Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Annual Report
Appendix B: Research Highlights
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.
STEP emphasis area contacts and program staff identified research activities for FY2011 based on stakeholder feedback and other national priorities. A summary table is provided below. Complete descriptions of each research activity recommended in FY2011 can be found on the STEP website at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/resources/research_plans/fy11rp.cfm.
| Emphasis Area |
Number of Research Recommendations |
FY2011 STEP Funds Requested |
| ENVIRONMENT EMPHASIS AREAS |
| Air Quality and Climate Change |
4 |
$1,000,000 |
| Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat |
0 |
$0 |
| Historic Preservation |
3 |
$200,000 |
| Livability |
1 |
$400,000 |
| Bicycles/Pedestrians |
1 |
$150,000 |
| Noise |
1 |
$310,000 |
| Environmental Streamlining/Stewardship |
4 |
$800,000 |
| Context Sensitive Solutions |
1 |
$100,000 |
| PLANNING EMPHASIS AREAS |
| Congestion |
3 |
$200,000 |
| Safety Planning |
1 |
$50,000 |
| Freight Planning |
2 |
$125,000 |
| Public Involvement, Visualization in Planning/Environmental Justice |
2 |
$200,000 |
| Other Activities that Support State/Local/Tribal Planning Capacity Building |
0 |
$0 |
| U.S./Canada and U.S./Mexico Border Planning |
3 |
$200,000 |
| National Security, Defense and Interstate Planning |
0 |
$0 |
| REAL ESTATE SERVICES EMPHASIS AREAS |
| Real Estate Program Stewardship |
3 |
$570,000 |
| Outdoor Advertising Control |
1 |
$110,000 |
| TOOLS TO SUPPORT PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT EMPHASIS AREAS |
| GIS/Spatial Information for Improved Decision Making |
2 |
$200,000 |
| Travel Modeling |
1 |
$500,000 |
| PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND OUTREACH |
2* |
$1,120,000 |
| |
|
|
| HEP ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR |
|
$8,313,039 |
| TOTAL |
35 |
$14,548,039 |
* Total includes one Financial Management and Program Assistance research recommendation
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 FY2011 research accomplishments by emphasis area, including those funded with prior year funding, 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 FY2011 but are not yet complete and some accomplishments occurred in FY2011 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 FY2011 Funding: $1,000,000
- Health Effects Institute (HEI) (FY2011: $100,000; Prior Year Funding: $200,000). HEI released several reports, developed requests for proposals, and released the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. FHWA also attended HEI's annual meeting and coordinated an HEI briefing for FHWA headquarters' staff, as well as the Transportation Research Board's (TRB) air quality subcommittee.
- National Near Road Mobile Source Air Toxics Study (FY2011: $125,000; Prior Year Funding: $2,315,000). FHWA completed the project's data collection and monitoring effort, preliminary data analysis in Las Vegas, Nevada, and data collection and monitoring in Detroit, Michigan.
- Air Quality Analysis Support (FY2011: $250,000; Prior Year Funding: $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 EPA's Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) model and air quality dispersion models, technical support to review MOVES training materials, staff support for the "Health in Transportation" effort, and support to design and conduct model sensitivity analysis for the MOVES model.
- Smart State Transportation Initiative (SSTI) (FY2011: $3,000,000). SSTI disseminates accounts of state-level reform for use by the general transportation community. For example, SSTI has just published reviews of changes at the Pennsylvania DOT as well as related to Washington State DOT's sustainability efforts. More information is available at www.ssti.us.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 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 module data to derive truck activity data;
- Developed data fusion methods to compile truck activity data from multiple sources; and
- Measured emissions from heavy-duty trucks with various loaded vehicle weights.
The final report was submitted to FHWA in September 2011.
- 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 as related to use of MOVES. FHWA also identified additional data collection and research needs to fully utilize the capabilities of MOVES. Finally, FHWA documented lessons learned from transitioning from the MOBILE6 model to MOVES.
- Advances in Project Level Analysis (Prior Year Funding: $109,000). Through this research effort, FHWA developed usable tools that assist transportation and air quality modelers in preparing project-level emissions analysis that take advantage of MOVES' capabilities. The final product includes a methodology demonstration that uses a micro-simulation modeling output to create vehicle specific power (VSP) profiles as inputs to MOVES under two scenarios: 1) a series of congested conditions for different facility types; and 2) conditions typical of intermodal and port facilities.
Additionally, this project demonstrated a sample emissions control strategy analysis. Using the tools and methodologies developed through this project, users will be able to examine VSP profile files, obtain information on the methodology used to create them, and identify lessons learned.
- 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 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 particulate matter (PM) and ozone areas;
- New ozone and PM standards; and
- MOVES implementation issues.
AMPO also convened air quality and transportation planners 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 MOVES.
- Air Quality and Transportation Conformity Outreach and Communications (Prior Year Funding: $211,173). This research effort enhanced outreach and communication activities for the air quality and conformity area. As part of this effort, FHWA published a monthly newsletter on air quality and transportation conformity, completed and released a brochure entitled Transportation Conformity: Linking Transportation and Air Quality, revised a guidance document entitled Transportation Conformity: A Basic Guide for State and Local Officials, and updated the FHWA air quality website available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality.
FHWA also identified and shared conformity best practices, initiated a complete update of the Transportation Conformity Reference Guide, and developed and delivered transportation conformity training sessions to MPOs. Additional activities included presentation and delivery of STEP research results at key venues and conferences.
Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat
Emphasis Area Contact: Marlys Osterhues
Level of FY2011 Funding: $0
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Advancing Tools Used for Decision Support and Impact Analyses for Transportation, Wildlife, and Ecological Systems (Prior Year Funding: $145,000). In April 2011, FHWA updated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Webtool (www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ESAWebTool/Default.aspx). The Webtool is an online resource to streamline preparation of biological assessments (BAs) and the consultation process under Section 7 of the ESA for transportation projects.
The tool has been in use for three years and has been well received both by State DOTs and resource agencies. The updated site contains: a downloadable national BA template, online file cabinets for BA documentation and collaboration, geospatial project archiving with posting and searching functionality, region-specific contacts and resources, a library, glossary, and frequently asked questions. The tool also includes a training site. Two national webinars were held to inform target audiences of the tool's new capabilities.
- Research and Innovation Agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and USFWS (Prior Year Funding: $400,000). FHWA continued its support for existing USACE and USFWS research and innovation agreements. The purposes of these agreements are to conduct research and promote innovation related to the highway program with respect to natural resource protection laws. The agreements and their resulting accomplishments are described in more detail below:
- The purpose of the USFWS agreement is to conduct research and promote innovation in the highway program with respect to fish and wildlife laws. Results of the agreement 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. A major effort under this agreement was the advancement of programmatic issues to streamline the consultation process and strengthen the transportation community of practice. Overall, the agreement and its efforts enhanced interagency coordination and supported development of training capabilities that promoted early coordination between FHWA, USFWS, and State DOTs.
- A major effort under the USACE agreement was the continued management of an internal USACE transportation community of practice (involving 97 project managers, supervisors, and district chiefs). The purpose of this community of practice was to advance solutions and promote inter-district sharing of innovative thinking and best practices to improve the efficiency of application review, while ensuring environmental protection and promoting environmental stewardship. Within this community of practice, USACE addressed transportation-related issues, gathered tools for use within USACE, and developed programmatic guidance to address liaison issues.
Other efforts focused on training capabilities that promote early coordination and partnering efforts between USACE districts, FHWA, and State DOTs. In addition, FHWA coordinated USACE attendance and participation at each EDC summit in the fall of 2010 and at the Eco-Logical symposium to ensure interagency collaboration and transparency on all policy initiatives
- Supporting Peer and Research Exchange at Conferences, Workshops and Technical Panels/Environmental Excellence Awards (Prior Year Funding: $120,000). FHWA provided funding support for the 2011 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation held in Seattle, Washington, in August 2011. Over 500 transportation representatives from across the U.S. and numerous international countries attended. At the conference, FHWA awarded its 2011 Environmental Excellence awards that recognize and promote projects and processes that use FHWA funding to go beyond environmental compliance. Over 100 applications were submitted for this national recognition program. Twelve winners were selected in ten categories. More information about the awards program is available at: www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs_resources_tools/publications/newsletters/feb12nl.aspx.
- Advancing Methods, Maps, and Tools Used for Decision Support and Impact Analyses for Transportation, Wildlife, and Ecological Systems. (Prior Year Funding: $50,000). FHWA provided funding support to the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) for use of the USFWS Information Planning and Consultation (IPaC) website to streamline environmental analysis of FHWA projects in Arkansas. More information on IPaC is available at http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac.
In cooperation with the FHWA Arkansas Division Office, USFWS and AHTD are participating in a pilot research project using the IPaC decision support system to implement proactive species conservation during transportation project planning. The anticipated outcome of the pilot is to demonstrate how a collaborative partnership between a State DOT (AHTD) and a resource agency (USFWS) can achieve better conservation results and streamlined, predictable project planning.
- Specific Research to Address Threatened and Endangered Species Concerns on Regional and National Basis (Prior Year Funding: $25,000). FHWA provided additional funding for the continued development of a pile driving handbook. The objective of this effort is 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.
- International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Database (Prior Year Funding: $50,000). FHWA provided support to the International BMP database, which now contains performance data for over 500 BMPs. A summary of the result of performance analysis contained in a series of technical papers was released, which provides information on BMP performance on several stormwater categories: nutrients, solids, metals, fecal indicator bacteria, and runoff volume. The summary is available at www.bmpdatabase.org/BMPPerformance.htm). The BMP database is available at www.bmpdatabase.org.
Historic Preservation
Emphasis Area Contact: MaryAnn Naber
Level of FY2011 Funding: $200,000
- Continuation of the Research and Innovation Agreement with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) (FY2011: $100,000). This effort continued to identify and capitalize on best practices for innovative project delivery under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to encourage other agencies to adopt such practices. Results were promoted nationally through announcements and articles posted online (available at www.achp.gov/fhwa.html) and presentations at conferences (i.e., TRB's Annual Conference, TRB's Standing Committee on the Environment). Additionally, results were disseminated by creating tools that help agencies develop effective programmatic agreements and promote early coordination and process improvement efforts among all parties participating in the Section 106 review process.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Dissemination of Effective Practices for Considering Historic Preservation in Transportation Planning and Early Project Development (Prior Year Funding: $65,000). A contract was awarded to develop case studies that identify effective practices for considering historic preservation issues early in the project planning process.
Livability
Emphasis Area Contact: Gabe Rousseau
Level of FY2011 Funding: $150,000
There were no FY2011 accomplishments in this area.
