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July/August 2003
Communication Product Updates
Compiled by FHWA's Office of Planning, Environment, & Realty
Vegetation Management
Common Roadside Invasives
This full-color reference guide highlights 100 invasive weeds commonly found along the Nation's roadsides. Included are common terrestrial and quickly spreading herbaceous plants, many of which are widespread and well-established problem weeds. State departments of transportation (DOTs) can use the guide as a tool to train personnel responsible for roadside management. With full-color illustrations of each weed species and lamination for protection from the elements, an accompanying field guide serves as a quick reference.Proceedings of the 2002 Weeds Across Borders Conference
This publication features the proceedings from a conference held in May 2002 to examine the influence of surface transportation on the introduction and spread of invasive plants from a North American perspective. The recent trend to improve highway and rail traffic connections across the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico leads to concerns that exotic plants will spread along the improved corridors as a result of increased cross-border traffic. The proceedings document the goals and results of the conference to connect across-the-border counterparts, share information, and determine possible partnerships that could help combat the further introduction and spread of invasive plants.
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/vegmgt/weedbdrs.htm.Noise
Highway Traffic Noise in the United States: Problem and Response
This brochure, written from a layperson's perspective, discusses the three-part approach to dealing with traffic noise in the United States and contains Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) noise regulations.
See: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/probresp.htm.Entering the Quiet Zone: Noise Compatible Land Use Planning
Targeting local officials, developers, and the public, this brochure provides information about the problem of highway traffic noise and effective solutions, specifically addressing actions that should be part of programs for local growth and development.
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/quietzon/index.htm.Keeping the Noise Down: Highway Traffic Noise Barriers
Aimed at the public, this brochure presents basic information on noise barriers, specifically answering questions about what noise barriers are, when they are required, how they are funded, how they work, etc.
See: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/keepdown.htm.Highway Noise Barrier Design Handbook
A state-of-the-art technical reference, this manual covers acoustical and nonacoustical considerations in the design of noise barriers. Featuring common concepts, designs, materials, and installation techniques, the manual targets professional highway engineers, acoustical designers, planners, and nonprofessional community members.
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/manual.htm.Air Quality
Transportation Air Quality: Selected Facts and Figures
This brochure provides an overview of facts and figures on the linkages between transportation and air quality. The brochure focuses on transportation-related emissions trends, policies, technologies, and standards that affect on-road mobile sources, including automobiles and light- and heavy-duty trucks.
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/aqfactbk/index.htm or contact Adrica Coates at 202-366-6724.The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program
This pamphlet provides an overview of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), including information on funding levels, eligibility, and benefits of CMAQ-funded projects.
See: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cmaq/index.htm or contact Adrica Coates at 202-366-6724.A Sampling of Emissions Analysis Techniques For Transportation Control Measures Final Report
This report describes modeling tools and techniques for assessing the emissions benefits of control measures in transportation projects applying for CMAQ funds.
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cmaqeat/index.htm or contact Adrica Coates at 202-366-6724.Strategic Workplan for Particulate Matter Research: 2000 to 2004
Summarizing the state of knowledge of transportation-related pollution from particulate matter, this workplan examines future research needs for the monitoring, characterization, analysis, and control of pollution from particulate matter.
See: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/pm/stratwkp/index.htm or contact Adrica Coates at 202-366-6724.It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air: A Collaborative Transportation and Air Quality Public Education and Partnership Building Initiative, The First Five Years
It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air is a joint effort by FHWA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to educate the public about the connections between travel choices, congestion, and air quality. The report describes how FHWA and EPA initiated the campaign and shares the experiences of the demonstration communities that first implemented the program.
Visit: www.italladdsup.gov/pdfs/toolkit/Inside_Report30.pdf or contact Kathy Daniel at 202-366-6276.Air Quality Conformity
Transportation Conformity: A Basic Guide for State and Local Officials
See: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conformity/con_bas.htm.Transportation Conformity Reference Guide
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conformity/ref_guid/index.htm.Research Products
See: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conformity/con_res.htm.Sensitivity Analysis of MOBILE6
Motor Vehicle Emission Factor Model
FHWA recently completed a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the model behavior of MOBILE6, the current EPA model for emissions factors. The results provided an understanding of the model's behavior, especially the impacts of using localized data as compared with national default data. For copies of the report, contact Tianjia Tang at 404-562-3673.
