, Land Use, and Climate Change, whose focus was on identifying how greenhouse gasses (GHGs) can be reduced through better land use planning, travel demand management practices, and other innovative energy and carbon reduction strategies.
• Ninth Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference. (FY2010: $12,000). This project built on the previous successes of the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference series. This conference, held February 2010 in Washington, concentrated on building safe, healthy, and livable communities. The conference also included keynote addresses from the Secretaries of USDOT, HUD, and EPA.
• TRB: Fourth National Conference on Performance Management. (FY2010: $100,000). This project identified best practices and developed an understanding of performance-based planning, -programming, and performance management by holding discussions on accountable, transparent, processes for the optimization of investments in transportation.
• TRB: National Forum on Transforming the State and MPO Transportation Planning and Programming. (FY2010: $100,000). This project planned, prepared background materials, and conducted a national forum to:
  • Examine the current state-of-the-practice of transportation planning and programming processes to understand how current processes and/or its components are incorporating performance and accountability;
  • Define effective approaches and evolving state-of-the-practice changes in statewide and metropolitan transportation planning, focusing on practices, methods, analyses, and data related to achieving a more performance-based, outcome-driven, transparent, and accountable planning and programming process;
  • Explore approaches to integrated modal planning and programming that transcend modal silos;
  • Examine how the planning process can address new and emerging issues, such as climate change, livability, and sustainability;
  • Examine how transportation planning and policies can be synchronized with plans and policies related to housing, the economy, energy, the environment, and climate change;
  • Examine innovative, productive, Federal, State, and local relationships and roles and responsibilities, including oversight and compliance issues that support performance-driven planning processes; and
  • Identify strategies, and short-and long-term actions, including research, to expedite transformation of the planning and programming process.
• Project Prioritization and Performance-Based Planning Efforts in Rural and Small Metropolitan Regions. (FY2010: $100,000). This project conducted research on project prioritization methods and performance-based planning in rural and small metropolitan regions. It also provided a resource for regional transportation planning professionals to identify and overcome barriers to project prioritization and performance-based planning, as well as methods to employ such initiatives within regional planning processes and documents.
• The Architecture of the Megaregion. (FY2010: $274,476). This project provided a work plan for the application of megaregional practice within U.S. planning and policy structures. The plan was designed to analyze the broad spectrum of possibilities for integrating the megaregion concept into Federal, State, regional, and local transportation investment decision-making processes.
• National Symposium for Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) and MPOs: Assessing the Structure and Benefits of Collaboration. (FY2010: $25,000). This project promoted collaboration between RTPOs and MPOs, showcasing the benefits of collaborating, maximizing resources, and inclusive planning.
• AASHTO: Advancement and/or Implementation of Approach for Performance-Based Planning and Programming/Planning for Data Needs in Capacity Building Activities. (FY2010: $80,413). The purpose of this workshop was to build upon the findings of an executive roundtable held in October 2009. This effort continued to apply findings to decision-making at the transportation planning and programming/project selection levels.
• National Policy Consensus Center - Metropolitan Transportation Collaborative Governance Study. (FY2010: $15,000). This project hosted a research forum in September 2010 to share findings, discuss implications, identify lessons learned, and develop best practices. The forum provided a significant opportunity for FHWA to partner with State and local agencies and other groups to advance the implementation of several key FHWA initiatives such as: integrating land use and transportation decision-making, CSS, sustainability for transportation projects, and completing the environmental review process in a timely manner.
• FHWA HEPP Website Design and Support. (FY2010: $90,000). This project provided onsite support to update, convert, and document HEPP web pages and other related updates.
• Creating Livable Places: Understanding the "Development Game" to Increase Livability. (FY2010: $125,000). This project identified opportunities to incorporate livability principles into metropolitan planning and increase coordination among Federally required regional and local plans. Research in this area identified gaps in incorporating livability principles and metropolitan priorities into the development of local plans. It also identified data sets, tools, and strategies necessary to support the integration of livability principles into metropolitan planning processes, transportation plans, and programs. Finally, this project developed tools and strategies, including livability principles, which facilitate the implementation of regional plans and priorities, primarily at the local level where most regional plan implementation must occur.
• Developing the Capacity of Local and Regional Stakeholders to Create, Integrate and Implement Federal Livability Goals. (FY2010: $250,000). This project advanced the state-of-the-art and advanced building livable communities by developing an analytical framework and guidebook for local governments, regional councils of governments, and MPOs to use in creating regional transportation plans that incorporate the objectives of the Federal Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities.
• Livability in Transportation and Transportation and Environmental Justice Best Practices Guidebook. (FY2010: $210,000). This project developed a guidebook on livability in transportation best practices that contains case studies and provides strategies, processes, and applications to highlight projects that have been implemented to promote livability. The case studies detailed both analytical and procedural issues relevant to a diverse community including: FHWA, HUD, EPA, FTA, State DOTs, MPOs, transit providers, other partnering government agencies, community organizations, advocacy groups, academic institutions, and the public.
• Incorporating Livability into Rural and Small Metropolitan Transportation Planning. (FY2010: $100,000). This project researched the methodologies and extent to which livable community concepts are incorporated into rural and small metropolitan transportation planning processes. The research identified mechanisms that rural and small metropolitan transportation planning organizations are implementing to incorporate tenets of livable communities while also working to meet transportation needs of residents in these communities. The research specifically assessed the roles that RTPOs are undertaking to incorporate the goals of USDOT, HUD, and EPA's Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities, such as promoting transportation choice, enhancing economic competitiveness, and coordinating policies on planning processes.
• Portland State University: Livability Workshop. (FY2010: $10,000). The symposium sought to increase the awareness of the USDOT, HUD, and EPA's Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities by providing an opportunity for discussion among regional policy-makers (HUD, EPA, USDOT) and an exploration of best practices from around the nation through research presentations and a panel discussion with national experts. The session concluded with a focus on the future, with proposals for what new practices a region should adopt to realize a more livable region.
• University of Washington: Livability Workshop. (FY2010: $10,000). This session was an outgrowth of the USDOT, HUD, and EPA's Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities effort. This event increased awareness and understanding of the partnership. It also provided an opportunity to receive input from State, regional, and local participants about opportunities and needs that can inform FHWA efforts. Finally, it catalyzed an enhanced level of participation throughout Washington.