Bicycles/Pedestrians
Emphasis Area Contact: Gabe Rousseau
Level of FY2011 Funding: $150,000
- Pedestrian Bicycle Information Center (FY2011: $89,553). FHWA awarded a new cooperative agreement to the University of North Carolina's Highway Safety Research Center to operate a national clearinghouse on walking and bicycling. The clearinghouse website is: www.pedbikeinfo.org.
- National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse's (NTEC) Summary of Nationwide Spending as of FY2010Report (FY2011: $99,382). FHWA continued its cooperative agreement with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to operate the NTEC. NTEC increases the transparency of a complex program, promotes best practices, and provides policymakers and the public with an opportunity to learn how States have used transportation enhancement (TE) program funding.
NTEC prepared the Summary of Nationwide Spending as of FY2010 report, which is part of an annual series of national spending reports. The report provided insight into TE spending at the national and State levels and helped agency staff, policymakers, professionals, and the public better understand and maximize the benefits that can be derived from TE activities. The report is available at www.enhancements.org/download/Spending_Report/TE_Spending_Report_FY10.pdf. NTEC also published data briefs, 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 FY2011 Funding: $310,000
- Highway Traffic Noise: Research, Training and Communication (FY2011: $310,000). FHWA continued ongoing development of the traffic noise model (TNM) 3.0 and expects a beta version to be completed within the first quarter of 2012. Beta-testing will be conducted in the second and third quarters of 2012, with a release of TNM 3.0 expected by the end of the 2012 calendar year.
Environmental Streamlining/Stewardship
Emphasis Area Contact: Shari Schaftlein
Level of FY2011 Funding: $800,000
- Advancing Innovations in FHWA's Environmental Review Process and Improving Project Delivery (FY2011: $125,000 combined with prior year funding: $105,000). FHWA initiated a new contract to identify best practices for applying environmental justice (EJ) principles and conducting EJ analyses during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. This effort will result in the development of a report, case studies, and presentation materials.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Linking Eco-Logical to Project Development (Prior Year Funding: $250,000). FHWA continued its longstanding support of Eco-Logical through the following activities:
These efforts increased the visibility of FHWA's environmental stewardship activities and helped FHWA Division Offices and resource agencies share approaches for effectively minimizing and mitigating project impacts, resulting in more streamlined permitting times and better environmental stewardship.
- Supporting Peer and Research Exchange at Conferences, Workshops, and Technical Panels (Prior Year Funding: $45,000). FHWA supported peer and research exchanges by providing funding support to develop or host the following conferences and award programs:
- 2011 Biodiversity Without Boundaries Conference in May 2011, in Lied Lodge, Nebraska;
- 2011 National Wetlands Award Program in May 2011, in Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.);
- 2011 National Mitigation and Ecosystem Banking Conference, in April 2011, in Baltimore, Maryland;
- 2010 Restore America's Estuaries Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration, in November 2010, in Galveston, Texas;
- 2011 National Conference on Engineering & Ecohydrology for Fish Passage, in June 2011, in Amherst, Massachusetts; and
- 2011 Policy Consensus Initiative Symposium: Accelerating Project Delivery through Intergovernmental Collaboration, in April 2011, in Washington, D.C.
- Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) (Prior Year Funding: $400,000). This effort continues past work to make substantial investments in developing methods, tools, and techniques to improve the quality and efficiency of environmental decision-making. FHWA supported several ongoing technology transfer and outreach initiatives to advance planning and environmental linkages, including the following:
- Technical assistance and training. FHWA advanced the adoption of PEL initiatives nationwide through focused workshops, trainings, and peer exchanges.
- The last four of six Structured, Transparent, Accountable, Reproducible, Sustainable (STARS) workshops were completed in Idaho, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Montana. These workshops were effective in providing tools and methods for linking the planning and environmental review processes early and effectively. The workshops convened staff from State DOTs, FHWA Division Offices, and resource and regulatory agencies in each host State to increase participants' understanding of tools that assist in streamlining project development. Participants provided positive feedback on the workshops, which resulted in increased communication among agencies.
- Completed one PEL webcast entitled PEL 101: The Tools for Adopting and Implementing a PEL Approach, in November 2011. A recording of the webinar is available at: http://wwwcf.fhwa.dot.gov/exit.cfm?link=http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/p6o0gm1cj3w.
- Outreach and communication. These activities developed and disseminated resources for stakeholders to use in understanding and implementing PEL activities.
- Maintained the PEL section of the Environmental Review Toolkit website (available at https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/PEL.aspx) in collaboration with the USDOT Volpe Center; and
- Posted relevant EDC/PEL information, particularly as related to those States with processes equivalent to EDC and PEL.
- Research and Innovation Agreements with EPA (Prior Year Funding: $175,000). 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. As part of this agreement, FHWA accomplished the following in FY2011:
- Worked with the EPA Office of Water's Transportation Team to respond to policy and guidance questions and provide input on project-related issues and streamlining tools;
- Continued regular EPA-wide transportation peer exchanges including webinars, conference calls, and information sharing. These information exchanges occurred via regular teleconference calls to address transportation policy issues and focused on EPA's community of practice. EPA liaisons also attended the ICOET conference and participated in community of practice meetings;
- Supported initiatives such as Green Infrastructure, Eco-Logical, EDC, and PEL, in collaboration with EPA staff; worked on charrettes, forums, and produced tools;
- Supported and participated in TRB annual meeting and AASHTO's Standing Committee on the Environment; and
- Generated information and dialogue on ongoing Clean Water Act rule-makings, including those related to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting and waters of the United States.
