Committee on Environment &

Sustainability 2021 Webinar Series

Environmental Process Subcommittee

September 9, 2021

Environmental Process

September 9

Time Topic Presenter(s)

1:00 EST Rethinking I-94 Gloria Jeff and Sheila Kauppi, Minnesota DOT

1:45 I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project Nikotris Perkins and Megan Channell, Oregon DOT

2:30 BREAK

3:00 Committee Updates and Regulatory Discussion

- Noise

- Virtual Public Involvement

- NEPA Assignment

- Research

Jacque Annarino and Noel Alcala, Ohio DOT

Brandon Weston, Utah DOT

Daniel Burgin, Oregon DOT

3:25 FHWA Regulatory Discussion and Update James Gavin, FHWA

4:30 ADJOURN

Time Topic Presenter(s)

1:00 EST Welcome and Introductions Subcommittee Chair Jane Hann, Colorado DOT

Subcommittee Vice Chair Kris Gade, Arizona DOT

1:05 Reduce and Remove Micro-Plastics from Erosion

and Sediment Control Products

Ken Graeve, Minnesota DOT

1:35 Colorado DOT Wildlife Crossings Research Bryan Roeder, Colorado DOT

2:15 BREAK

2:45 Re-Use of Low-Level Contaminated Soils Ed Wallingford, Virginia DOT

Larry Hoffman, Ohio DOT

Shawn Rapp, Oregon DOT

3:20 Stream Mitigation Introduction Adrienne Earley, Ohio DOT

3:25 Stream Mitigation Programs and Delivery Methods

by Different States

Mario Mata, Texas DOT

Robert Pearson and Jennifer Gibson, Wisconsin DOT

Rod Hess, Utah DOT

Sean Marquis, Caltrans

4:25 Closing Remarks Jane Hann, Colorado DOT

Kris Gade, Arizona DOT

4:30 ADJOURN

Natural Resources

September 16

Time Topic Presenter(s)

1:00 EST Welcome and Introductions Subcommittee Chair Amanda Pietz, Oregon DOT

Subcommittee Vice Chair Tim Wood, Texas DOT

1:05 Federal Updates Laura Berry, EPA

Cecilia Ho and Mike Culp, FHWA

1:35 Project-Level Analysis Amanda Pietz, Oregon DOT

Peter Wasko, Minnesota DOT

Chris Porter, Cambridge Systematics

2:20 BREAK

2:45 Transportation Electrification Outlook and Panel Discussion Lucy McKenzie, Atlas Public Policy

Reza Farzaneh, Texas Transportation Institute

Tonia Buell, Washington DOT

Andrew Dick, Electrify America

Kandee Bahr Worley, Nevada DOT

4:30 ADJOURN

Air Quality, Climate Change & Energy

September 23

Time Topic Presenter(s)

1:00 EST Opening Remarks Subcommittee Chair Tony Opperman, Virginia DOT

1:05 Federal Perspective David Clarke, FHWA

Mandy Ranslow, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Jim Gabbert, National Park Service

2:00 Research Findings for Residential and Commercial Properties Emily Pettis and Christina Slattery, Mead & Hunt

2:30 BREAK

3:00 State DOT Lightning Round

- Each state DOT will have 5-7 minutes to share strategies

Scott Williams, Washington State DOT

Nikki Senn, Arkansas DOT

Jill Hupp, Caltrans

Barbara Stocklin, Colorado DOT

Lindsay Rothrock, Florida DOT

Anthony Ross, Indiana DOT

Anne Bruder, Maryland DOT

Karen Daniels, Missouri DOT

Jennifer Carpenter, Texas DOT

Sarah Clarke, Virginia DOT

4:15 Closing Remarks Subcommittee Vice Chair Sigrid Bergland, Michigan DOT

4:30 ADJOURN

Cultural Resources

September 30

ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS SUBCOMMITTEEAASHTO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

RE-THINKING I-94

I-5 ROSE QUARTER

Gloria Jeff, Minnesota DOT

Sheila Kauppi, Minnesota DOT

Nikotris Perkins, Oregon DOT

Megan Channell, Oregon DOT

NOISE GROUP

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

NEPA ASSIGMENT

RESEARCH

FHWA UpdateJames Gavin

Q&A: Cecilia Ho

Noel Alcala, Ohio DOT

Jacque Annarino, Ohio DOT

Brandon Weston, Utah DOT

Daniel Burgin, Oregon DOT

Rethinking I-94 / Livability

Sheila Kauppi, PE – Dep. District EngineerGloria J Jeff, AICP – Livability Director

