Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO

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Center for Environmental Excellenceby AASHTO

• September 29, 2007
• AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways

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PRACTITIONER HANDBOOKS

• Two Handbooks recently published
• Defining the Purpose and Need and Determining the
  Range of Alternatives for Transportation Projects
• Implementing an Environmental Management System
  in a State DOT
• Three Handbooks developed this year
• Considering Environmental Issues in Statewide and
  Metropolitan Transportation Planning
• Achieving Environmental Streamlining through the
  SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process
• Project Management

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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

• Experts available to assist states with
  environmental matters.
• Hiring consultants in energy, global warming,
  sustainability and GIS.
• Technical experts implementing the Environmental
  Management System Technical Assistance Program.
• Applications for 2007-2008 EMS technical
  assistance sent to the states in the spring.
• Round table discussions on EMS development and
  implementation at the annual meetings of SCOP,
  SCOE, Design, Construction, Maintenance, and
  Materials.

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CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS

• The Center will conduct two CSS peer to peer
  workshops to
• Share information and experiences on the how
  incorporate CSS
• Collaboratively identify best practices that are
  transferable
• Discuss innovative strategies, actions, tools and
  technologies for advancing CSS implementation
• Develop work plans for their state to progress
  along the CSS continuum and
• Collaboratively identify areas for research.

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CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS

• The Center will develop a CSS training program
  for state DOT executives. Training will discuss
  integrating CSS into agencies as the way of doing
  business and how CSS cans assist states with
• Community acceptance
• Environmental compatibility
• Functionality
• Financial feasibility
• Timeliness of delivery
• Sustainable decisions and investments and
• Developing and implementing multi-modal
  projects.

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TAKING THE HIGH ROAD REPORT UPDATE

• Topics include
• Transportation Enhancements
• Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources,
  Including Tribal Consultation
• Recycling and Waste Management
• Air Quality
• Context-Sensitive Solutions
• Brownfields Redevelopment Land Use
• Bicycle and Pedestrian
• Wetlands and Water Quality
• Wildlife and Ecosystems
• Noise Abatement
• Scenic Byways
• Vegetation Management
• EMS
• Energy
• Sustainability
• Partnerships

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CENTER ADVISORY BOARD
Carlos Braceras, SCOH and Maintenance Neil
Pedersen, SCOH Richard Land, Design Bob
Pieplow, Construction Gary McVoy, Maintenance
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CENTER FOCUS AREAS

• Improve Planning and Environmental Processes to
  Achieve Better Results and Timeliness
• Advance Awareness of SAFETEA-LU Environmental
  Provisions and Good Practices
• Advance Use of Technology, Geospatial Tools, and
  Decision Support Tools to Support Integrated
  Decision Making
• Integrate CSS Throughout all Aspects of Planning,
  Project Development, Construction, Maintenance
  and Operations
• Advance Environmental Review Process Innovation
  to Support Congestion Relief and Public Private
  Partnerships
• Promote Commitment Tracking Methods and
  Environmental Management Systems
• Advance and Showcase Exemplary Ecosystem and
  Human Environmental Initiatives
• Increase Availability and Access to
  Information-Sharing/Problem Solving Activities
• Build Partnerships to Leverage and Coordinate the
  Centers Activities and Other Related Research
  Efforts
• Advance National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
  Cost Estimating and Project Oversight Tools

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COMMENTS/INFORMATION

• Shannon Eggleston
• seggleston_at_aashto.org
• [phone]
• www.environment.transportation.org