- Improving Project Delivery through the EDC Initiative. (Prior Year Funding: $500,000). FHWA has a longstanding commitment to improving the environmental review process for transportation projects and ensuring meaningful stewardship of human and natural resources. As part of FHWA's EDC initiative, FHWA renewed its focus on improving project delivery by establishing a research initiative to develop tools. These tools guide and support FHWA Division Offices and States in employing underutilized flexibilities in project development and delivery.
FHWA advanced the following research activities to aid in the implementation of six key EDC initiatives designed to accelerate the environmental review process:
- Provided technical assistance and facilitated peer exchanges for State DOTs, FHWA Division Offices, and Federal/State resource and permitting agencies on various EDC initiatives;
- Initiated a new contract to research available electronic process tools to enhance and expedite the NEPA review process and develop a prototype electronic tool that enhances and expedites interagency collaboration during the preparation and review of environmental documents; and
- Initiated a new contract to synthesize categorical exclusion documentation and best practices from other Federal agencies.
- Advancing Innovations in FHWA's Environmental Review Process (Prior Year Funding: $525,000). FHWA continued to pursue initiatives intended to advance innovations in the environmental review process. FHWA's accomplishments from these initiatives are listed below:
- Utilized the Environmental Document Tracking System to gather data on timeliness and project management for large-scale projects;
- Completed developing and piloting a training course titled "Environmental Factors in Construction and Maintenance" (NHI course 134080);
- Conducted a sixth onsite audit of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) under a pilot program. FY11activities for this audit included audit planning, preparing the audit team, developing logistics for the onsite audit, and interviewing Caltrans staff. This year's audit took place on October 17-21, 2011, and involved onsite visits to five Caltrans District Offices and the Caltrans headquarters' office;
- Continued existing efforts to track and report on the implementation of SAFETEA-LU Section 6009, which amended Section 4(f) law. FHWA submitted a draft Phase II Report to Congress in May 2011 on the implementation of Section 4(f) statute changes; and
- Completed a Freight and NEPA Handbook to assist NEPA practitioners in integrating freight considerations into NEPA analysis. The handbook is available at http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop10033/index.htm.
- Environmental Conflict Resolution (Prior Year Funding: $60,000). FHWA continued its ongoing support to the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution (USIECR) to advance environmental conflict resolution activities. Through this support, USIECR:
- Completed FHWA project assessments in North Carolina and Utah on projects that had multiple unresolved issues that affected the project's schedule;
- Planned, coordinated, and facilitated a Section 106 workshop for FHWA, Arizona DOT, and Tribal stakeholders in June 2011 in Arizona; and
- Supported the Native Dispute Resolution Network 2011 Skills Exchange Workshop, which was held in August 2011 in California.
- Environmental Streamlining Outreach and Technology Transfer (Prior Year Funding: $70,000). This research effort made substantial investments to develop methods, tools, and techniques that improve the quality and efficiency of environmental decision-making. Through this effort, FHWA supported several ongoing technology transfer and outreach initiatives. Accomplishments included the following:
- Revised and updated the online Environmental Review Toolkit (https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/), which has received 318,773 unique visits. The toolkit is continually revised and updated. As part of these updates, FHWA conducted an annual review and certification of website material to ensure accuracy;
- Published 12 issues of Successes in Stewardship (https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs_resources_tools/publications/SIS.aspx), a newsletter that highlights current environmental streamlining practices from around the country. The USDOT Volpe Center assisted FHWA in selecting topics for the newsletter and drafting each issue; and
- Conducted outreach to over 300 attendees at the first Green Streets and Highways Conference in Colorado in November 2010. The conference advanced livable and sustainable outcomes through program initiatives, research efforts, and grant programs. FHWA helped to organize and oversee the conference and presented related best practices and current research through facilitating discussion sessions that involved 25 FHWA Division Administrators, State and Federal leaders, FHWA staff, and the consulting community. A report summarizing the conference is available at www.tanddi.org/files/pdf/FINALGreenHighwaysConfReport_INTERACTIVE.pdf.
Context Sensitive Solutions
Emphasis Area Contact: Shari Schaftlein
Level of FY2011 Funding: $100,000
- National Dialogue Workshops (FY2011: $361,283). FHWA initiated a new contract with the Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Clearinghouse to host a series of ten additional National Dialogue workshops over the next 30 months to:
- Deliver CSS principles and practices to a wide array of partner organizations;
- Strengthen and broaden the constituency for CSS;
- Discover new opportunities for partnerships;
- Bring new perspectives to the practice of planning, designing, building, and maintaining transportation facilities; and
- Foster a CSS community of practice.
All National Dialogue products and follow-up activities will be posted and promoted via the Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/css/.
