Volpe Center Year in Review 2008
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Multimodal Systems Research and Analysis
The Multimodal Systems Research and Analysis COI undertakes transportation policy analysis and research that contribute to a compelling vision of the 21st-century transportation enterprise. It also supports decision-making in the development, management, operation, and financing of an integrated multimodal national transportation system that meets today's and tomorrow's mobility needs for goods and people.
The Environmental Competency Navigator: Identifying and Enhancing Environmental and Transportation Skills and Knowledge
Governmental policies such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act seek to include environmental factors in the transportation planning and project development processes. At the same time, today's transportation projects often present unique environmental and regulatory challenges that make understanding and compliance difficult even for experienced practitioners. Officials expect those employed in the environmental analysis and review of transportation projects to possess a depth and breadth of knowledge in both the environment and transportation. Many of these professionals and specialists, however, lack an awareness of (1) the complete range of competencies required for their jobs, (2) the level of understanding necessary in each competency area, and (3) the resources and training opportunities that would help them to develop the requisite skills and knowledge for their work.
To address some of these issues, the Volpe Center collaborated with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Project Development and Environmental Review and the Environmental Competency Building Steering Committee, which collectively comprised members of Federal and state transportation and environmental agencies and private sector firms. Participants identified a suite of environmental competencies and developed a framework for tailoring sets of competencies to job positions. The Volpe Center gathered a comprehensive collection of resources, including webinars, guidance documents, and information on courses and networking events, which it used to develop the Environmental Competency Navigator, an interactive web portal that helps professionals to identify and discover key environmental competencies and allows them to access over 1,000 resources in those areas.
The Environmental Competency Navigator debuted in June 2008. Since then, the Volpe Center has received extremely positive feedback from initial users, who have attested to the utility and originality of the online tool. Various transportation and environmental stakeholders have commented that the Navigator is a great way for practitioners to stay up to date in their fields, prepare them to do their jobs, and advance through the ranks. During FY 2009, the Volpe Center plans to incorporate additional interactive elements into the Navigator, such as "wiki" capability and Web 2.0 technologies. These enhancements, suggested by the Navigator's enthusiastic early users, demonstrate the high level of user acceptance and buy-in from policymakers and field professionals alike.
For more details go to http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecb/search.aspx. (Sponsored by DOT/FHWA)
Streamlining the Transportation-Project-Delivery Process through the Planning and Environmental Linkages Program
Major transportation projects take an average of 13 years to complete, with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) typically consuming about half that time. In order to streamline project delivery, FHWA set a goal of reducing the average processing time for an EIS to three years. To accomplish this, FHWA sought the help of the Volpe Center, which led to the development of the Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) program. PEL seeks to streamline the project-development and environmental-review processes by improving coordination among stakeholders and solidifying the connection between systems-level planning and project-level decision-making. For example, planning and environmental staff at transportation and resource agencies are encouraged to share information and tools and to begin working collaboratively early in the planning process. This approach minimizes duplication of effort and helps to make the life cycle of a transportation project seamless and more responsive to environmental concerns. Support provided by the Volpe Center to the PEL program has included:
- Outreach and communication materials to publicize the PEL approach.
- Research and information dissemination on effective practices in applying PEL concepts.
- Performance metrics and measurement of the progress and benefits of integrated planning and project development processes.
- Strategies to expand the PEL approach to include linkages between transportation and environmental planning and climate change, freight planning, and nonmotorized transportation.
The PEL approach holds great promise for reducing delays in transportation projects and for helping transportation agencies to balance safety, mobility, environmental, community, and economic goals. By adopting an integrated approach to decision-making, communities can work together to identify opportunities to support multiple goals and improve the quality of life within the project area. (Sponsored by DOT/FHWA)
Developing a Comprehensive Regional Plan for Metropolitan Chicago
Created in 2005 to integrate transportation and land-use planning in northeastern Illinois, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) has developed a long-range comprehensive regional plan known as GOTO2040. In addition to focusing on transportation and land-use issues, the plan will consider economic development, environmental and natural resources, housing, and human services. Through detailed and thorough technical analysis, effective public engagement, and innovative approaches to planning, GOTO2040 sets a high standard for long-range planning in the region. The centerpiece of the plan will be a scenario-evaluation process to identify policies and investments that can best move the region toward its desired future.
The Volpe Center supports CMAP in three key areas: (1) research on best practices and innovative thinking among peer organizations with regard to climate change/energy, public-private partnerships, and freight and security/emergency management; (2) development of strategy planning papers based on that research, which will examine scenarios of options for distinct sets of actions (policies, investments, and other key decisions and initiatives) to be taken in the region; and (3) development of transportation performance indicators for use in the detailed evaluation of scenarios.
Looking ahead, the Volpe Center will support CMAP in the development and implementation of public- and stakeholder-engagement activities. This will ensure maximum support for implementing the 2040 regional vision and for translating these activities into workable policies, strategies, and investments. CMAP presented the scenarios to its stakeholders in the late fall of 2008, will evaluate them in 2009, and recommend policies and supporting capital investments in 2010.
By distilling research findings, industry best practices, and innovative approaches of peer organizations to guide CMAP in tailoring the findings to the unique regional situation, the Volpe Center will help to deliver a comprehensive regional plan rooted in industry best practices that can serve as a model for metropolitan planning organizations throughout the Nation. To view the first strategy planning paper on climate change and energy, visit the CMAP website at http://www.goto2040.org/ideazone/default.aspx?id=11454. (Sponsored by CMAP)