Federal Highway Administration’s (FWHA) Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (S

1. Federal Highway Administration’s (FWHA)Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) “STEP: A Federal Research Program – Conducting Research That Links to Practice” Webinar November 16, 2009 1 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

2. Agenda Welcome Remarks from the HEP Associate Administrator STEP Program Overview STEP Emphasis Area Research Highlights Presentations Questions & Answers Session 3 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

3. What is FHWA’s STEP? STEP Background • A federally-administered nationally oriented research program • Authorized in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users (SAFETEA-LU) • Section 5207 – Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) 4 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

4. STEP Objectives Improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation, planning, and the environment Identify, address, and reassess national research priorities for environment, planning and realty 5 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

5. Legislative Guidance SAFETEA-LU requires, to the maximum extent practicable, that: Best projects and researchers based on merit, open solicitations, and selection by a panel of appropriate experts; DOT has a qualified, permanent core staff; Stakeholders are involved in program governance; and No duplication with the Future Strategic Highway Research Program (Section 5210 of SAFETEA-LU) 6 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

6. How is FHWA’s STEP funded? • SAFETEA-LU authorized $16.875 million per year for FY2006-2009 • Part of Title V Research – funds authorized in 5101(a)(1) • Approximately $14 million anticipated to be available in FY10 due to obligation limitations and rescissions • FY10 subject to Continuing Resolution and anticipated authorization legislation 7 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

7. Who gets FHWA’s STEP money? • STEP funds can be awarded to: • State governments • Metropolitan planning organizations • Local governments • Universities • Federal agencies • Private sector 8 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

8. How are FHWA’s STEP funds awarded? • A variety of procurement mechanisms are used to award STEP funds including: • Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ) • Interagency agreements • Grants • Cooperative agreements • Small purchase contracts • Broad Agency Announcements are used to obtain broad & diverse perspectives and options for advancing research initiatives 9 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

9. FHWA’s STEP Challenges • Congress mandated a 50% non-Federal share for grants & cooperative agreements • “Non-Federal match” requirement does not apply to contracts or Federal Interagency Agreements • SAFETEA-LU does not allow University Transportation Center or State Planning and Research funds to be used as the non-Federal match for STEP • Primary source of funding for all FHWA Planning and Environment research • Support research that impacts a broad array of stakeholders 10 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

10. Stakeholder Involvement • On-going outreach & stakeholder feedback are used to refine & implement the national STEP research agenda • Partnerships are formed to leverage funds with other sources including: • Federal, State and Local agencies • National Cooperative Highway Research Program • Future Strategic Highway Research Program • Pooled funds & foreign jurisdictions • Examples of outreach activities include: • National workshops • Annual community-of-practice conferences • Program advisory groups • Peer reviews 11 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

11. STEP Stakeholders • Tier I Stakeholders: • Federal Agencies and Tribes • Tier II Stakeholders: • State and Local Government • Tier III Stakeholders: • Nongovernmental Transportation and Environmental Stakeholders 12 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

12. Implementation Timeline Winter Begin to implement current fiscal year Spring Refine STEP Implementation Strategy Publish Federal Register Notice Update website to solicit feedback on next fiscal year STEP activities Spring/Summer Develop priorities for and fund critical research Develop next draft fiscal year STEP Plan Fall/Winter Post current fiscal year plan on STEP website 13 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

13. Overview of FY10 STEP Activities A Federal Register Notice was published on September 4, 2009 The deadline for comments is December 3, 2009 The target date for completion of the FY2010 STEP Plan is Spring 2010 Funding levels subject to completion of FY2010 appropriations and anticipated authorization legislation 14 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

14. How Do Stakeholders Participate in FHWA’s STEP Research Program? • Review FY2010 STEP Strategy • Develop suggested lines of research • Submit feedback • Review Annual Plan • Monitor FedBizOpps.gov • Contact & work with STEP emphasis areas 15 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