Visit: www.kytc.state.ky.us/Multimodal/pdf/Mobile6-RC.pdf.Water Quality
The National Highway Runoff Data And Methodology Synthesis
This report provides an overview of the characteristics of highway stormwater runoff to help decisionmakers, planners, and highway engineers assess and mitigate possible adverse impacts on the Nation's receiving waters. It also provides a catalog of information, defines the necessary documentation needed to ensure the validity of data for water quality analyses, and evaluates available sources for current and foreseeable information needs. Contact Patricia Cazenas at 202-366-4085.Management of the Discharge and Quality Of Highway Runoff in Karst Areas to Control Impacts to Ground Water
This publication presents the results of a pooled fund study to address the impacts of stormwater runoff from highways on groundwater in karst areas. The project also tested the effectiveness of a peat-filtration system in removing contaminants from highway runoff. Contact Connie Hill at 804-775-3378.Brownfields
Transportation Options for Brownfield Redevelopment
Describing the results of a study conducted to understand the nature of brownfield-transportation developments around the country, this report identifies factors that promote the success of such developments and describes the extent to which U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) programs have been instrumental in their success. The final report is under review and should be available by late 2003. Contact Connie Hill at 804-775-3378.Wildlife
Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Across European Highways
This report presents the findings from an international technology scan tour sponsored by FHWA, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. The goal of the scan was to learn about European strategies to address habitat and wildlife issues associated with transportation systems. A delegation of Federal, State, and conservation group representatives visited France, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Switzerland to observe and document efforts in Europe. The report provides conclusions and recommendations for U.S. applications in the areas of policy, communications, guidance manuals, and research on wildlife and transportation.
Visit: http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/Pdfs/wildlife_web.pdf.Wetlands
Wetlands Accounting Database
FHWA developed this interactive database as a tool to provide users with updatable information on all classes of highway projects with wetlands impacts and 404 permit requirements. The database can track and summarize the status of wetlands permits and data on impacts and mitigation for construction projects on a State, regional, or national basis. Information available in the database includes project number and type (bridge, reconstruction, etc.), location, drainage characteristics of the wetlands impacted, mitigation activities, costs per unit area, and the status of project permits. The database will help manage wetlands impacts from highway projects and compile performance data on mitigation tactics. For a copy of the database, contact Fred Bank in the FHWA Office of Natural and Human Environment at 202-366-5004 or fred.bank@fhwa.dot.gov.Environmental Streamlining
Highway and Transit Environmental Streamlining Progress Summary: Report to Congress February 2002
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/strmlng/ssprtcr.htm.Collaborative Problem Solving: Better and Streamlined Outcomes for All
See: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/strmlng/cmgtnepa.htm.National Procedures for Elevating to the Secretary: Disputes Involving Environmental Reviews of Transportation Projects, Discussion Draft
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/strmlng/npdjan22.htm.Interagency Guidance: Transportation Funding for Federal Agency Coordination Associated with Environmental Streamlining Activities
See: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/strmlng/igdocs/index.htm.Evaluating the Performance of Environmental Streamlining: Development of a NEPA Baseline for Measuring Continuous Performance
Visit: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/strmlng/baseline/index.htm.Successful Efforts in Environmental Streamlining: Eight Case Studies in Project Development
To assist in the future application of Section 1309 of the TEA-21 legislation and other environmental streamlining initiatives, FHWA identified and prepared eight case studies that highlight successful measures to move a highway project through the NEPA process. Copies are available on CD. Contact Kreig Larson at 202-366-2056 or kreig.larson@fhwa.dot.gov.Evaluating the Performance of Environmental Streamlining—Development of a NEPA Baseline for Measuring Continuous Performance: Phase II Report
This report is a followup to the initial Phase I Report. Phase II examines more than twice the number of transportation projects cataloged in the previous investigation, focusing on projects with environmental impact statements that were completed between 1995 and 2001. Contact Kreig Larson at 202-366-2056 or kreig.larson@fhwa.dot.gov.
Other Articles in this issue:
Nurturing an Environmental Perspective
A New Approach to Road Building
Centering on Environmental Excellence
Air Quality and Transportation
July/August 2003 · Vol. 67 · No. 1