FHWA also initiated a new contract to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of various CSS highway elements, as well as the evaluation of those elements within the context of safety from a quantitative, substantive, analytical, and technical perspective. The evaluations will be completed along with other technical tools already available to the highway professional. Final findings will be presented and published in an information report or identified as a recommended practice, depending on professionals' technical needs and guidance.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Disseminate CSS Outreach Products, Message, and Performance Measures /Development of CSS Outreach Materials. (Prior Year Funding: $150,000). This effort supported development and outreach related to the Institute of Transportation Engineers' (ITE) recommended practice, Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach. Final materials resulting from the project were posted on the CSS website, available at www.ite.org/css/ . These materials included the following:
- Case studies. Final portable document format (PDF) versions for two CSS case studies: 1) Contra Costa Centre Transit Village; and 2) Lancaster Avenue;
- Web briefings. Final PowerPoint presentations and recordings for two web seminars: 1) CSS Case Study Successes in Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares; and 2) Designing Safety and Security into Walkable Urban Thoroughfares;
- ITE Journal article. The final version of the ITE Journal article titled "Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: From Concept to Recommended Practice" was published in the September issue of the ITE Journal.
- Fact sheets and PowerPoint presentations. These included: 1) final versions of nine CSS fact sheets; 2) a CSS overview PowerPoint presentation; 3) a full PowerPoint presentation; and 4) CSS appendices; and
- Performance measures-Final version.
- CSS Clearinghouse (Prior Year Funding: $100,000). FHWA continued its support for the CSS Clearinghouse, which facilitates a national information exchange on CSS-related issues and topics. Since 2005, the CSS Clearinghouse, available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/css/, has served as the central community of practice for the industry. The clearinghouse saves time for agencies and practitioners while providing them with access to important information. CSS activities, resources, and information disseminated through the clearinghouse included the following efforts:
- Launched new homepage design. Since July 2011, the website has had 16,214 visits and 33,338 page views; and
- Hosted four national webinars on CSS-related topics. The webinar topics were: sustainability, corridor planning, urban forestry, and safety.
Emphasis Areas Related to Planning
Congestion
Emphasis Area Contact: Harlan Miller
Level of FY2011 Funding: $200,000
- A Framework for Travel Demand Management (TDM) in the Transportation Planning Process (FY2011: $75,000). This effort created a draft desk reference to provide understanding of where, how, and when to integrate TDM into the transportation planning process. The guidance focused on how TDM relates to key policy objectives that are often included in transportation plans, such as congestion and air quality. It also discussed how TDM might be integrated into statewide, regional, corridor, and local transportation planning. Finally, the reference provided examples, case studies, and best practices. The document is anticipated to be complete by spring 2012.
- Conduct Workshops on Applying Innovative Analysis Tools in Planning for Operations (FY2011: $75,000). FHWA held the following eight workshops on applying innovative analysis tools in planning for operations: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in October 2010; Las Vegas, Nevada, in December 2010; Los Angeles, California in February 2011; Buffalo, New York in July 2011; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July 2011; Austin, Texas in August 2011; and Columbus, Ohio in September 2011. Workshop participants included State DOT and MPO staff.
- Guidebook for Equity Analysis (Congestion Pricing). (FY2011: $50,000). Development of the Guidebook for Equity Analysis (congestion pricing) began in FY2011 with a literature review, research, and interviews with experts. The Guidebook will serve as a resource document to State DOTs, MPOs, local agencies, and project sponsors on conducting an equity analysis for tolled or priced roads to help them ensure that equity (for low income, minority, and traditionally underserved populations) is appropriate and adequate.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Congestion Management Process (CMP): A Guidebook; Showcasing Visualization Tools in Congestion Management; and Case Studies of the Congestion Management Process (Prior Year Funding: $180,000). FHWA completed the Congestion Management Process: A Guidebook, which highlights effective congestion management methods and practices. FHWA also completed the report titled Showcasing Visualization Tools in Congestion Management, which highlights the effective use of visualization tools in congestion management. FHWA completed Case Studies of the Congestion Management Process, which highlights case studies on the CMP at seven MPOs around the country. All resources listed above are available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/congestion_management_process/. FHWA also hosted a webinar to roll out the guidebook to State and MPO staff. Additional webinars are being planned for FY2012.
Safety Planning
Emphasis Area Contact: Lorrie Lau
Level of FY2011 Funding: $50,000
- Transportation Safety Planning (TSP) (FY2011: $50,000). TSP efforts continued as a joint collaboration between the FHWA Office of Planning and the FHWA Office of Safety. FHWA re-scoped the TSP contract and awarded a new contract to develop:
- A tool to strengthen linkages between the regional transportation planning process and the Strategic Highway Safety Plan through a regional safety planning process;
- A TSP leadership workshop; and
- A training package for local officials and decision-makers on TSP.
In conjunction with the TRB TSP Working Group (TSPWG), FHWA developed a new document entitled Integrating Road Safety into NEPA Analysis: Practitioner's Primer. The primer presented a brief introduction on addressing safety within the NEPA process. It also provided information on methods to conduct meaningful, quantitative analysis of project safety issues and information on recent tools, research, and techniques to improve road safety. The primer was designed for NEPA practitioners who want to learn more about best practices for analyzing and addressing project safety issues during each stage of the NEPA process. It was intended to help safety practitioners understand the basics of the NEPA process and where safety considerations can be incorporated. The completed document is available at https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/nepa/other_disciplines.aspx.