U.S./Canada and U.S./Mexico Border Planning

Emphasis Area Contact: Roger Petzold

Level of FY2010 Funding: $700,484

• U.S./Mexico Transportation Joint Working Committee (JWC). (FY2010: $220,242). The JWC supported and promoted U.S./Mexico JWC meetings and translation in addition to high-priority JWC work plan activities. JWC accomplishments included the following:
  • Completed the Lower Rio Grande Border Congestion Study;
  • Completed the U.S./Mexico Border Wait Time Study;
  • Completed the Nogales Intermodal Congestion Relief Study; and
  • Held bi-annual meetings in Chihuahua, Mexico, and San Diego, California.

  Additional work continued on the following studies and initiatives:

  • Border Travel Time Studies;
  • Bottleneck Studies (Phase II);
  • Improve Travel Demand Model in the Border Region Study;
  • Innovative Finance/Public-Private Partnership Study;
  • Border Master Plan Studies (in Laredo, Texas, and Baja, California);
  • Evaluation of Transportation Planning Process Study;
  • Peer exchanges; and
  • Website enhancements/web tools.

  Additionally, the JWC drafted a revised Memorandum of Understanding between the USDOT and the Mexican Secretariat of Communication and Transportation.

• U.S./Canada Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG). (FY2010: $175,000). FHWA supported TBWG meetings, which were hosted by the U.S. FHWA also facilitated communication between TBWG members and provided overall management and review of research activities associated with the development of the TBWG work plan. Additionally, the TBWG:
  • Enhanced the compendium of infrastructure hosted on the TBWG website (http://www.thetbwg.org/subcommittees-compendium_e.htm) to allow access to all users;
  • Sponsored regional border workshops;
  • Conducted a U.S./Canada border wait time pilot program;
  • Conducted a data access study; and
  • Sponsored a peer exchange.
• Border Research Common to U.S./Canada and U.S./Mexico Borders. (FY2010: $305,242). As part of these activities, FHWA:
  • Conducted an infrastructure needs analysis;
  • Created a green border initiative;
  • Analyzed the economic impact of land border ports of entry and congestion;
  • Created the USDOT Border Congestion Relief Program; and
  • Enhanced communication of border wait-time data.

