Planning and Environment

Linkages Program

OARC January 22, 2010OARC January 22, 2010Noel Mehlo – FHWA Ohio DivisionNoel Mehlo – FHWA Ohio Division

FHWA has published FHWA has published A Guide to Measuring Progress in Linking Transportation Planning and Environmental Analysis to assist transportation agencies in to assist transportation agencies in developing their own programs to measure developing their own programs to measure the successes of PEL-related activities.the successes of PEL-related activities.

http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/meas_progress.asp

The Planning & Environment Linkage Program guide provides a framework for establishing measures that transportation agencies can utilize to develop their own

measurement programs

Integrated approach to transportation decision-making

23 CFR 450 and 318 encourages the integration of the information, products and decisions developed during transportation planning into the NEPA process including:

These types of activities were supported These types of activities were supported by the changes in SAFETEA-LU 6001 and by the changes in SAFETEA-LU 6001 and the subsequent update to the planning the subsequent update to the planning regulations that require consultation with regulations that require consultation with resource agencies.resource agencies.

FHWA, ODOT and the resource agencies FHWA, ODOT and the resource agencies are actively working on these efforts.are actively working on these efforts.

How are transportation planning studies How are transportation planning studies integrated into environmental and NEPA integrated into environmental and NEPA

analysis?analysis? FHWA and FTA must be able to stand

behind the overall soundness and credibility of analysis conducted and decisions made during the transportation planning process, which uses the "3-C planning principles, if these decisions are incorporated into a NEPA document, directly or by reference.

Why link transportation planning to Why link transportation planning to environmental processes?environmental processes?

State and local agencies can achieve significant benefits by incorporating environmental and community values into transportation decisions early in planning and carrying these considerations through project development and delivery. Benefits include: Relationship BuildingRelationship Building Process EfficienciesProcess Efficiencies On-the-ground OutcomesOn-the-ground Outcomes

Performance MeasuresPerformance Measures

Performance Measures aim to answer Performance Measures aim to answer questions about whether the performance questions about whether the performance of the transportation system (or economy, of the transportation system (or economy, air quality, etc.) is getting better or worse air quality, etc.) is getting better or worse over time; and whether transportation over time; and whether transportation investments are correlated or linked to investments are correlated or linked to stated goals and outcomes. stated goals and outcomes.

Performance Measures Performance Measures cont.cont.

Examples of performance measures or Examples of performance measures or metrics could be based on or include:metrics could be based on or include:

AccessibilityAccessibility

MobilityMobility

Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

Quality of LifeQuality of Life

SafetySafety

Framework For Measuring Framework For Measuring ProgressProgress

Step 1: Define program goals and objectives

Step 2: Develop a set of metrics to demonstrate results toward reaching the defined goals and objectives

Step 3: Assess baseline and develop targets

Step 4: Measure and report results

Why is this important ?Why is this important ?

The use of performance-based measures by transportation agencies is a growing trend that is expected to continue.

While most of the traditional measures used by transportation agencies focus on system conditions or operations there has been little application to tracking the successes of integrated planning and environmental stewardship efforts

Why is this important Why is this important (cont.)(cont.) ? ?

Establishing metrics related to integrated planning and environmental stewardship will allow transportation agencies to demonstrate that they are committed to monitoring their progress in integrating environmental considerations throughout the transportation decision-making process.

ConclusionConclusionThis guide is intended to serve as a resource for transportation agencies interested in measuring their

successes in integrating transportation planning and environmental analysis.

Focus on the measures most relevant to your situation and needs.

Use different types of measures.

Use versatile data sources.

Use versatile measures.

Plan on making Planning and Environmental Linkages a routine part of how you do business.

Questions??Questions?? Contact information FHWA Ohio Division:Contact information FHWA Ohio Division:

Marcus Wilner, Director of Program DevelopmentMarcus Wilner, Director of Program Developmentmarcus.wilner@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6824, (614) 280-6824

Dave Snyder, Environmental Program ManagerDave Snyder, Environmental Program Manager dave.snyder@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6852dave.snyder@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6852 Frank Burkett, Senior Frank Burkett, Senior Transportation PlannerTransportation Planner

frank.burkett@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6838frank.burkett@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6838 Leigh Oesterling, Air Quality SpecialistLeigh Oesterling, Air Quality Specialist leigh.oesterling@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6837leigh.oesterling@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6837 Noel Mehlo, Transportation PlannerNoel Mehlo, Transportation Planner

noel.mehlo@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6841noel.mehlo@fhwa.dot.gov, (614) 280-6841

For more information:For more information:

The Transportation Planning Process: Key Issues A Briefing Book The Transportation Planning Process: Key Issues A Briefing Book for Transportation Decision-makers, Officials, and Stafffor Transportation Decision-makers, Officials, and Staff http://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/briefingbook/bbook.htm#9BBhttp://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/briefingbook/bbook.htm#9BB

FHWA Planning and Environment Linkages:FHWA Planning and Environment Linkages: www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp#benefits www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp#benefits

FHWA:FHWA: http://nepa.fhwa.dot.gov/ReNepa/ReNepa.nsf/homehttp://nepa.fhwa.dot.gov/ReNepa/ReNepa.nsf/home

www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlngwww.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng

FTA: FTA: www.fta.dot.gov/planning/planning_environment_5222.html www.fta.dot.gov/planning/planning_environment_5222.html