Freight Planning
Emphasis Area Contact: Spencer Stevens
Level of FY2011 Funding: $125,000
- Understanding the Policy and Program Structure of National and International Freight Corridor Programs in the European Union International Scan (FY2011: $50,000). A report was drafted to document findings from an international scan on freight and sustainability. This effort also provided funding for two European Union representatives involved in the scan to present on multi-national freight corridor planning at the FHWA/American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) Freight Partnership IV meeting in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Freight and National Environmental Protection Act Handbook (FY2011: $40,000). This effort produced a guidebook for integrating freight into the planning process. This will be a companion piece to the already published Integrating Freight into NEPA Analysis Guidebook, which is available at www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop10033/index.htm. Drafts of the report have been reviewed and should be ready for publication by the end of FY2012.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Broad Agency Announcement on Tour-Based and Supply Chain Modeling for Freight in Chicago (Prior Year Funding: $251,230). This effort developed a state-of-art modeling framework, identified two key industries for testing the framework, processed calibration data sets, and estimated several model components. The project will continue to provide estimates for the other components of the model. It will also develop software to implement the proposed framework, which combines advanced tour-based and supply chain modeling approaches using disaggregate representations of goods movements and supply chains.
- METRANS: A Freight Analysis and Planning Model (Prior Year Funding: $125,000). This project provided a functional model that can be integrated with existing travel demand forecasting software packages. It offers a useful tool for practitioners to address freight planning issues, leveraging work already conducted on the Argos model for the Southern California region. The model is available at: www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/freight_planning/publications/analysis_planning_model/index.cfm
Public Involvement, Visualization in Planning/Environmental Justice
Emphasis Area Contact: Frederick Bowers, Brenda Kragh, and Susan Grosser
Level of FY2011 Funding: $200,000
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Annual Operation and Maintenance Funding for Joint FHWA/Florida DOT Community Impact Assessment (CIA) Website (Prior Year Funding: $12,600). FHWA and the Florida DOT operated and maintained a joint website on CIAs. FL DOT contracts with the Center for Urban Transportation Research for this expertise on a calendar-year basis and provides oversight of the contract and periodic updates. The website, www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cia/, is used by practitioners to access CIA, public involvement, and EJ reference materials. FHWA maintained the CIA website, including monitoring general operations, addressing broken links, correcting text errors, and adding relevant new links.
Other Activities that Support State/Local/Tribal Planning Capacity Building
Emphasis Area Contact: Kenneth Petty
Level of FY2011 Funding: $0
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Transportation Planner's Accessibility Toolkit (Prior Year Funding: $249,750). This project will enable accessibility-based assessments of transportation improvements through the implementation of a web-based accessibility toolkit. In addition, it will provide analysis capabilities to those who lack access to travel demand forecasting tools or lack the specialized training to use those tools. This project held a kick-off meeting and completed Technical Memorandum #1, which provides a summary of a literature review on accessibility measures and describes data availability and constraints.
- Linking Transportation Planning with Public Health: An Ecological-Based Paradigm for Institutional Collaboration (Prior Year Funding: $121,713). This project is currently underway and will develop an ecological-based planning paradigm to promote greater collaboration among transportation planning and public health agencies for transportation planning and development decision-making. It will address jurisdictional and institutional issues and provide tools and techniques that support State and local planning capacity building
- Project Prioritization and Performance-Based Planning Efforts in Rural and Small Metropolitan Regions (Prior Year Funding: $100,000). A report, entitled Transportation Project Prioritization and Performance-Based Planning Efforts in Rural and Small Metropolitan Regions, was published in September 2011 in partnership with the National Association of Development Organizations' Research Foundation. The report provided an overview of the state-of-the-practice in non-metropolitan regional transportation planning, including contract amounts, regional planning organization tasks, and committee structures. The document also examined rural long-range planning efforts, criteria used to rank regional priority projects, and case studies on statewide and regional planning processes in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington. These case studies offer examples for rural and small metro regions that would like to formalize their planning process. The report is available at www.nado.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/RPOprioritization.pd.
- Transportation Planning Excellence Awards (TPEA) Program (Prior Year Funding: $100,000). The TPEA Program recognizes outstanding initiatives across the country that develop, plan, and implement innovative transportation planning practices. The winners represented a variety of planning organizations from across the county, and were published in an Excellence in Transportation Planning resource report for their peers.
- Incorporating Livability into Rural and Small Metropolitan Transportation Planning (Prior Year Funding: $100,000). This effort produced a report focused on Regional Development Organizations (RDOs) that are working in all types of communities across the country to design and implement strategies to create stronger, more dynamic, and resilient regional economies based on quality of place. The report featured case studies from California, Michigan, North Carolina, and Utah; it also highlighted opportunities available to RDOs to undertake sustainable development initiatives using a systems-based approach.
- Asset Sustainability Index (Prior Year Funding: $126,851). This effort produced a report entitled Asset Sustainability Index that examined metrics that evaluate the sustainability of infrastructure conditions as well as the use of these metrics in Australia, Great Britain, and the private sector. These metrics encourage a long-term, asset management-based approach to managing infrastructure to meet condition targets today and in the future. The report also examined asset management data and systems used in four U.S. States to determine if they could produce long-term sustainability metrics.
- Transportation Planning Workshops for Sustainability and Livability: Bringing Agencies to the Table (Prior Year Funding: $59,877). This project illuminated successes, challenges, and advance practices in planning sustainable and livable communities. It provided practical information for MPO, environmental, planning, transit, and housing decision-makers with a goal to assist with ways to more effectively implement innovative livability planning as part of MPO activities. The workshops also highlighted practical and usable tools and techniques for making sustainability and livability a more integral part of the MPO process.