September 9, 2021

mndot.gov

Overview

1. History of Project

2. Project Approach

3. Phase 1

4. Tiered Environmental Process

5. Unique Attributes

6. Rondo Land Bridge

7. Environmental Analysis

8. Current Status

9. Opportunities

10. Success Visions

11. Environmental Analysis

12. Livability

13. Summary

History: Behind the Initiative

Effects• Construction of Interstate 94 in the

1960s destroyed homes and businesses and disconnected neighborhoods

• Those most affected were predominantly lower income, minority or immigrant communities

• Led to a pattern of community distrust with the Minnesota Highway Department (now MnDOT)

10/5/2021 11

History: Behind the initiative

Now • MnDOT is committed to doing

better

• In 2015, MnDOT acknowledged past transportation policies that dismantled neighborhoods and apologized to the Rondo community

• Rethinking I-94 is a long-term effort to improve MnDOT’s engagement and relationships with communities

10/5/2021 12

Engagement Approach

10/5/2021 13

• People-centered

• Adaptable approach

• Impact where people live, work and gather

Engagement Approach

10/5/2021 14

• More than the minimum

• Tiered EIS

• Livability considerations

Tiered Environmental Impact Statement

• Why

• Length of the corridor

• Complexity – Federal and state environmental requirements

• Funding,

• Projects delivery schedule

10/5/2021 15

Project Organization

• Policy Advisory Committee – elected state, local officials and appointed officials

• Technical Advisory Committee

• Project Management Team

• Environmental Advisory Group

• Community representatives

• Modal committees

• Traffic

10/5/2021 16

Project Organization

• Planning and Policy Advisory Committee

• Traditional government agencies but representatives are policy and planning folks

• Additional stakeholders include – University of Minnesota, Capitol Area Planning and Architecture Board, Federal Highway Administration(on behalf of US DOT)

• Focus is on the Livability pillars and their inclusion in the evaluation of potential alternatives

10/5/2021 17

10/5/2021 18

RondoLandBridge

Environment Analysis

Traffic

Community Visions

Civic Voices

Environment Analysis

Traffic Pandemic Impacts

Climate Change

Transit usage

Environment Analysis

Community Visions Restorative Justice

Citywide organizations

Neighborhood organizations

National Advocates

Modal Advocates

Environment Analysis

Civic Voices Local council members/commissioners

State Legislators

Social Justice Advocates

What is happening with the project now?

Schedule

Schedule

Initial Products

Goals

Purpose and Need

Evaluation Criteria

Logical Termini

New Directions

Public Engagement

Roles of MnDOT

Community values beyond the transportation problem and solution

Open House

Livability Initiative

Parallel to Environmental Analysis

Informs Evaluation Criteria and Project Goals

Will be considered in the Alternatives Analysis steps of

the process

MnDOT’s Roles

FacilitatorWhile MnDOT’s primary mission is focused on transportation, the department also has the capacity to assist with other issues that may arise — from local transportation issues, to

housing and public health, to economic opportunity. While these are not issues MnDOT

controls, the agency has a role in the broader health of its communities. MnDOT staff often know an interest who to contact at other state

and local agencies for assistance.

PartnerFor issues or situations that cross over agency

disciplines or missions, MnDOT is a partner with communities and other agencies. Even though

MnDOT might not be leading a conversation or an investment, the agency may be involved in

important ways. Examples include bridges that cross a freeway or local roads that connect to a

MnDOT road.

LeaderFor issues related to the highway itself, MnDOT

is the leader and partners with local agencies and communities. This is the agency’s primary

and traditional mission. Examples include repairing pavement or addressing congestion

issues on the freeway.

Livability Framework

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Livability Framework for communities

MnDOT developed this framework based on what people expect from the project work. It will guide how we work design and evaluate projects in the future.

Livability Outcomes

• Adoption as part of the project development process for the Metro District

• A series of papers recommending collaborations, coordinated activities, policies and project recommendations(especially beyond the transportation need and solution) for all the government stakeholders.

• Papers were informed by the various Rethinking I-94 committees, comprehensive plans of the local governments, MnDOT internal leaders and community representatives

10/5/2021 Optional Tagline Goes Here | mndot.gov/ 32

Rethinking I-94 website Rethinking I-94 - MnDOT (state.mn.us)

Questions / Discussion

Thank you again!

