National Efficient Transportation Decision Making Framework
Project Information
Project ID:
FHWA-PROJ-19-0059
Project Abstract:
To accelerate project delivery and reduce the regulatory burden on States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations, (MPOs), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will develop a national framework similar to Florida Department of Transportation’s efficient transportation decisionmaking (ETDM). States and MPOs will consider or use the framework during the required planning and environment review processes.
The existing ETDM process involves interagency coordination and preliminary environmental screening at the planning phase to ensure early identification of concerns and to develop a project’s purpose and need and preliminary alternatives in support of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase. This early interagency coordination and screening can build a strong foundation that in turn can lead to more efficient NEPA processes and timelines.
FHWA will review the ETDM framework to better link the planning and NEPA phases of a project and facilitate early and ongoing coordination among stakeholders for planning and environmental consideration. This early coordination can lead to long-term knowledge exchanges between resource agencies, transportation planners, and other stakeholders which also improves the flow of information and enables more constructive dialogue during NEPA reviews. FHWA’s national ETDM framework aims to support State and MPOs environmental policy that helps preserve and enhance the natural, physical, cultural, and social environment as they develop, implement, and maintain their transportation facilities and services.
Project Status:
Completed
Project Funding Amount (Contract Award Amount):
$236,227.00
Start Date:
End Date:
Public Access Plan:
Yes
Grant/Contract ID:
- 693JJ319P00065
FHWA Program Area:
- Planning, Environment, and Realty
Fiscal Year / AMRP Program / AMRP Activity:
- FY 2002-2022 / Planning, Environment, and Realty / Accelerating Project Delivery
- FY 2002-2022 / Planning, Environment, and Realty / Performance Based Planning
FHWA Activity:
- Data and Analysis
- Human Factors
Project Outputs:
Three State DOTs workshop, and summaries. A national Planning Environment Linkage framework.
Project Outcomes/Impact:
The outcomes for FHWA’s national ETDM framework are to have early identification of potential issues to inform the planning and NEPA project scope development, timely decisionmaking that includes consideration of environmental quality, full and early public and environmental resource agency participation, linkage between planning and project development and environment, and the incorporation of appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms during the planning process. Key features for this process are early and continuous agency and community involvement, early identification of potential avoidance, minimization and mitigation opportunities, access to Geographic Information System (GIS) data in standardized formats, the identification of potential key issues, and maximized use of technology for coordination and project screening during the planning process.
TASK ONE: Assessment of Existing Planning and NEPA Supportive Practices in Selected States
• Summary and PowerPoint of Existing NEPA Supportive Planning Practices
• Highlight Notable Practices from the 10 States
TASK TWO: Gap Analysis and Programmatic Framework – Technical Assistance (Three Workshops)
• Summary of Pre-Workshop Stakeholder Interviews
• Workshop Materials and PowerPoint
• Three (3) Virtual workshops (one for each state)
• Summary of Workshop Findings and Preliminary Recommendations on ETDM Process Framework Report
TASK THREE: Development of a National ETDM Framework Toolkit
• National ETDM Framework Toolkit
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Web-based Content
AMRP = Annual Modal Research Plan
Contact Information
First Name:
Cheng
Middle Initial:
J
Last Name:
Yan
Phone Number:
(202) 366-9206
Email Address:
Team:
Planning Capacity Building Team
Office:
Office of Planning
Office Code:
HEPP-20
Management Organizations
Sponsor Organization
Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty - Office of Planning
Contact Role:
Contract Office Representative
Contact:
Managing Organization
Organization Role:
Project Managing Organization
Organization:
Renaissance Planning
Contact Role:
Project Lead
Partners and Other Sponsor/Managing/Performing Organizations
Organization Role:
Project Managing Organization
Organization:
Renaissance Planning
Contact Role:
Project Lead