- Tribal Peer Exchange: New Mexico State DOT Tribal Liaison Coordination and Best Practices (Prior Year Funding: $40,000). This peer exchange, which took place in November 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, convened State DOT Tribal liaisons from around the country to discuss key issues of interest and concern that span the field of Tribal transportation planning. Peers presented a summary of effective practices they have developed and/or implemented, described challenges, successes, and lessons learned associated with the practice(s); and identified resources they used or would like to see developed. The report is available online at http://www.planning.dot.gov/Peer/NewMex/albuquerque_10.pdf
- National Tribal Transportation Conference Support (Prior Year Funding: $30,000). This project supported the planning and management of both the 2011 and 2012 National Tribal Transportation Conferences. This effort included logistical support for presenters and other attendees, production of meeting materials for participants and staffing, and conference support activities, including registration and facilitation. The effort also supported pre-conference planning as well as conference coordination and facilitation.
U.S./Canada and U.S./Mexico Border Planning
Emphasis Area Contact: Roger Petzold
Level of FY2011 Funding: $200,000
- Emissions and Border Wait-Time Analysis (FY2011: $300,000). This effort will provide all material, equipment, labor, and any other items necessary to conduct comprehensive research and analysis of the contribution of vehicle emissions attributed to border wait-times and/or border crossing travel times. Topics and areas for exploration during this research could include, but are not limited to: vehicle emissions and idling, environmental and social impacts, health impacts, congestion and emissions, types of vehicles, including vehicle classification (e.g., passenger, light-duty diesel, heavy-duty diesel, average age) and fuels related to emissions, operational influences on mobility at the crossings, and ancillary effects due to mobility constrains to the area surrounding the border crossings. A contract for this effort was awarded and an expert panel was formed to provide technical oversight. The contractor is developing a detailed work plan to address vehicle emissions at the border due to border wait time.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
National Security, Defense, and Interstate Planning
Emphasis Area Contact: Stefan Natzke
Level of FY2011 Funding: $236,390
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- National Highway System Product Development (Prior Year Funding: $236,390). This project involved coordinating designation changes to the National Highway System (NHS) with State DOTs and modifying the impacted official map record of the NHS map layers. FY2011 was the first year of an ongoing, multi-year effort to update the record of this evolving system.
- International Transportation Economic Development Conference: Economic Impact of Connecting People, Goods, Markets, Employment, Services, and Production (Prior Year Funding: $20,000). This effort involved organizing and implementing the International Transportation and Economic Development Conference in May 2011, in Charleston, West Virginia. The conference provided case studies, data, and other research on the link between transportation and economic development, focusing on challenges related to the economy, global concerns and financial constraint. Conference proceedings are available at www.ited2011.org.
Emphasis Areas Related to Real Estate Services
Real Estate Program Stewardship
Emphasis Area Contact: Carolyn James
Level of FY2011 Funding: $570,000
- Acquisition and Negotiation for ROW for Federal Projects (FY2011: $200,000). FHWA worked with the National Highway Institute (NHI) to develop a new course on ROW acquisition and negotiation for Federal projects. NHI initiated development of this project in FY2012.
- Eminent Domain for Attorneys and Appraisers (FY2011: $200,000). FHWA worked with NHI to establish a new indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to develop a new course on eminent domain for attorneys and appraisers. NHI used the new IDIQ to initiate development of this project in FY2012.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- Alternative Uses of ROW (Prior Year Funding: $35,000). The final report was posted on FHWA's real estate website in January FY2012 and can be found at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/publications/alternative_uses_of_highway_right-of-way/. Additionally, this effort produced research findings published by TRB and a Sustainable Transportation Operations and Infrastructure Workshop held during the TRB Annual Meeting.
- Business Relocation Assistance Retrospective Study (Prior Year Funding $200,000). The final report was completed and posted on FHWA's real estate website in FY2012 athttps://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/publications/business_relocation_assistance/final_report/index.cfm.
- Voluntary Acquisition Best Practices and Implementation (Prior Year Funding $100,000). A kick-off meeting with stakeholders was held in March 2011. Several facilitated discussions and telephone interviews were also held with stakeholders. Research through a document search and legislative history analysis was also initiated and will continue into FY2012. A final report is expected in the summer of 2012.
- Coordination with Railroads to Facilitate Acquisition of ROW (Prior Year Funding $80,000). A kick-off meeting with stakeholders was held in March 2011 and research was initiated and potential interviews planned. A final report is expected in the spring of 2012.
Outdoor Advertising Control
Emphasis Area Contact: Mary Jane Daluge
Level of FY2011 Funding: $10,000
STEP funding supported continuous and ongoing updating, editing, and development of FHWA's real estate website (www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/), dissemination of two newsletters, and supported the Real Estate Exchange (https://www.transportationresearch.gov/dot/fhwa/rex/). Additionally, STEP sponsored and supported two national meetings convening right-of-way (ROW) and outdoor advertising control professionals.
Emphasis Areas Related to Tools to Support Planning and Environment
Travel Modeling
Emphasis Area Contact: Sarah Sun
Level of FY2011 Funding: $500,000
General Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP) Promotion, Outreach and Capacity Building (FY2011: $500,000).TMIP's Web Knowledge and Information Exchange webinar series delivered nine webinars on the following topics (recordings are available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tmip/):
- Travel Model Validation (two parts) in October 2010;
- Household Travel Surveys in January 2011;
- Forecasting Land Use Activities (six parts) in February, March, April, May, June, and September 2011; and
- Open Street Map and Google Transit Feed (March 2011).