Sheila Kauppi, PE – Dep. District EngineerGloria J Jeff, AICP – Livability Director

Sheila.kauppi@state.mn.usGloria.jeff@state.mn.us

10/5/2021 mndot.gov 35

September 9, 2021

ODOT: SOCIAL EQUITY &

I-5 ROSE QUARTER

IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Nikotris Perkins, Assistant Director - Social Equity

Megan Channell, Rose Quarter Project Director

BROADWAY BRIDGE

STEEL BRIDGE

FREMONT BRIDGE

WILLIAMS/VANCOUVER CORRIDOR

BROADWAY/WEIDLERCORRIDOR

37DOWNTOWN PORTLAND

1952

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Purpose and Need

Purpose: Improve safety and operations on I-5 between I-84 and I-405 and interchange area

Need:

• Top bottleneck in Oregon

• Ranked as 28th worst freight bottleneck in nation (2021)

• 12 hours of congestion each day

• Highest crash rate on urban interstate in Oregon

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Project History

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Equity acknowledges that not all people, or all communities, are starting from the same place due to historic and current systems of oppression.

Equity is the effort to provide different levels of support based on an individual’s or group’s needs in order to achieve fairness in outcomes.

Equity actionably empowers communities most impacted by systemic oppression and requires the redistribution of resources, power, and opportunity to those communities.

The Office of Social Equity is ensuring social equity is embedded into

the systems of Oregon Transportation Department of Transportation

as we work to fulfill our mission and honor our values.

We’re committed to: - Building a diverse workforce, supported by equitable operations and policies,

and establishing an informed culture that delivers authentic inclusivity.

- Promoting economic opportunity for Oregonians through transportation investments, including working with businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), women, and others who have been historically and/ or are currently marginalized.

- Utilizing the viewpoints of those who reside in the communities ODOT serves and who are likely to be affected by the decisions ODOT makes.

- Investing in the protection of marginalized communities from environmental hazards.

ODOT will prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion by identifying and addressing systemic barriers by 2030 to ensure all Oregonians benefit from transportation services and

investments.

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ODOT follows policies, processes and

procedures that promote a diverse

workforce.

ODOT has a strong partnership with

businesses owned by Black, Indigenous,

People of Color (BIPOC), women, and others who

have been historically and/ or are currently

marginalized.

All ODOT projects and programs prioritize social equity in their

planning and risk assessments.

All voices, regardless of social identity or social demographics, in the

communities that ODOT serves are heard and

their viewpoints influence agency

decisions.

Transportation investments benefit neighborhoods and

communities that have experienced systematic

harm in the past.

Industry and program partners are held

accountable to outcomes aligned with ODOT’s commitment to

social equity.

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2

As an agency that serves all of Oregon, the following are high level Social Equity Lens questions to think about how our work takes those that have been marginalized by our programs, projects, and policies into consideration.

1. How have or will historically excluded communities be informed, consulted, or involved?* What methods or tools were used for this engagement, be specific?

2. In what ways does this address the needs expressed by historically excluded communities? What are the benefits and burdens to those communities?

3. Does this affect a high social equity index area? If so, is there an opportunity to address economic or health disparities this community experiences.

4. Is there an opportunity in your work to increase safety and/or access the historically excluded that does not directly address the purpose of the project? If so, what is the cost or risk to ODOT? How do we mitigate the cost and/or risk?

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“Environmental justice” is the 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. For the purpose of this strategy, fair treatment means that no population, due to policy or economic disempowerment, is forced to bear a disproportionate burden of the negative human health and environmental impacts, including social and economic effects, resulting from transportation decisions, programs and policies made, implemented and enforced at the Federal, State, local or tribal level.

Environmental Assessment: Purpose and Need and Project Goals and Objectives

Adoption of Project Values

Early Lessons Learned

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Community re-building projects require consistent, focused and thoughtful effort to engage the community

Reputation and trust change slowly- action over words

Early Lessons Learned

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Early Lessons Learned

Example insights:• ODOT did NEPA well

• EA could have been more reader-friendly

• Surfaced specific design refinements to lower noise impacts

• Surfaced construction measures to lessen community impacts

• Remember we’re doing community building

Embrace peer reviews- they can offer useful insights: Environmental Peer Review

Link to Environmental Peer Review Reporthttps://www.i5rosequarter.org/library/

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Early Lessons Learned

Embrace peer reviews- they can offer useful insights: Independent Highway Cover Assessment

Link to Independent Cover Assessment Final Report: http://www.albinahighwaycovers.com/

THANK YOU

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BREAK

(30 minutes)

AASHTO ANNUAL MEETING-

NOISE COMMITTEE UPDATES

SEPTEMBER 2021

AASHTO Noise Work Group

▪ AASHTO Noise Work Group Coordinator since March 2016.