National Security, Defense, and Interstate Planning

Emphasis Area Contact: Stefan Natzke

Level of FY2010 Funding: $520,000

The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2010 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.

• NHS Designation and Product Development. (Prior Year Funding: $160,000). As part of NHS designation and product development, FHWA:
  • Updated NHS and Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET) coding on the base GIS network; and
  • Updated NHS/STRAHNET portable document format (PDF) maps for reposting on the internet.
• Economic Development in Highway Corridors. (Prior Year Funding: $30,000). Using combined funding from various FHWA sources, FHWA sponsored a two-day workshop and supported ongoing coordination to initiate the Cape Cod Interagency Transportation Land Use and Climate Change Pilot Project. This project developed a preferred scenario for climate change mitigation and adaptation, examined alternative economic development scenarios, and documented each scenario's climate impacts. This project is ongoing with coordination through the USDOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center.

Emphasis Areas Related to Tools to Support Planning and Environment

Travel Modeling

Emphasis Area Contact: Sarah Sun

Level of FY2010 Funding: $1,170,000

• Advancement of Treatment of Non-Motorized Travel in Existing Models. (FY2010: $300,000). FHWA developed a prototype non-motorized travel model and obtained interim results on NCHRP project 08-78 ("Estimating Bicycling and Walking for Planning and Project Development") for implementation in FY2011.
• Census Transportation Planning Package (CTPP) Technical Assistance. (FY2010: $100,000). As part of its technical assistance for developing the CTPP, FHWA:
  • Prepared a summary of data products;
  • Edited a CTPP newsletter; and
  • Provided staff support for the CTPP coordination group.

  Additional information on CTPP accomplishments is available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/census_issues/ctpp/.

• Data Collection. (FY2010: $120,000). FHWA developed interim results from NCHRP 08-78 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory transferability research for implementation. It also scoped further contract research to evaluate non-motorized travel characteristics in existing household travel survey results.
• Support Ongoing Travel Modeling Improvement Program (TMIP) Efforts. (FY2010: $300,000). FHWA conducted 14 TMIP webinars that reached an audience of over 1,800 individuals (an average of 133 participants per webinar). Participants included representatives from MPOs, Federal, State, and local government, the private sector, and academia. Approximately 90 percent of attendees agreed that the webinars were relevant to their jobs and that they would recommend the webinar series to others. The TMIP Clearinghouse shipped 152 hard-copy documents. Additionally, the website experienced over 12,000 unique visits to the homepage and over 31,000 unique visits to the resources section. The website also added the following publications to its list of resources:
  • Peer Review Process Guide: How to Get the Most Out of Your TMIP Peer Review;
  • Online Travel Survey Manual;
  • Actual versus Forecasted Toll Usage: A Case Study Review; and
  • A Primer for Dynamic Traffic Assignment.

  TMIP also maintained five email lists and published technical syntheses on model uncertainty and model sensitivity testing based on discussions that occurred on TMIP-L, the TMIP email discussion list. Finally, FHWA published a revised manual on model calibration and validation. Additional information about TMIP accomplishments, including the technical syntheses and revised manual, is available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tmip/.

• National Travel Forecasting Steering Committee. (FY2010: $50,000). This effort established TRB Special Committee for Travel Forecasting Resources (ADB45) and commenced work on the first version of the travel forecasting resource, a web-based repository of practical travel model information developed by practitioners for practitioners.
• Peer Review Program and Peer Exchange. (FY2010: $300,000). FHWA conducted peer reviews for TRansportation ANalysis SIMulation System (TRANSIMS) case study deployments in Buffalo, New York; Sacramento, California; and Detroit, Michigan. This effort also commenced scoping for peer reviews in Florida, Nebraska, and Ohio.

  Planning agencies use peer reviews to ensure that technical processes they are applying or developing meet the agency's needs, meet the standards of professional practice, and/or meet Federal, State or local planning requirements. Peer reviews of travel forecasting and data collection procedures are crucial to planning agencies' model development and improvement efforts.