The peer review program provides an opportunity for planning agencies to invite a peer review panel to review their models to ensure that the technical processes they are applying meet standards of professional practice and meet Federal, State, or local planning requirements. TMIP supports peer reviews by assisting agencies in panel assembly, logistics, and funding for travel. In FY2011, TMIP conducted five peer reviews in Omaha, Nebraska; Monterey, California; New York, New York; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Burlington, Vermont. Reports from these peer reviews are available upon request.
TMIP also produced and released a document entitled Peer Review Process Guide: How to Get the Most Out of Your Peer Review (available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tmip/resources/peer_review_program/process_guide/).
Furthermore, TMIP conducted a non-motorized travel case study, which was designed to identify factors that influence walk and bike travel. Using data from the National Household Travel Survey, available geographic information systems (GIS), and U.S. Census data, the team identified specific variables associated with the propensity to travel by walking.
The case study approach focused on Chittenden County, Vermont, and included county and sub-county level analyses to assess the influence of completeness and complexity of network coverage for roads and sidewalks as well as a matched-pair analysis to identify why some people walk and others travel by car for the same origin-destination pairs. The study considered only those respondents age 16 or older who reported at least one trip on the travel day. At the county level, the study results suggest that walking is most strongly associated with age, education level, presence of children, type of job, physical activity levels, and a positive attitude toward walking; higher residential densities and presence of shopping centers and social and institutional centers; and an adequate number of good sidewalks or walking paths. The findings suggest that smaller urban areas can promote increased walking through infrastructure investments in and near areas with higher residential densities and more shopping centers and social/institutional centers. In addition, education about the benefits of walking may also influence mode choice.
GIS/Spatial Information for Improved Decision Making
Emphasis Area Contact: Mark Sarmiento
Level of FY2011 Funding: $180,000
- GIS Applications in Transportation Case Studies (FY2011: $90,000). Topics were identified for a series of case studies on GIS applications in transportation, including noise, environmental streamlining, and renewable energy opportunities along State DOT ROWs. A preliminary list of potential participants was identified for a case study focused on GIS and noise issues.
- GIS Applications in Transportation Peer Exchanges (FY2011: $90,000). A list of potential participants was developed for a peer exchange focusing on the use of GIS in the area of highway noise. This peer exchange will take place in spring 2012.
The following research activities had accomplishments in FY2011 but were funded through prior years of STEP funding.
- GIS Peer Exchanges (Prior Year Funding: $90,000). Three peer exchanges were completed in FY2011 and focused on GIS applications to support livability, safety, and climate change considerations. The USDOT Volpe Center summarized each peer exchange in a report. The reports are available on the FHWA GIS in Transportation website at: https://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/reports.asp.
- GIS Case Studies (Prior Year Funding: $60,000). Two case study reports were completed: Applying Geospatial Tools to Livability Issues and Climate Change Applications of GIS. These reports are available at https://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/reports.asp.
- Enhancement of the National Highway Planning Network (NHPN) (Prior Year Funding: $234,850). This project updated NHPN, which contains line features representing over 450,000 miles of current and planned interstates, principal arterials, and rural minor arterials in all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The network will be made available through the USDOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration's National Transportation Atlas Database.
- GIS in Transportation Newsletter (Prior Year Funding: $25,000). Four newsletters were published that focused on a variety of GIS topics, efforts, and activities, particularly those that State DOTs initiated. The newsletters are available at: https://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/newsletters.asp.
- GIS in Transportation Webcasts (Prior Year Funding: $25,000). Four webcasts were delivered that focused on the following topics: Missouri DOT's Traveler Information Map; the Appalachian Development Highway System GIS; the Coastal Adaptation to Sea Level Rise Tool; and integrated environmental planning tools for enhancing environmental, transportation, and Tribal capacity. Summaries of the webcasts are available at: https://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/webcasts.asp.
Program Management and Outreach
Emphasis Area Contact: Patricia Cazenas
Level of FY2011 Funding: $1,120,000
- Program Management and Outreach (FY 2011: $1,120,000). Accomplishments included the following:
- Presented at numerous national meetings;
- Conducted two Excellence in Transportation Planning webinars, an EJ webinar and a real estate services webinar, which included emphasis area information along with discussions on the STEP program and how to engage and solicit input from external stakeholders;
- Produced STEP program highlights fact sheets;
- Participated in the TRB Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.;
- Submitted information on current STEP research to the TRB's Research in Progress database, available at http://rip.trb.org;
- Submitted information to the U.S. DOT Research Hub, a searchable database of the latest agency-sponsored research, development, and technology projects. The database acts as a central location for information on projects funded by U.S. DOT operating administrations and provides links to research reports and other products;
- Posted a Federal Register notice to solicit feedback for the FY2012 STEP Implementation Plan;
- Provided website support for FHWA's Office of Planning, Environment and Realty's research and programs. STEP documents posted on the website (www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/) include: STEP Federal Register notice, FY2011 STEP Implementation Strategy, and STEP webinar summaries. The website is used by emphasis area contacts to better share new information about STEP events and product;
- Coordinated development and implementation of research initiatives with SHRP2 and the National Cooperative Research Highway Program (NCHRP); and
- Processed approximately 276 procurement requests and 10 allocation memos 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.