▪ 80 members in the group

▪ Bi-monthly calls with guest speakers (FHWA, consultants, truck noise expert, etc); Average 20-25 states per call. Minutes recorded for every call.

▪ Common agenda items are recent Q&As, 23CFR772 NPRM status, upcoming TNM3.1 release, state and national noise research, training events, ways to improve noise modeling, presence/absence of heavy truck stack noise, alternative noise mitigation measures, air quality effects from noise walls, pavement type/variation, etc.

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AASHTO Noise Work Group

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Q&A process and report. Check report before submitting question.

Over 600 pages of Q&A dating back to 2010!! Added 70 pages since 2020!!

255 Q&As on record Single question, Series of questions or Specific

project scenario This will be an important resource for years to

come!!

Recent Q&As

Provide links to current noise report templates

What is the potential of using some type of material draped

onto a chain link fence to reduce, at least, tire noise?

Does anyone have an example of an online open house for

noise barrier outreach that they’d be willing to share?

Has any state constructed a noise barrier for a cemetery

before? If so, how did it meet criteria?

Does your state allow noise (sound) barriers on structures

(bridges, retaining walls)? If so, send specs.

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New Noise Announcements/”Sound bites”

New Noise Announcements/Sound bites (what’s going on in your state noise-wise?). Submitted for ETAP Newsletter. Goal is to provide Sound bites every 6 months. Posted on AASHTO website

2nd round of sound bites posted March 2021.

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2nd Round of Noise Announcements/”Sound bites”

Ohio DOT

▪ Ohio DOT awarded noise wall construction projects in Akron, Columbus, Canton, and Toledo in 2021. Two projects in Akron consist of 442,000 SF and 5.4 miles of noise wall.

▪ Ohio DOT completed research regarding Air Quality Effects From Noise Walls And Vegetated Noise Walls. The results of the sampling indicated that there was not a significant decrease in PM2.5 due to the noise barriers.

▪ Ohio DOT began a Vinyl fence noise wall research project in March 2021. The project involves constructing one 8’ tall vinyl fence and testing it for noise reductions and comparing the reductions to nearby concrete noise walls. Also included is testing of existing 8’ and 12’ tall vinyl fence noise walls in ILL and VA.

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New Noise Announcements/”Sound bites”

Virginia DOT

▪ VA DOT is widening I-66 both inside and outside the beltway. The projects are approximately 23 miles in length and extend through multiple cities and counties including – Arlington County, Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, Town of Vienna and Prince William County. The I-66 projects are currently under construction and are expected to result in the construction of over 1.9 million Square Feet (SF) of noise barriers (new barriers and in-kind barrier replacement).

▪ VA DOT has a project is in Fredericksburg Virginia, I-95 Express Lanes Extension (FRED EX). The project area extends approximately ten miles and primarily consists of extending two reversible Express Lanes in the median of I-95. The project will add approximately 240,000 SF of noise barriers.

▪ VA DOT has an I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) project. The purpose of the project is to expand the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel . The project is in Hampton and Norfolk and is approximately 10 miles long. The project will add approximately 377,000 SF of noise barriers

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New Noise Announcements/”Sound bites”

Caltrans

▪ Caltrans researched the placement and distribution of vehicle sub-source energy which is used for noise impact analysis by DOTs. Numerous studies show current assumptions in the FHWA Traffic Noise Model analysis software may incorrectly assign too much vehicle energy to 12 ft positions above the pavement.

▪ Caltrans research project examined the acoustic insertion loss of a low berm. Like the Ohio DOT berm studies, a very large reduction in noise levels was measured. This paper hinted that the TNM assumptions on vehicle sub-source positioning may not be accurate.

