WORKSHOPS
 

SESSION #120, Hilton

Measuring Ecosystem Effects in the Emerging World of Ecosystem Markets
Kevin Halsey, Parametrix, Inc., presiding

Sponsored by:
Ecology and Transportation Committee (ADC30)

The focus is on new approaches for measuring change in performance of ecosystem functions and how they can be creatively used in a variety of contexts, including using ecosystem measurement tools to (a) develop and implement outcome-based performance standards and improve programmatic agreements; (b) aid EMS development, implementation, and tracking; (c) aid alternatives analysis in NEPA documents; and (d) structure mitigation programs that make better ecological sense and provide better results.

Ecosystem Measurement Tools: What Is Available, How to Evaluate, and What to Look for
Jimmy Kagan, Institute for Natural Resources
Gail Achterman, Oregon State University

Using Ecosystem Measurement Tools for Better Integrated and Much Improved Planning and Permitting Processes
Kevin Halsey, Parametrix, Inc.

Better Integration of Environmental Management Systems
John Roland, USDA Forest Service

National Environmental Policy Act
Jeff Heilman, Parametrix, Inc.

Mitigation
Kevin Halsey, Parametrix, Inc.

Tying It All Together
Jeff Heilman, Parametrix, Inc.

Sponsored by:
Committee on Environmental Analysis in Transportation (ADC10)
Committee on Transportation and Air Quality (ADC20)
Committee on Ecology and Transportation (ADC30)
Committee on Transportation-Related Noise and Vibration (ADC40)
Committee on Historic and Archeological Preservation in Transportation (ADC50)
Committee on Waste Management and Resource Efficiency in Transportation (ADC60)
Committee on Marine Environmental (AW030)
Committee on Environmental Issues in Transportation Law (AL050)
Committee on Conduct of Research (ABG10)

The workshop explores the transportation environmental research process, including generating research ideas, promoting ideas to constituencies, prioritizing ideas, funding research (e.g., funding pools; funding partnerships with agencies, organizations, private companies), completing research, populating research databases, promoting completed research, and capturing successes/failures in research implementation. (This workshop will not be about creating and proposing specific research ideas.)

Workshop Opening: Mark Kross, Chair, TRB Committee for Environmental Analysis in Transportation (ADC10)

Session 1:

From Unmet Research Idea Generation to Formal Research Needs Statement
Moderator: Laurie McGinnis, Associate Director, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota and Chair, TRB Committee on Conduct of Research (ABG10)

Panelists:

The Conduct of Transportation Environmental Research
Leni Oman, Director, Office of Research & Library Services, Washington State Department of Transportation

Transportation & Environmental, Research, Ideas, Database
Joe Crossett, High Street Consulting Group

Research Problem Statement
Chris Hedges, Senior Program Officer, TRB Cooperative Research Program

Session 2:

From Research Need Prioritization to Promotion, Sponsorship, and Funding of Research Programs and Projects

Moderator:

Wayne Kober, Emeritus Member, TRB Committee for Environmental Analysis in Transportation, ADC10
From Prioritizing Research Needs to Promotion, Sponsorship, & Funding or Research Programs & Projects

Panelists:

Funding Research Needs -State DOT Perspective
Nancy Chinlund, Chief, Research Program Development Branch
Division of Research and Innovation, California Department of Transportation

SAFETEA-LU Directed Title V Planning & Environment Research
Shari Schaftlein, Team Lead, Program/Policy Development, FHWA Office of Planning, Environment & Realty FHWA

Environmental Research in Transportation at the University
James Martin, Associate Director, Center for Transportation and the Environment

Session 3:

From Research Project Procurement to Published Research Project

Moderator:

Adam Alexander, FHWA Noise Team
Research Databases

Panelists:

Finding Panel Members
Nanda Srinivasan, Senior Program Officer, TRB Cooperative Research Program

From Research Project Procurement to Published Research Project
Hau Hagedorn, Research Program Manager, Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium

From Procurement to Published Research
Moy Biswas, State Research and Analysis Engineer, North Carolina DOT

Session 4:

From Completed Research Project to Promotion and Implementation of New Practices

Moderator:

Gary McVoy, Director, Operations and Maintenance, New York State Department of Transportation

