FHWA Research And Technology Evaluation: eNEPA

FHWA-HRT-20-044

FHWA Research and Technology Evaluation: eNEPA

Gina Filosa

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, OST-R
55 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02142-1001

Office of Corporate Research, Technology, andInnovation Management
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296

The Research and Technology Program Manager and Contracting Officer's Representative for this report was John Moulden (HRTM-10).

This report evaluates the use of eNEPA, particularly the use by State departments of transportation (DOTs) and other transportation stakeholders. The evaluation team collected information on the breadth and depth of eNEPA use, usability of eNEPA, and effectiveness of eNEPA at reducing projects' environmental-review timeline and improving timing, quantity, and quality of interagency collaboration in developing environmental documents. Data collected through a literature review and stakeholder interviews suggest that eNEPA 2.0 has not been in use long enough for users to realize its full benefits. State DOTs have primarily used eNEPA's document-manager and file-sharing functions and have not fully applied eNEPA for project reviews. By focusing its outreach and education on those State DOTs that can most benefit from using the tool, FHWA can continue to increase the adoption and use of eNEPA. While eNEPA may not ever be widely used by State DOTs, the more State DOTs use the tool, and therefore build their comfort with and expertise in using it, the more benefits they are likely to experience.

eNEPA, environmental review

Unclassified