  For more information, see http://https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tmip/resources/peer_review

GIS/Spatial Information for Improved Decision Making

Emphasis Area Contact: Mark Sarmiento

Level of FY2010 Funding: $405,000

• Case Studies. (FY2010: $90,000). FHWA posted a report on its GIS in Transportation website that examined at how State DOTs have used GIS-based mash-up maps, social media, and other web 2.0 technologies in their activities. The purpose of the report was to identify best practices, challenges, and lessons learned in the uses of these technologies and to describe agencies' decision-making processes regarding technology implementation and management. The report is available at http://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/.
• Peer Exchanges. (FY2010: $15,000). FHWA hosted a peer exchange in Charleston, West Virginia, focusing on how GIS has been applied to transportation asset management. Participants from California, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia discussed their experiences and potential areas of research that would assist States in applying GIS to transportation asset management.
• National Highway Planning Network (NHPN) Maintenance. (FY2010: $100,000). FHWA developed a methodology for incorporating different State DOT geospatial road networks into the NHPN and implemented an informal agreement to obtain State geospatial road networks from the FHWA Office of Highway Policy Information's annual highway performance monitoring system submittal process.
• Enhancement of the GIS Screening Tool (GISST). (FY2010: $100,000). FHWA facilitated discussions to initiate an interagency agreement with EPA Region 6 to enhance their GISST.

Program Management and Outreach

Emphasis Area Contact: Patricia Cazenas

Level of FY2010 Funding: $1,000,000

• Program Management and Outreach. (FY2010: $1,000,000). Accomplishments included the following:
  • Hosted STEP/SHRP/NCHRP coordination meeting;
  • Presented at numerous national meetings;
  • Conducted three STEP webinars, which expanded focus from STEP as a program to specific topics that would relate to and engage external stakeholders;
  • Produced the Program Overview Fact Sheet;
  • Created STEP contact cards;
  • Participated in the TRB Environment and Energy Research Conference ; and
  • Submitted information on current STEP research to the TRB's Research in Progress database, available at http://rip.trb.org.

  Additionally, coordination efforts were undertaken to assist in developing and implementing research initiatives within the SHRP2 Capacity Research Plan and the NCHRP. A Federal Register Notice was issued to solicit feedback for the FY2011 STEP. FHWA also improved its webinar promotion and filled the final two FY2010 webinars to capacity, requiring additional lines. By strategically developing and reaching out to a list of target audiences (e.g., TRB, AASHTO, AMPO) to help publicize the webinar, FHWA disseminated information about webinar registration and referenced STEP in publications such as the AASHTO Journal and the TRB newsletter, Environmental Analysis in Transportation.

  FHWA also distributed new STEP outreach materials, including the program overview fact sheet and STEP contact cards, at several conferences throughout the year, including the:

  • 2010 TRB Annual Meeting (January 2010) in Washington, D.C.;
  • 2010 AASHTO Subcommittee Annual Meeting (April 2010) in San Diego, California;
  • 2010 USIECR conference titled "Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution - Evolving to Meet New Opportunities" (May 2010) in Tucson, Arizona; and the
  • 2010 TRB Environmental and Energy Research Conference (June 2010) in Raleigh, North Carolina.

  Distribution of these materials further familiarized STEP partners and stakeholders with the program and marketed related research initiatives and products.

• Website Support for FHWA HEP Research and Programs. (FY2010: $300,000). The following STEP documents were posted on the STEP website:
  • Federal Register Notice;
  • FY2011 STEP implementation strategy;
  • STEP FY2011 Bulletin;
  • STEP FY2009 Annual Report;
  • STEP FY2009 accomplishments highlights fact sheet;
  • STEP webinar PowerPoint (PPT) presentation;
  • STEP webinar on livability PPT presentation;
  • STEP webinar on air quality and climate change PPT presentation;
  • FY2010 STEP research plan overview;
  • FY2010 STEP research plan;
  • FY2010 STEP emphasis area contact list; and
  • FY2010 STEP related proposal requests.

  FHWA continued to utilize the STEP website by working with emphasis area contacts to better display new information about STEP events and products. For example, a STEP emphasis area highlights section was added to the "What's New" section of the website at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/. This section provided links to emphasis area web pages and a calendar of events.

• Financial Management Support for STEP and Planning and Environment Research and Program Initiatives. (FY2010: $350,000). Approximately 347 procurement requests and 19 allocation memos were processed to initiate STEP research initiatives. Timely reports were provided regarding the status of research initiatives, including the National Science Foundation/FEDWeb report and the annual Minority Institutions of Higher Education report.