Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Texas A&M Transportation Institute 2012 Transportation Short Course October 16-17, 2012

PEL Process Overview

What is PEL? • A new approach to transportation decision-making Considers environmental issues early in the transportation

planning process Utilizes planning decisions and analyses in NEPA

• An FHWA Everyday Counts Initiative Supported by 23 CFR 450.212 and 318, Appendix A Voluntary process

FHWA PEL Tools and Guidance: http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp

What is PEL?

• For TxDOT, a PEL study typically refers to a planning study at the corridor or subarea level More focused than

regional or system level planning studies

More general than project-specific NEPA study

When Should You Use PEL?

Helpful for:

In cases of:

• Defining problems, • Identifying potential solutions • Documenting decisions in

planning

To carry forward

NEPA

process

Limited funding

Project complexity

Previous studies that have become outdated

Products from PEL Study • Key products from a PEL Study include:

Purpose and need or goals and objectives statement(s);

General travel corridor and/or general mode(s) definition;

Preliminary screening of alternatives;

Basic description of the environmental setting; and/or

Preliminary identification of environmental impacts and environmental mitigation

Requirements for Use in NEPA

• PEL Studies must include:

Involvement of interested State, Local, Tribal, and Federal agencies and the public;

Review by FHWA and FTA, as appropriate;

Clear documentation;

Public availability of planning documents throughout the NEPA process

Benefits of the PEL Approach • Address complex

environmental challenges early and avoid environmentally sensitive natural resources;

• Design projects that meet mobility, environmental, and community needs; and

• Minimize duplication of efforts and data.

Improves project delivery

times

How is TxDOT Using PEL?

How is TxDOT Using PEL? • IH 35 San Antonio PEL Study currently underway IH 35 from US 281/IH 37 to FM 1103 IH 410 from IH 35 to IH 10

IH 35 SA PEL Study • IH 35 MIS completed in

1996 and transportation need identified in MPO Plan

• PEL Study initiated in September 2011

• Purpose: to incorporate and update previous analyses and re-engage public to inform NEPA process

IH 35 PEL Study Process

IH 35 PEL Study Public Involvement • Public Workshops and Meetings • Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) • Community Advisory Committee (CAC) • Agency Coordination • Social Media

IH 35 PEL Study Results • Need and Purpose • Affected Environment • Reduced number of

alternative concepts to consider in NEPA (from 11 to 2)

• Process Documentation • Re-engagement of

agencies and the public

IH 35 PEL Study Results

• Items to be explored further in NEPA:

Number of Lanes

Engineering and Design Configurations

Project Financing

TxDOT PEL Lessons Learned

• Early and frequent coordination with agencies and the public

• Planning study must meet regulatory criteria to be useful in NEPA

• Documentation of process and results

Future TxDOT PEL Studies

• TxDOT plans to initiate two additional PEL studies in the San Antonio area:

IH 35 from US 281/IH 37 to US 90

IH 35 Bypass Corridor

Questions? Jonathan Bean, P.E. Director of TP&D TxDOT San Antonio District