Panelists:

Promotion & Implementation of New Practices
Mara Campbell, Organizational Results Director, Missouri Department of Transportation
Emma Jones, Missouri Department of Transportation

FHWA-Linking Research to Practice
Shari Schaftlein, Team Lead, Program/Policy Development, FHWA Office of Planning, Environment & Realty FHWA

Environmental Research – Making a Difference
Pat Casey, CEO, CTC and Associates

Closing: What will you use from today’s workshop?
Moderator, Joe Shalkowski, PBS&J

Session #174 is also available as a TRB Technical Activities e-Sessions

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 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

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WORKSHOPS

10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

3:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Partnerships Toward Ecological and Cultural Sustainability: Application of Peer-to-Peer Information-Sharing Technology to Enhance the Development and Delivery of Transportation Projects in a World of Changing Climates and Declining Budgets
Joseph A Burns, USDA Forest Service, presiding
Shari M. Schaftlein, Federal Highway Administration, presiding

Sponsored by:
Ecology and Transportation Committee (ADC30)
Geographic Information Science and Applications Committee (ABJ60)
Environmental Justice in Transportation Committee (ADD50)
Historic and Archeological Preservation in Transportation Committee (ADC50)
Environmental Analysis in Transportation Committee (ADC10)

Transportation agencies are challenged to balance individual stakeholder interests with legal requirements to optimize a broad range of disciplines and overlapping agency jurisdictions. Attendees will participate in a discussion on the use of peerto- peer information-sharing technology to improve communication and collaboration by using tools such as webinars, wikis, and data portals and warehouses. Attendees are encouraged to share their successes and challenges.

A Framework for Integrating Transportation and Environment
Developing Transportation Projects Using Ecosystem-Based Approach
Raja Veeramachaneni, Federal Highway Administration

Sustaining Mission Readiness While Protecting Natural Resources
Jan Larkin, U.S. Department of Defense

Coordination of Flood Risk Management
Tammy Comforti, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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WORKSHOPS

10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Transportation Demand Management and the National Environmental Policy Act Process: Fresh Look at Incorporating Transportation Demand Management Strategies as Creative Transportation Alternatives
Charles "Muggs" Stoll, San Diego Association of Governments, presiding

Sponsored by:
Environmental Analysis in Transportation Committee (ADC10)
Ecology and Transportation Committee (ADC30)
Metropolitan Policy, Planning, and Processes Committee (ADA20)

Given escalation of energy costs and focus on addressing greenhouse gas emissions through VMT reduction, the session describes various TDM strategies and considerations needed to develop alternative transportation approaches suitable to serve all communities, including low-income populations. Discussion includes legal considerations and flexibility and/or regulatory support for including TDM in planning for projects. Two regional representatives present program examples, barriers, and new ideas.

Panel Discussion
Richard Record, RL Record, LLC
Fred R. Wagner, Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Incorporating Ecology in Transportation Planning and Design
Thomas E. Linkous, Westerville, Ohio (Ohio Department of Transportation, retired), presiding

Sponsored by:
Ecology and Transportation Committee (ADC30)

Methods to mitigate ecological impacts during planning and design of transportation projects are addressed in this session.

Issues and Methods for Transdisciplinary Planning of Combined Wildlife and Pedestrian Highway Crossings (Paper)
John Ahern, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Paige Warren, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
John Mullin, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Zenia Kotval, Michigan State University
Scott Adam Civjan, University of Massachusetts
Sergio Brena, University of Massachusetts
Noah Charney, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Ethan Carr, University of Virginia
Scott D. Jackson, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Lee Jenning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Beth Fenstermacher, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Using Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling and Fish Swimming Energetics to Assess Culverts as Potential Physical Barriers to Upstream Fish Movement (Paper)
Matt Blank, Western Transportation Institute
Joel Cahoon, Montana State University, Bozeman
Tom McMahon, Montana State University, Bozeman

New Connections in Ecological Planning for Transportation: Understanding and Addressing Barriers to Ecosystem Management and Strategic Conservation (Paper)
Marie Venner, Venner Consulting
Jeff Heilman, Parametrix, Inc.
Paul Manson, Parametrix, Inc.

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