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TRB Committee on Noise and Vibration (AEP80) 2021 Summer Meeting July 13 and 15, 2021

The following topics were presented:

▪ TNM Validation of Noise Measurements at Tunnel Openings

▪ Consideration of Quiet Pavement Surfaces (AZDOT)

▪ Alternatives to traditional barriers to reduce highway traffic noise

▪ Pavement Acoustic Mapping Technology Demonstration Project (Caltrans)

▪ MASH Crash Tested Noise Barrier systems

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TRB Committee on Noise and Vibration (AEP80) 2021 Summer Meeting July 13 and 15, 2021

Noise Research Session▪ California

Strong Support for the following noise research ideas:

Design-Build noise walls and DOT Policies and Practices

Low Berm Measuring And Modeling

(The Reference Energy Mean Emission Level (REMEL) database is an inventory of different vehicle noise levels which is used in the FHWA Traffic Noise Model analysis software. It is 25 years old and in need of updating. REMEL database update Submitted by AASHTO Noise Working Group last year

Acoustic Effectiveness of Inexpensive Short Noise Barriers / short concrete safety barriers as inexpensive sound walls being investigated and developed

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AASHTO Noise Work Group

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DOTs are interested in more abatement options. This can help with addressing the equity topic as needed

Last AASHTO Noise Work Group bi-monthly call was 9/7/21. Next call is 11/2/21.

Questions, comments, concerns?

387-0

Noel Alcala, Noise and Air Quality Coordinator, 614-466-5222, noel.alcala@dot.ohio.gov

Erica Schneider, Assistant Environmental Administrator, 614-387-0134

Tim Hill, Administrator, CES VC, 614-644-0377

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AASHTO PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT WORK GROUP UPDATECOMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY ANNUAL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Jacque Annarino, Ohio DOT

NEPA Assignment & Public Involvement Coordinator

66 |

AASHTO PI WORK GROUP

o Created June 2020

o 55 members/26 states

o Q&A Report

o 21 pages

o Monthly calls

o NO ASSIGNMENTS!

o Sounding board for new ideas

o Resource for each other

o Discuss what’s going on nationally

AASHTO CES Annual Meeting – PI Work Group Update – September 9, 2021

public involvement - Bing images

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TOPICS DISCUSSED

o Virtual PI with focus on Meetings/Hearings

o Safe in-person events

o EJ and rural outreach

o How to handle social media comments

o Use of changeable message signs

o Collecting demographics/Title VI info from PI

participants

o Use of incentives to encourage participation

AASHTO CES Annual Meeting – PI Work Group Update – September 9, 2021

68 |

POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES

AASHTO CES Annual Meeting – PI Work Group Update – September 9, 2021

o How can we leverage what we’ve learned?

o Best practices for combining virtual and in-person PI

o Who are we missing and how do we reach them?

o What are other agencies doing? Can we use any of it?

o What does successful data collection look like?

o New technologies

o Research ideas

o How can we continue to progress when we get “back

to normal”?

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POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES

AASHTO CES Annual Meeting – PI Work Group Update – September 9, 2021

o Upcoming events

o AASHTO TransComm Virtual Meeting

o September 21-23

o https://meetings.transportation.org/event/2021-aashto-

transcomm-virtual-meeting/

o IAP2 North American Virtual Conference

o September 13-16

o https://web.cvent.com/event/a3bce9fb-5d56-42ef-8b70-

bc483e1df489/summary

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WHAT’S NEXT?

AASHTO CES Annual Meeting – PI Work Group Update – September 9, 2021

o Next Meeting: October 12, 2021

o Looking for your input:

o Questions/concerns/issues you have that need addressed

o Innovations or ideas that others might find helpful

o Guest speaker recommendations

o Additional states to join us

o Please contact me to be added to the group

pumpkin clip art - Bing images

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THANK YOU!

Jacque Annarino

Jacque.Annarino@dot.ohio.gov

614-466-1484

AASHTO CES Annual Meeting – PI Work Group Update – September 9, 2021

Assignment States• California• Texas• Ohio• Florida• Utah• Alaska• Arizona• Nebraska

States Applying• Maine

NEPA Assignment Workgroup

PHONE

-A-

FRIEND

NEPA Assignment Workgroup

AASHTO Environmental Process Research Update

• Research Problem Statement Submittals for FY2023 NCHRP funding

• Update the National Reference Mean Energy Level (REMEL) Database Used in FHWA Traffic Noise Model (TNM)

• Prepared by Bruce Rymer (CalTRANS, AASHTO Noise Work Group)

• Successful Practices in Tracking and Implementing Environmental Comittments

• Prepared by Helen Blackmore (CalTRANS, AASHTO Cultural Resources Subcommittee)

• Ideas for possible future submittal for NCHRP Synthesis funding

• Successful Approaches for Using the Section 4(f) Net Benefit Programmatic Evaluation to Streamline Section 4(f) Compliance