Social, Environmental, and Institutional Issues Flashcards
Purpose of NEPA process
For agencies to evaluate environmental and related social and economic affects of their proposed actions, and provide opportunity for public review/comment
What determines the level of environmental documentation?
the significance of the impact (not its size or cost)
How is a project classified that has no significant impact?
Categorical Exclusion (CATEX)
What document is prepared if the project doesn’t fit a categorical exclusion?
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Next step if an EA determines there is no significant impact?
A Finding of No Significant Impact is issued (FONSI)
Next step if an EA determines there is a significant impact?
An Environmental Impact Statement is prepared (EIS)
What is included in an EA?
- Purpose & Need statement
- Alternatives
- Environmental Impacts of proposed action and alternatives
- Listing of agencies and persons consulted
What are the steps in the EIS process?
- Publishing a Notice of Intent
- Draft EIS is published for public review, minimum of 45 days
- Final EIS is published, providing responses to substantive comments
- Record of Decision (ROD) issued
What information does the ROD include?
Explains agency’s decisions
Describes alternatives considered
Discussed agency’s plans for mitigation and/or monitoring
What are the four major transportation related pollutants?
Ozone (O3) and precursors
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
Particulate matter (PM)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Particulate Matter
mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air
Ozone
major component of smog
Non-attainment Areas
Areas that do not meet the NAAQS (air quality standards), states must develop implementation plans to attain the standards for each non-attainment area
Maintenance Area
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
CMAQ program
provides flexible funding for projects and programs to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act
Noise Control Act of 1972
established a national policy to promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health and welfare
3 factors that affect highway traffic noise levels
- traffic volumes
- traffic speeds
- number of trucks in the flow of traffic
Travel Demand Models
used to identify and predict mass movements of persons within a specified study area
Trip Generation
predicting the number of person trip ends generated by and attracted to each defined zone in a study area
Trip Distribution
connected trip ends to determine the number of trips between each zone
Mode Choice
determines the mode of transportation to be used on each zone connection
Trip Assignment
assigns trips to specific highways and determines resulting projected highway volumes
Complete Streets
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
Context Sensitive Solutions
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
Shared Mobility types
bike-sharing
car-sharing
ride-sourcing (über)
ride-sharing (carpooling)
electric bikes and scooters
What agency is the umbrella for all federal transportation policies and regulations?
USDOT
What agency is responsible for motor vehicle and highway transportation safety standards and regulations?
NHTSA
What agency is responsible for laws pertaining to commercial freight and the maintenance and preservation of highways, tunnels, and bridges?
FHWA
MUTCD
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
Environmental Justice (EJ)
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