15. Examples of STEP Feedback • Conduct more research in terms of green infrastructure planning and environmental mitigation strategies. Calculate the true stewardship costs for wetland and buffer mitigation sites. The costs should include at a minimum: review of the baseline report, a site visit, identification of problem areas such as the presence of exotic/invasive species, corrective actions for the problem and reporting. • Evaluate CSS performance - "how do we know it's working?" is a question frequently asked by upper management. Such evaluation tools will help provide support for funding CSS initiatives locally. Also, any type of procedural tools - steps, checklists, techniques, etc. are helpful for getting the engineering/technical staff involved in CSS components like effective communication, stakeholder involvement, public involvement, etc. • Monitor highway vehicle traffic emissions for use to establish emissions gradients along highway (and smaller road) corridors in order to demarcate the impacted area; emissions gradient would be used as a planning tool so that residential, school, hospital, and other sensitive receptors could be located outside the affected area. 16 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

16. Proposed FY2010 STEP Emphasis Areas 17 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

17. The Office of Natural & Human Environment Presenter: Mark Ferroni STEP Emphasis Areas Air Quality Contact: Cecilia Ho Climate Change Contact: Robert Ritter Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health Contact: Gabe Rousseau Noise Contact: Mark Ferroni www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment 17 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

18. Air Quality Research Highlights Recently Completed: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Evaluation and Assessment Study www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cmaqpgs/safetealu1808/index.htm Evaluation and Dissemination of Conformity Practiceshttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conformity/practices/index.cfm Conference Support: Northern Transportation and Air Quality Summit 2008www.marama.org/ntaqs/ AASHTO Air Quality Practitioners Conference 2008 www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment 18 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

19. Air Quality Research Highlights Research Underway: Mobile Source Air Toxics Near Roadway Study MOVES sensitivity analysis Transportation and Air Quality Emissions Analysis Modeling procedures and applications of MOVES Advanced  methods in conducting project level emissions analysis Air quality outreach and communication strategies Air Quality Health Effects and Highway Proximity (Health Effects Institute) • Contact: Cecilia.Ho@dot.gov www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment 19 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

20. Global Climate Change Research Highlights Adaptation Research: Phase II of the Gulf Coast Study Working group on Global Climate Change (GCC) impacts Develop framework to conduct assessments Mitigation Research: 13-agency workgroup on Transportation, Land Use and GCC Two pilot projects on carbon sequestration in rights-of-way Study to reduce energy use through planning for mega-regions Develop sustainability evaluation and planning guidance Contact: Robert.Ritter@dot.gov www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment 20 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

21. Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health Research Highlights Research goals: Identify and promote best practices Evaluate environmental and health benefits of increased walking and bicycling Improve data and modeling of walking and bicycling trips Current projects: National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse www.enhancements.org FHWA/AASHTO International Scan on Walking and Bicyclinghttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/pbssumm.htm Continued support for the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program Contact: Gabriel.Rousseau@dot.gov www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment 21 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

22. Noise Research Highlights FHWA Traffic Noise Model Development of Version 3.0 Testing and Validation Increased Ldn Capabilities Pavement Validation Study Tire/Pavement Noise Temperature Effects Study TPF-5(135) Participation Contact: Mark.Ferroni@dot.gov www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment 22 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

23. FHWA, Office of Planning Presenter: Kenneth Petty STEP Emphasis Areas Activities that Support State, Local, Contact: Kenneth Petty and Tribal Planning Capacity Building Planning Congestion Contact: Harlan Miller Public Involvement, Environmental Contact: Brenda Kragh Justice, and Visualization in Planning Freight Planning Contact: Spencer Stevens Safety Planning Contact: Lorrie Lau Travel Modeling Contact: Sarah Sun http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/index.htm 23 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

24. Activities that Support State, Local, and Tribal Planning Capacity Building Research Highlights Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB) Program www.planning.dot.gov TPCB Program: Peer Program and Scenario Planning Workshopshttp://www.planning.dot.gov/peer.asp#about 24

25. Activities that Support State, Local, and Tribal Planning Capacity Building Research Highlights • http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/tribaltrans/lrtpmod.htm http://www.planning.dot.gov/resourceSearch.asp http://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/annualreport/annualreport_04-08.asp 25 www.planning.dot.gov

26. Activities that Support State, Local, and Tribal Planning Capacity Building Research Highlights • Research Underway: • Executive Roundtable: Performance-based Planning and Programming • Management Practices in Developing Fiscal Constraint for STIPs, TIPs, and MTPs • Livability in Transportation Best Practices Guidebook • Best Practices in Transportation Planning: Performance Measures, Environmental Mitigation, and Fiscal Constraint • A Guide to Measuring Progress in Linking Transportation Planning and Environmental Analysis 26 www.planning.dot.gov

27. Congestion Research Highlights Research Underway: Identifying Statewide Opportunities for Linking Planning and Operations Benchmarking and Targeted Technical Assistance Update Ridesharing/TDM resources Confidential GPS Travel Survey Data Center TDM and the Congestion Management Process Congestion and Environmental Analysis http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/congestion/ 27 www.planning.dot.gov

28. Public Involvement, Environmental Justice, Visualization in Planning Research Highlights • Research Underway: • Transportation and Environmental Justice Best Practices Guidebookhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/pubinv2.htm • “A Guide to Transportation Decisionmaking”http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/citizen/ • Community Impact Assessment and Public Involvement Websiteshttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cia.htm 28

29. Freight Planning Research Highlights Research underway: International Scan on Policy and Program Structure of National and International Freight Corridor Programs Integrating Freight into NEPA Analysis Handbook Freight and Air Quality Handbook Freight and Land Use Peer Exchange 29 www.planning.dot.gov

30. Safety Research Highlights Research Underway: • Updating the NHI, Transportation Safety Planning Coursehttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/scp/index.htm • A Primer on Safety Performance Measures and the Transportation Planning Processhttp://tsp.trb.org/assets/web_fact_sheet_index.pdf • Transportation Planner’s Safety Desk Reference http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/tsp/fact_sheet.cfm • Linkages between Transportation Safety Planning, Operations and NEPA 30 www.planning.dot.gov

31. Travel ModelingResearch Highlights • Research Underway: • Support TRB in Establishing a National Travel Forecasting Resource • 2005-2007 CTPP Profiles • Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP) Web Knowledge and Information Exchange Webinar Series • TMIP Website and Email Listserve 31 http://tmip.fhwa.dot.gov/

32. The Office of Real Estate Services Presenter: Carolyn James STEP Emphasis Areas Real Estate Program Stewardship Contact: Carolyn James Outdoor Advertising Control Contact: Edward Kosola 32 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

33. Outdoor Advertising Control Research Highlights The Commercial Electronic Variable Message Sign (CEVMS) Study — http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/cevms.htm Neutral Assessment of the National Outdoor Advertising Control Program – National Policy Dialogue http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm 33 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

34. Real Estate Program Stewardship Research Highlights • Outreach and Informational Dissemination Programs • The FHWA International Right of Way and Utilities Scanhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/scans/rowutilint08.htm • Real Estate Exchangehttp://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/cops/rex.nsf/home • The 11th Annual Education Conference on the Control of Outdoor Advertisinghttp://www.nahba.org/ • Excellence in ROW Awardshttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/rowea.htm • Federal Agency Update http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm 34 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

35. Real Estate Program Stewardship Research Highlights Additional Realty Research Highlights Right of Way, Design-Build, and Acquisition Models Relocation Assistance Retrospective Study Integrating Visualization Technologies into the Right-of-Way Processes Peer Exchange - Use of Incentive Payments in Right-of-Way Acquisition and Relocation Programs http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/incpeerexch.htm Development of a Right Of Way Competency Navigator and Capacity Building and Training Curriculum Clearinghouse Identification and Development of Local Public Agency (LPA) Stewardship Tools and Techniques http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm 35 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

36. The Office of Project Development & Environmental Review Presenter: Shari Schaftlein STEP Emphasis Areas Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/ Contact: Carol Adkins Wildlife/Habitat/Brownfields Historic Preservation Contact: MaryAnn Naber Environmental Streamlining Contact: Shari Schaftlein & Stewardship Context Sensitive Solutions Contact: Shari Schaftlein (CSS) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm 36 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

37. Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat/Brownfields Research Highlights Chloride Study International Best Management Practices (BMP) Stormwater Databasehttp://www.bmpdatabase.org http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm 37 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

38. Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat/Brownfields Research Highlights Indiana Bat Northeast States Literature Synthesis Invasive species in wetland mitigation Section 404 and 10 web-based course • FHWA ESA Section 7 Consultation Web SiteHTTP://ESAFHWA.ORG http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm 38 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

39. Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat/ Wildlife Vehicle Collision Study-Congressional Report, Best Practices Manual Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reporthttp://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08034/ Best Practiceshttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/hconnect/wvc/index.htm/ International Conference on Ecology & Transportation Adapting to Changehttp://www.icoet.net/ICOET2009.asp Culvert Design Field Test: HEC-26 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm 39 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

40. FHWA Grants for “Eco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects” • Funded Research Underway: • Integrate transportation and environmental • planning through to project level efforts • for economic, environmental, & societal needs & objectives • $1.4 million to fund work through 2011 • 15 projects selected from nationwide solicitation • Diversity of funded recipients across the nation; • State and local transportation agencies, • State resource agencies, • Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), • Local governments, • Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), • Academia (University) • Future Grant Cycle Anticipated Map of locations of funded recipients 40 http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecological/eco_entry.asp

41. Environmental Streamlining & Stewardship Research Highlights • Green Highways Partnership – Watershed Resource Registry - http://www.greenhighways.org • HQ Liaisons – New EPA position, Peer Exchange, Funded positions study - bachle.laura@epa.gov • Communities of Practice: Re:NEPA, Successes in Streamlining • New Course: Env. Factors in Construction & Maintenance • SAFETEA-LU Performance (6002, 6005, 6009, EDTS, National Survey) 41 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

42. Environmental Streamlining & Stewardship Research Highlights • Planning and Environment Linkages • Conservation & Transportation Planning Workshop • Visualization case studies and workshop • Linking Planning & National Environmental Policy Act support tools • Adaptation to Climate Change Effects • Conflict Resolution – New Course, Consultant Services • 4(f) NHI training 42 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

43. Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Research Highlights CSS Clearinghouse Building a Community of Practice through www.contextsensitivesolutions.org CSS Webinar Series CSS National Dialog 43

44. Historic Preservation Research Highlights Ongoing Historic Preservation Research IAG w/ Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for Research and Innovation Enhanced website featuring case results and agreements MN Tribal experience training Peer exchange for DOT/SHPO liaisons On-deck Historic Preservation Research Best practices for PEL for historic properties Phase II case study digest and dissemination Post WWII housing model w/ NCHRP Best practices for historic bridge management http://www.achp.gov/fhwa.html 44 http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/histpres/index.asp

45. The Office of Interstate & Border Planning Presenters: Stefan Natzke & Roger Petzold STEP Emphasis Areas National Security, Defense, & Contact: Stefan Natzke Interstate Planning U.S./Canada & U.S./Mexico Contact: Roger Petzold Border Planning Geographical Information Systems Contact: Mark Sarmiento (GIS) STEP Program Management & Contact: Felicia Young Outreach 45 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

46. National Security, Defense & Interstate Planning Research Highlights • Highway System and Corridor Support • Monitoring of Case Studies: Interstate and NHS Economic Development • NHS Designation and Product Development • Electronic Dialogue on Transportation and Economic Development 46 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/nhs

47. U.S./Canada & U.S./Mexico Border Research Highlights Ongoing Research Border Master Plan Develop Bi-National Border Master Plans along the Southern Border Developed Compendium of Border Infrastructure along Northern Border Border Wait Times U.S./Canada Border Wait Time Pilot U.S./Mexico Border Delay and Crossing Times for Freight (4 locations) 47 http://www.borderplanning.fhwa.dot.gov

48. Geographic Information Systems Research Highlights GIS for Improved Decision Making Peer Exchanges Newsletters Webcasts More information at http://gis.fhwa.dot.gov State/Local GIS Practices Database 48 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

49. Program Management & Outreach Coordinate STEP Implementation Seek Opportunities to Leverage STEP Research Outreach Activities STEP Website/Feedback System Annual Report Hot Topic Bulletins 49 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP

50. Stakeholder Input Options Review FY2010 STEP Strategy Develop suggested lines of research Submit feedback by December 3rd Review Annual Plan Monitor http://FedBizOpps.gov Contact & work with STEP emphasis areas Participate in STEP outreach activities https://www.fbo.gov/ 50 www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP