Social, Environmental, and Institutional Issues

Question 1

Purpose of NEPA process

Answer 1

For agencies to evaluate environmental and related social and economic affects of their proposed actions, and provide opportunity for public review/comment

Question 2

What determines the level of environmental documentation?

Answer 2

the significance of the impact (not its size or cost)

Question 3

How is a project classified that has no significant impact?

Answer 3

Categorical Exclusion (CATEX)

Question 4

What document is prepared if the project doesn’t fit a categorical exclusion?

Answer 4

Environmental Assessment (EA)

Question 5

Next step if an EA determines there is no significant impact?

Answer 5

A Finding of No Significant Impact is issued (FONSI)

Question 6

Next step if an EA determines there is a significant impact?

Answer 6

An Environmental Impact Statement is prepared (EIS)

Question 7

What is included in an EA?

Answer 7

• Purpose & Need statement
• Alternatives
• Environmental Impacts of proposed action and alternatives
• Listing of agencies and persons consulted

Question 8

What are the steps in the EIS process?

Answer 8

1. Publishing a Notice of Intent
2. Draft EIS is published for public review, minimum of 45 days
3. Final EIS is published, providing responses to substantive comments
4. Record of Decision (ROD) issued

Question 9

What information does the ROD include?

Answer 9

Explains agency’s decisions
Describes alternatives considered
Discussed agency’s plans for mitigation and/or monitoring

Question 10

What are the four major transportation related pollutants?

Answer 10

Ozone (O3) and precursors
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
Particulate matter (PM)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Question 11

Particulate Matter

Answer 11

mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air

Question 12

Ozone

Answer 12

major component of smog

Question 13

Non-attainment Areas

Answer 13

Areas that do not meet the NAAQS (air quality standards), states must develop implementation plans to attain the standards for each non-attainment area

Question 14

Maintenance Area

Answer 14

Any geographic region of the US that was previously a non attainment area but was redesignated as an attainment area subject to the development of a maintenance plan

Question 15

CMAQ program

Answer 15

provides flexible funding for projects and programs to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act

Question 16

Noise Control Act of 1972

Answer 16

established a national policy to promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health and welfare

Question 17

3 factors that affect highway traffic noise levels

Answer 17

• traffic volumes
• traffic speeds
• number of trucks in the flow of traffic

Question 18

Travel Demand Models

Answer 18

used to identify and predict mass movements of persons within a specified study area

Question 19

Trip Generation

Answer 19

predicting the number of person trip ends generated by and attracted to each defined zone in a study area

Question 20

Trip Distribution

Answer 20

connected trip ends to determine the number of trips between each zone

Question 21

Mode Choice

Answer 21

determines the mode of transportation to be used on each zone connection

Question 22

Trip Assignment

Answer 22

assigns trips to specific highways and determines resulting projected highway volumes

Question 23

Complete Streets

Answer 23

streets designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users - all ages, abilities, regardless of whether they’re traveling as drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or transit riders

Question 24

Context Sensitive Solutions

Answer 24

consider not only the goals of safety and mobility, but also the goals of the surrounding community. Includes factors such as land use, aesthetics, historical considerations, and environmental quality

Question 25

Shared Mobility types

Answer 25

bike-sharing
car-sharing
ride-sourcing (über)
ride-sharing (carpooling)
electric bikes and scooters

Question 26

What agency is the umbrella for all federal transportation policies and regulations?

Answer 26

USDOT

Question 27

What agency is responsible for motor vehicle and highway transportation safety standards and regulations?

Answer 27

NHTSA

Question 28

What agency is responsible for laws pertaining to commercial freight and the maintenance and preservation of highways, tunnels, and bridges?

Answer 28

FHWA

Question 29

MUTCD

Answer 29

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

national standard fora ll traffic controls devices installed on any street, highway, bikeway, or private road open to public travel

Question 30

Environmental Justice (EJ)

Answer 30

fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, national origin, or educational level with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies